Removing and installing ribbed belt, 4 cylinder engine — VW
Removing and installing ribbed belt, 4 cylinder engine on VW: factory workshop procedure. Full factory text, tools and checks.
Workshop procedure for VW — the factory write-up, straight from real workshop data.
📋 Procedure
ℹ️ Torque figures below come verbatim from workshop data — always cross-check against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening.
Notes:
Before removing the ribbed belt mark direction of rotation and observe when installing. Installing opposite to the direction of rotation leads to belt damage!
If damage is established, to prevent failure or functional faults the ribbed belt must be replaced immediately!
Belt drive without tensioning roller
Belt drive with tensioning roller => Page
27-52
Removing ribbed belt
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items
3297 Lever
Loosen alternator securing bolts -1- and -2- at least one turn.
Lower alternator with lever 3297 and remove ribbed belt from generator pulley.
Removing P.A.S. vane pump ribbed belt:
=> Running gear; Repair group 48; assembly overview: vane pump, reservoir, hydraulic pipes, removing and installing V-belt.
Running gear
assembly overview: vane pump, reservoir, hydraulic pipes, removing and installing V-belt.
Remove ribbed belt.
Installing ribbed belt
Install alternator with bolts -1- and -2-.
The tensioning spring guide cap must locate in the mounting on the alternator!
Screw bolt -1- in until the threaded bush contacts the bracket. The alternator must still move freely.
Place ribbed belt on crankshaft pulley, vibration damper and coolant pump pulley.
Note:
When installing used ribbed belts observe the direction of rotation marked on removal!
When fitting the belt ensure the ribbed belt locates correctly in the pulleys!
Installing P.A.S. vane pump V-belt:
=> Running gear; Repair group 48; assembly overview: vane pump, reservoir, hydraulic pipes, removing and installing V-belt.
Running gear
assembly overview: vane pump, reservoir, hydraulic pipes, removing and installing V-belt.
Lower alternator 3297 and fit ribbed belt to alternator pulley.
Note:
If the engine is out of the vehicle, do not proceed further until engine has been refitted.
Push alternator down at least 3 times onto stop with tensioning lever 3297 to ensure the alternator moves freely.
With the alternator still loose run engine for at least 10 secs. at idling speed.
Switch off engine and tighten alternator securing bolts:
1.Securing bolt -2- , 25 Nm
2.Securing bolt -1- , 25 Nm
Note:
When tightening keep to the sequence given, do not use the alternator for support and do not touch ribbed belt.
Belt drive with tensioning roller
Removing ribbed belt
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items
3299 Lever
Lift tensioner with lever 3299 and remove ribbed belt from the alternator pulley.
Removing P.A.S. vane pump V-belt:
=> Running gear; Repair group 48; assembly overview: vane pump, reservoir, hydraulic pipes, removing and installing V-belt.
Running gear
assembly overview: vane pump, reservoir, hydraulic pipes, removing and installing V-belt.
Remove ribbed belt
Installing ribbed belt
Fit ribbed belt to crankshaft pulley/vibration damper and coolant pump pulley.
Note:
When fitting used ribbed belts observe the direction of rotation marked on removal!
When fitting the belt ensure the ribbed belt locates correctly in the pulleys!
Install P.A.S. vane pump V-belt:
=> Running gear; Repair group 48; assembly overview: vane pump, reservoir, hydraulic pipes, removing and installing V-belt.
Running gear
assembly overview: vane pump, reservoir, hydraulic pipes, removing and installing V-belt.
Belt drive without A/C compressor
Lift tensioning roller with 3299 and fit ribbed belt to generator pulley
Note:
When fitting ribbed belt ensure it locates correctly in the pulleys!
Lower tensioning roller onto ribbed belt with 3299
Belt drive with A/C compressor
TorqFix answers live for your specific car — tell it the engine code and it serves the matching sequence, torque figures and wiring for that exact variant.
Ask about my car →🎬 Video walkthrough
Independent video tutorial by AUTODOC (YouTube) — a helpful visual companion to the steps above.
How to change serpentine belt on VOLKSWAGEN GOLF 3 (1H1)
Other VW procedures
Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.