Toothed belt semi-automatic tensioning pulley - check — VW

🧭 Before you start

Remove the air filter body, lower noise insulation and right wheel housing cover, then the ribbed belt, heat deflector, ribbed belt tensioner, crankshaft pulley and timing covers. Turn the crankshaft twice to cylinder 1 TDC, note the indicator arm position and press the belt firmly to check it moves. Release, turn twice more and confirm the arm returns; renew the tensioner if it does not. Refit the covers, the crankshaft pulley (15 Nm + 40°), the heat baffle and deflector plate (10 Nm each) and the ribbed belt, checking it sits correctly on every pulley.

Fits: platform codes 9A2, 9A4, 9A5, 9A1, 9A3, 9A6

• Timing position: the crankshaft or camshaft is set and locked during this job
• Renewed: belt tensioning

Don't miss

• Mark the ribbed belt rotation direction before removing it.
• Always turn the crankshaft in the engine's direction of rotation.
• The indicator arm must return to its original position after two turns; if not, renew the tensioner.
• Crankshaft pulley goes to 15 Nm + 40°; check the fastening as it goes on.
• Check the ribbed belt is properly seated on every pulley after refitting.

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

🔧 Engine codes this applies to

🔩 Torque settings

Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.

ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.

📋 Procedure

1. Remove air filter body .
2. Remove lower noise insulation from engine compartment.
3. Remove right front wheel case cover: General body repairs, exterior66External equipment.
4. Mark Poly-V belt rotation direction and remove it .
5. Remove the heat deflector from the exhaust manifold.

6. Remove the tensioning pulley from the Poly-V belt.
7. Remove crankshaft pulley.
8. Remove mechanical distribution lower and upper covers.
9. Turn crankshaft twice in the engine rotation direction until it is in cylinder 1 TDC.
10. Memorize the position of the belt tensioning indicator arm (arrow). Press thumb with force (arrow)on the timing belt. The indicator arm should move.
11. Release toothed belt.
12. Turn the crankshaft twice in the direction that the engine turns.
13. Check the position of the indicator arm. It must return to the original position.
14. Replace the belt tensioning.
15. Install the lower and upper covers of the mechanical distribution.
16. Install the crankshaft pulley (check the fastening). Tightening torque: 15 Nm + 40°. — 15 Nm (11 lb-ft) + 40°
17. Install Poly-V belt tensioning element. Tightening torque:
18. Install exhaust manifold heat baffle. Tightening torque: 10 Nm. — 10 Nm (7.4 lb-ft)
19. Install Poly-V belt . [Note: While installing the Poly-V belt, carefully check the proper seating of the belt on the pulley.]
20. Install the right front wheel case cover: General body repairs, exterior66External equipment.
21. Install engine compartment lower noise insulation.
22. Install air filter housing .

Other VW procedures

• Crankshaft - remove and install
• Intake manifold, front exhaust tube with catalytic converter, intermediate silencer and installation parts
• Crankshaft and flywheel flanges - remove and install
• Tensioning element without adjustment · 10 torque figures
• Flange with Engine speed sensor G28 rotor - install · 8 torque figures
• Removing engine · 41 torque figures
• Removing and installing camshaft – VW Golf Cabriolet · 47 torque figures
• Adjusting valve timing – VW Passat B5 · 83 torque figures
• Removing and installing camshafts – VW Passat B6 · 39 torque figures
• Removing and installing coolant pump · 53 torque figures