Timing belt replacement: VW Polo4 1.0 (ARA)

🧭 Before you start

Support the engine, remove the engine mount and bracket, and lower it to reach the crankshaft pulley. Take off the covers, ancillary belt tensioner and pulley, set TDC on cylinder 1 and lock the camshaft gearwheels. Fit the belt, set the tensioner until its marks align, tighten it, remove the locking tool and turn the engine twice to recheck. Refit the pulley on new oiled bolts, the drive belt, engine mount with new bolts, covers and air filter.

Fits: VW Jetta VI (16, 2010–2018); platform code 1.0

• Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job
• Special tools named: locking tool

Don't miss

• The ground-down tooth on the crankshaft gear must align with the oil pump mark.
• Engage the tensioner base plate cut-out over its securing bolt before setting tension.
• Tension is right when the tensioner marks align; repeat if the pointer sits outside the window.
• Renew and lubricate the crankshaft pulley bolts, and use new engine mount bolts.
• Never turn the engine backwards during or after the belt fit.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

📐 20 workshop diagrams for ARA

Real factory drawings for this job — timing marks, bolt locations and routing. Locked in the free view.

📋 Procedure

Preparation and removal

1. The tensioner mark should move sideways
2. Never turn the engine in the direction opposite to that of normal operation
3. The tension is set if the marks are aligned
4. Remove the timing belt upper cover
5. Remove the timing belt upper cover

6. Remove the engine lower cover
7. Check the belt(s) for cracks, fraying, wear and oil contamination
8. Lower the engine until the pulley-securing bolt is accessible
9. Use a special tool to hold the crankshaft pulley
10. Vehicles with air conditioning:
11. Remove the ancillary drive belt tensioner
12. Remove the timing belt lower cover
13. Turn the crankshaft to TDC for cylinder 1
14. Note: The tooth with the end ground down must align with the mark on the oil pump
15. Check the camshaft gearwheel marks
16. Camshaft gearwheels:
17. Fit the camshaft gearwheel locking tool
18. Remove the timing belt
19. Remove the camshaft locking tool
20. Turn the tensioner clockwise
21. Fit the tensioner pulley
22. Note: The cut-out in the base plate must engage over the securing bolt
23. Remove the tensioner pulley
24. Remove the crankshaft pulley centre bolt

Installation and checks

25. Use new bolts
26. Fit the timing belt
27. Fit the tensioner pulley
28. Turn the tensioner pulley clockwise
29. Push the tensioner pulley against the timing belt
30. Turn the tensioner anti-clockwise to align both marks
31. Tighten the tensioner pulley bolt
32. Remove the camshaft locking tool
33. Note: The tooth with the end ground down must align with the mark on the oil pump
34. Fit the camshaft gearwheel locking tool
35. Refit the idler pulley
36. Turn the tensioner clockwise to align both marks
37. Tighten the tensioner pulley bolt
38. Remove the camshaft locking tool
39. Turn the engine 2 rotations by hand
40. Ensure that the tensioner marks are aligned
41. Note: Repeat the procedure if the needle is outside the specified area
42. Refit the timing belt lower cover
43. Crankshaft pulley refitting tool:
44. Stage 1:
45. Refit the crankshaft pulley
46. Renew and lubricate the bolts
47. Use a special tool to hold the crankshaft pulley
48. Vehicles with air conditioning:
49. Fit the ancillary drive belt tensioner
50. Fit the ancillary drive belt
51. Stage 1:
52. Engine mount:
53. Stage 2:
54. Refit the engine mount
55. Engine support bracket:
56. Coolant pump:
57. Remove the engine support tool
58. Refit the timing belt upper cover
59. Refit the engine lower cover
60. Refit the air filter

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