Club 80-90 Forums

New to mechanics and the vw scene so really need help. My diesel 1.6 is leaking oil from the crankshaft oil seal. I have taken all the pulleys off and the casing for the timing belt and I am now trying to remove the nut on the end of the timing belt pulley but is will not budge. My wife even brought me an impact driver to help but this will not move it either. Can any one suggest how to get the nut off? Many thanks

Are you locking the flywheel up first? I find pulley nuts need shocking off - ie a firm whack on the end of the breaker bar to shift it to start with although I actually use a big adjustable as it doesn't flex as much as a breaker bar might.

By "impact driver", do you mean one that you hit with a hammer, or do you mean an air or electric rattlegun?

The former type only rotate the nut by a TINY amount, and with a crank bolt, that's VERY easy to lose by not having the crank locked 100%. A cordless electric rattlegun might not have sufficient oomph.

The only way i have fould to do this is lock the flywheel securely with a holding tool i use one from a ford diesel kit that bolts in place of the starter, heat the head of the bolt with a blow torch for about 10 minutes and using a long breaker bar with an extension pole the come loose with a bang. Remember to use a new bolt and make sure you torque it correctly. Once you have torqued it up to spec you will understand why it is so hsrd to undo them.

Proper vw tool bolts onto the timing belt sprocket and is a meter long same for the bolt so your able to do it up to the correct torque

Thank you for all your responses I will take them all on board. Can any one recommend a good supplier for vw tools. I have called a couple of the well known suppliers and the phone sales people have been unable to help due to lack of knowledge on their behalf. Thanks again for all your help.