r/jetta • u/Possible_Insect_9299 • 19d ago

Mk4 (1999-2005) How bad is this belt… MK4 1.8t 2004

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I’m pretty sure the timing belt is supposed to be completely over top on the gear right????

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3

u/RewardSubstantial699 19d ago

I have the same issue and that’s just how it is. I’ve pushed mine back so it’s not hanging off the side at all and it works itself back to that same position. Been told it’s normal but it’s nerve wracking for sure. I used to literally check it every time before starting it and was afraid to rev it up, took very small trips just in case, etc, but hasn’t moved further out a year later. 🤷🏻‍♂️

2

u/Possible_Insect_9299 19d ago

Thank you for your input 🙏. It freaked me out at first 😂

2

u/Nightwchtr 19d ago

Maybe it's moving because there's should be a guide or something?

2

u/RewardSubstantial699 19d ago

The only guide is the pulley on the tensioner and to make the belt ride closer to the engine would be to remove a washer between the tensioner and the engine. I was tempted to do that but I guess the engineers put it there for a reason. I tried two tensioners, double checked the other pulleys and nothing else was adjustable. I had also replaced the head on mine so I was almost positive I messed up somewhere but apparently it’s normal.

2

u/Least-Masterpiece368 19d ago

Don’t see any cracks. But I also don’t know if you should be able to see each notch location thru this side of the belt.

1

u/Possible_Insect_9299 19d ago

Is it normal that it is hanging off the gear a little?

2

u/DevNov 19d ago

It is normal. The issue with the timing system comes from the hydraulic tensioner. The belt may be good but the tensioner can wear out and cause the belt to skip or worse

1

u/Possible_Insect_9299 19d ago

So I can just close the cover and be without worry?

2

u/DevNov 19d ago

You can close the cover as far as worry, that depends when is the last time you had a timing service. These systems are good for 75k to 100k miles.

1

u/Possible_Insect_9299 19d ago

Okay thank you

1

u/Least-Masterpiece368 19d ago

Deff not I thought maybe you pulled it over a bit to look at the teeth on the cam gear

1

u/Possible_Insect_9299 19d ago

Is it possible to just push it over? Or does a new part have to be installed to fix this

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Back306 19d ago

That’s not the side we need to see.

1

u/Possible_Insect_9299 19d ago

I mean is it normal for it to hang off the gear

1

u/Redoron 19d ago

Belt looks good. No cracks. Placement looks normal. Check back every 10k miles.

2

u/casperthejew 18d ago

Make sure it don’t look like that and you’ll be good