Timing Belt DIY & Bolt Question

[Sleeper1.8T]

Doing the DIY tomorrow. None of the searches I've done nor does YooGene83's DIY that I will be following mention anything about using any thread-lock when installing the new items/reinstalling the radiator/bumper/etc. Has anyone used thread-lock when doing this work or experienced any issues when not? Any help would be appreciated. TIA

[old guy]

Doing the DIY tomorrow. None of the searches I've done nor does YooGene83's DIY that I will be following mention anything about using any thread-lock when installing the new items/reinstalling the radiator/bumper/etc. Has anyone used thread-lock when doing this work or experienced any issues when not? Any help would be appreciated. TIA

I used blue thread lock on the TB tensioner, crank pulley, water pump, and serpentine belt tensioner.

[old guy]

Here is another tip for lining up your timing belt. I have changed a lot of TB's over the years and this works on all of them. Before you remove your old TB I am sure you will line up the timing marks as described in all the DIY's. But you need to make a few additional marks with a paint pen. Mark a tooth on the cam sprocket and also paint a line across the TB notch that engages the tooth. It can be any cam sprocket tooth. Now do the same thing on the crank sprocket. Mark any tooth that is engaged in the TB and paint a line across the TB notch that engages the tooth. After you take off your timing belt lay it on the ground on its side. Position the new TB exactly on top of the old TB and line it up notch for notch. It should look like a double wide TB at this point. Mark your new TB to match your old belt. Now when you install your new belt all you have to do is to line up the paint marks on the new TB with the marked cam and crank sprockets. If you follow this procedure it is virtually impossible to put the belt on wrong. It really takes the worry about whether or not you moved either sprocket and whether or not your timing marks are lined up properly. In fact, with this method you don't even have to use the factory cam and crank timing marks at all to change out the belt.

Have fun!

[ncttrnl]

That's a really good tip.

[Sleeper1.8T]

That's a really good tip.

I agree. Thanks a lot OG.

[walky_talky20]

Marking the t-belt with a paint pen is a great trick of the trade for mechanics. Trying to decipher all the different types of factory marks can lead to errors and time wasted. I use the "double wide" method for transferring the marks, like old guy. Line up your first mark, then work your way around the belt to the second mark(s). Then I work my way back around to the first mark again for a double check. Here is a pic from my last t-belt job:

Of course, I marked the old belt to each sprocket before removal. I like to do 1 mark on the cam and 2 on the crank so you don't have to guess upon install. I transferred said marks to the new belt. Rubber band is just to hold these guys still for the photo: