VR6 Timing covers,etc

[Roger Blassberg 0]

Looking through 2cc's timing chain epic article, he talks about sealant paste for the timing covers. When I took off the bottom cover, there was no evidence of any sealant at all on the machined mating surfaces.

 

What have people used when rebuilding? The paste mentioned in the parts list seems to be extaordinarily expensive. Is good old-fashioned Hermatite just as good, or indeed nothing at all?

 

And another thing....does anyone have a source for genuine-looking wiring loom tape?

 

Thanks,

 

Best wishes

 

RB

[Kevin Bacon 5]

You can get the cloth tape from here - http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/V ... g/tape.php

 

As for the sealant, I use the white stuff from VW. It may seem expensive but it's cheaper than wasting time repeating the same job when using lesser sealants.

[fla 9]

I used some RTV sealant when doing mine. So far so good, but its only been about 1000 miles so far. I got this from Lloyds motor factors, iirc

[Toad 0]

The VW stuff is enough for several engines too, so you could always keep it for a rainy day/flog it on afterwards.

[Roger Blassberg 0]

Well, my local VW specialist suggested a paste called Curit (if your eyesight is not quite 20/20, the name on the box can be a little disconcerting for those of a sensitive nature.....). Has anyone used that?

 

The Grand Rebuild is now underway !! Getting the timing marks all lined up seemed simplicity itself, but twice it was out by a tooth after I had turned the engine over a few times. I found that it's quite easy to leave too much slack on the guiderail (tension) side of the top chain, which allows the timing to go off once it has all straightened itself out. It's essential to get the outer (duplex) part of the inter. sprocket into place at the same time as the top guiderail is holding the chain taut. It is also surprising how easily the camshafts can turn if they are not locked against the end slots.

 

Incidentally, the intermediate shaft timing pointer was about 90 degrees out when I dismantled it. Perhaps it will run EVEN better now that a) everything is lined up and b) the timing covers are all shiny, inside and out.

 

Best wishes

 

RB

[Roger Blassberg 0]

Two more questions; thanks for responses so far.

 

I have just looked at Bentley on the subject of the top duplex chain, and it shows that the chain is directional, i.e. there is a right and a wrong way of fitting it. Has anyone observed this when rebuilding and what would be the consequences of getting it the wrong way round?

 

Secondly I am having trouble getting the oil seal out of the bottom chain cover. I will expose my ignorance by asking which way to drive it out, towards the outside or the inside?

 

Best wishes

 

RB

[Toad 0]

I haven't noticed a direction arrow on any of the chains before. I hope there isn't one now. Lol.

 

Drive the seal out toward the flywheel. It'll be pretty stuck, I think you'll need to get brutal with a punch and hammer. use a flat block of wood to knock the new one in.

[zak 0]

it mentioned a directional chain in the technical papers i was using for reference when i did mine but when i looked at both the original chain and the replacement neither had any arrows or markings to indicate direction. There have been no issues since.

 

Regarding the oil seal i did as per Toad and used a 6 x 4 piece of wood to drift out the old seal