Timing belt replacement: VW Polo4 1.4 (AUA, AUB, BBY, BBZ, …)

🧭 Before you start

Access means the upper timing cover, air filter, lower engine cover, front right wheel and ancillary belt off, then the engine supported on a hoist so the engine support and bracket can be removed and the engine lowered to the crankshaft pulley. The crankshaft pulley is held with a special tool while its bolt comes out. The new belt is fitted anti-clockwise from the coolant pump, the tensioner turned clockwise to align its marks, and the engine turned 2 rotations to confirm the marks before the covers, supports, belt, reservoir and wheel go back.

Fits: VW Jetta VI (16, 2010–2018); platform code 1.4

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

Don't miss

• Engine must be cold before the tensioner is set.
• Never turn the engine against its normal direction of rotation.
• Fit the camshaft gearwheel locking tool before the belt comes off; remove it before turning the engine.
• Fit the new belt anti-clockwise starting at the coolant pump, then align both tensioner marks.
• Turn the engine 2 rotations by hand and re-check the marks; repeat if the needle sits outside the area.
• Renew and lubricate the crankshaft pulley bolts and renew the engine mount bolts as the steps call for.

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

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

📋 Procedure

Preparation and removal

1. Never turn the engine in the direction opposite to that of normal operation
2. Remove the timing belt upper cover
3. Remove the air filter
4. Remove the engine lower cover
5. Note: The engine must be cold before timing belt adjustment

6. Note: Avoid bending, torsion or traction
7. Remove the front right wheel
8. Guide pulley:
9. Idler pulley:
10. Remove the ancillary drive belt
11. Coolant pump
12. Align the timing marks
13. Camshaft timing belt:
14. Fit the camshaft gearwheel locking tool
15. Engine support bracket:
16. Use a hoist to support the engine
17. Raise the engine slightly
18. Remove the coolant reservoir
19. Note: Do not disconnect the hose(s)
20. Remove the upper securing bolt from the lower timing cover
21. Raise the engine slightly
22. Remove the engine support bolts
23. Remove the engine support
24. Remove the engine support bracket
25. Lower the engine until the pulley-securing bolt is accessible
26. Remove the crankshaft pulley
27. Stage 1:
28. Use a special tool to hold the crankshaft pulley
29. Refit the bolt with two washers and tighten to secure the toothed belt gearwheel
30. Vehicles with air conditioning:
31. Remove the ancillary drive belt tensioner
32. Remove the camshaft locking tool
33. Remove the crankshaft pulley centre bolt

Installation and checks

34. The tensioner mark should move sideways
35. Fit the timing belt in an anti-clockwise direction, starting at the coolant pump
36. Loosen the tensioner pulley bolt
37. Position the tensioner as shown
38. Stage 2:
39. Remove the tensioner pulley
40. Turn the tensioner clockwise to align both marks
41. Tighten the tensioner pulley bolt
42. Remove the camshaft locking tool
43. Turn the engine 2 rotations by hand
44. Turn the tensioner clockwise
45. Remove the tensioner pulley
46. Remove the second timing belt
47. Ensure that the tensioner marks are aligned
48. Note: Repeat the procedure if the needle is outside the specified area
49. Refit the timing belt lower cover
50. Refit the crankshaft pulley
51. Renew and lubricate the bolts
52. Use a special tool to hold the crankshaft pulley
53. Refit the engine support bracket
54. Vehicles with air conditioning:
55. Fit the ancillary drive belt tensioner
56. Refit the engine mount
57. Renew the bolt(s)
58. Remove the engine support tool
59. Refit the timing belt upper cover
60. Fit the ancillary drive belt
61. Refit the front right splash guard
62. Refit the front right wheel
63. Refit the engine lower cover
64. Refit the coolant reservoir
65. Refit the air filter

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