123quattro

While diagnosing a radiator leak, I realized I needed to pull it and get it fixed. While the radiator was out, I figured I may as well check the cam belt. The PO mentioned it might need retensioning as it was relatively new. I pulled all the covers and the belt was very, very loose. A little searching here and I found the info on how the timing marks are set up. I also found that the bolt holding the tensioner arm was less than finger tight and it was flopping around as well. I got that tightened up, tensioned the belt, and checked the cam wheels. The passenger side was retarded two teeth. I'm looking forward to driving the car with the cam clocked correctly, once I get the radiator back in.

Just wanted to say thanks for all the information I've found here.

PorKen

That's 30° retard! It should run much, much, better, now.

Did you use a torque wrench on the tensioner arm shoulder bolt? It is easy to overtorque that one.

jpitman2

Also a VERY good idea to re-torque the cam wheel bolts on a 16V, so they cant loosen off and eventually break the end of the cam off...
jp 83 Euro S AT 51k

123quattro

No, I just snugged it up until it felt about right and put some blue loctite on it. I guess I'm either stubborn or stupid. The only thing I use a torque wrench for are heads, rods, and main caps.

Big Dave

BEWARE:

A bent shoulder bolt like this led to my belt failure.

123quattro

I checked before I reinstalled. I was expecting it to be bent since the arm was loose. Surprisingly it was perfectly straight.