94 T5 - could my timing belt been off a tooth? Topic is solved

Post by **Clemens** » 05 May 2024, 07:26

When redoing my timing belt (but only after removing the tensioner) it seemed to me that my timing marks seem odd right now. Could I've been running with the exhaust side 1 tooth of for 7 years without noticing?
How many teeth can the cams benoff w/o causing any damage? Can't be much, I guess.

Post by **misha** » 05 May 2024, 09:18

2.
3 teeth off is a game over.

Post by **rguzz** » 05 May 2024, 20:57

You'll notice the difference when it's timed properly. Mine was off a tooth for years also, then when the interval for replacement was up, voila, ran smoother and a bit more peppy.

Post by **abscate** » 06 May 2024, 02:25

If you detune a T5 by one tooth, you get an R !

Post by **erikv11** » 06 May 2024, 09:56

Also timing belts can stretch, it may have just been that especially if it appeared to be more like 3/4 of a tooth etc.

Post by **hausmeister** » 09 May 2024, 01:26

Mine was also off by a bit, I didn't do the last replacement myself but shop said so. Also finally made the car perform properly, I did have a thread here because it had no power in high rpm

My guess is that there are some people changing them that don't know what they are doing. Doubt it jumped by itself.

Cees Klumper · Post by **Cees Klumper** » 09 May 2024, 16:58

When I replaced my timing belt two years ago I did so very carefully, and yet after double-checking I found it was one tooth off, so I wasn't careful enough. I corrected it before starting the engine. The engine ran better than with the old belt, which I found slightly, slightly longer than the new one. It became noticeable more fuel efficient as well. So perhaps you caused the 'one tooth off' if you did not really check the timing marks before taking off the old belt.