Busy weekend of wrenching ahead..

[slag]

My wife is going camping for OWL, Outdoor Webelos Leader training, and as such, I have all 3 kids this weekend. Normally not a big deal, but we are supposed to have storms all weekend so they will be inside. GRR

At any rate, I am going to be replacing both upper and lower timing chains on my jetta, along with tensioners and guides. To do this, I have to remove the transmission as well. When I'm in there, I might as well put a new clutch in (I'm at 120k miles), so I just bought a new SACHS kit for that. And, my starter is dragging when it was cold out this winter, so I'm going to take it apart and regrease it also.

I'm going to have about 3-4 hours of time on Friday to do this and then most of Sunday. Hopefully that will be enough time to get it done. Should be fairly easy as I have a garage with an 80 gallon single stage compressor and all the air tools I need. Still, doesn't sound like the most fun way to spend a weekend...

 

[ViviTheMage]

You sure you need to replace it? AFAIK, the chains did not ever need to be replaced, only the belts.

 

[IcePickFreak]

Have fun multi-tasking multiple kids and that.

I'm guessing you already have a polydrive socket? VW likes to use those for whatever reason when it's just a slightly modified torx head.

 

[slag]

You sure you need to replace it? AFAIK, the chains did not ever need to be replaced, only the belts.

The chains stretch when the guides break and the tensioner wears. I bought the kit to get it done and am going to replace them. The guides and tensioners having problems are common with the VR6 unfortunately.

 

[slag]

Have fun multi-tasking multiple kids and that.

I'm guessing you already have a polydrive socket? VW likes to use those for whatever reason when it's just a slightly modified torx head.

Yes. Hoping they don't break....

 

[jagec]

My wife is going camping for OWL, Outdoor Webelos Leader training, and as such, I have all 3 kids this weekend. Normally not a big deal, but we are supposed to have storms all weekend so they will be inside. GRR

At any rate, I am going to be replacing both upper and lower timing chains on my jetta, along with tensioners and guides. To do this, I have to remove the transmission as well. When I'm in there, I might as well put a new clutch in (I'm at 120k miles), so I just bought a new SACHS kit for that. And, my starter is dragging when it was cold out this winter, so I'm going to take it apart and regrease it also.

I'm going to have about 3-4 hours of time on Friday to do this and then most of Sunday. Hopefully that will be enough time to get it done. Should be fairly easy as I have a garage with an 80 gallon single stage compressor and all the air tools I need. Still, doesn't sound like the most fun way to spend a weekend...

No time on Saturday? You might be end up working pretty late to get all that done in only a day and a half.

 

[Scout80]

Aren't those trainings usually a full weekend? Hopefully she gets back at a decent time on Sunday or its going to be a mad race to get that together.

 

[JCH13]

Soak everything in a penetrating oil ASAP. It will make Sunday suck way less!

 

[CraigRT]

I wish I had a car to work on.. Makes me jealous. I am looking on classifieds for older cars incase I decide to sell my Civic.

 

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

I wish I had a car to work on.. Makes me jealous. I am looking on classifieds for older cars incase I decide to sell my Civic.

Doesn't that imply that you already have a Civic to work on?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Doesn't that imply that you already have a Civic to work on?

It's a Civic... there is nothing to work on.

 

[CraigRT]

It's a Civic... there is nothing to work on.

And it's new. 2011.

 

[slag]

Aren't those trainings usually a full weekend? Hopefully she gets back at a decent time on Sunday or its going to be a mad race to get that together.

She got back around 2 pm today.

Well, status update. The clutch that was in there was a replacement from some time before I got the car. It was still in great shape so I'm reusing it.

Once I took the clutch assembly and flywheel off, I was able to take the lower timing chain cover off. The rattling I've been hearing was bits and pieces of the old upper timing chain guide I replaced last year wedged around the nooks and crannies, and also the lower chain guide was broken in 3 pieces.. Got all that replaced, and put new chains on. Timing is spot on. Put the old clutch back in and was able to get the transmission mated back up (how the hell they wedge a 2.8 liter six into that small jetta engine bay is beyond me, but they don't leave a whole lot of room!!!)

At any rate, I'm currently at the point where the tranny is bolted back up to the motor and I need to finish putting the axles back on. They are bolted on but not torqued down right. Then I can put the dog bone mount back on and the tires and drop it back to the ground. I'm probably going to do that tonight still. Also need to put the starter on and the slave cylinder, shifter linkage, all the electrical fittings, the intake manifold, air box, battery, etc. I hope another 2 hours give or take is all thats left, and then I can fire it up and check it out.

The hard part is done however and I can relax. I dont need the car tomorrow or Tuesday so after work those days I can hopefully finish it up.

-Slag

EDIT==Friday I removed the battery and air box and linkage and stopped. Most of the work was done Saturday afternoon and today all day.

 

[JCH13]

:thumbsup:

 

[slag]

Dogbone in place, axles are connected to the transmission and torqued appropriately. Tonight I'm going to put the starter in, tires on, and drop it back down Then put the misc stuff back on and hopefully button it up late tonight.

 

[slag]

I doubt anyone is reading this anymore, but I had to buy a gallon of G12 coolant today (24 bucks), and a small coolant system fitting I broke the nipple off Friday night (18 bucks). Also needed a 17 mm allen wrench to remove the drain and fill plugs on the transmission ($24.99 for the set). Hopefully thats all the rest I needed. Now I just need to get my butt in gear and go out and finish it.

 

[Scout80]

I had to come back and see how you were progressing. Sounds like things must have gone fairly smooth.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I am impressed! Will be more so once it starts and runs . . .

 

[manimal]

Hopefully thats all the rest I needed. Now I just need to get my butt in gear and go out and finish it.

You can do it nicky!

The beer tastes better after your done too!

 

[slag]

Success! My son (10 years old) and I put the spark plugs in, intake manifold, throttle body, etc and buttoned it all up last night. Filled up all the fluids and took it out for a spin.

He now calls it the ninja car because it is so quiet. The clutch also feels lighter which I like (probably since I lightly greased the input shaft on the transmission where the throwout bearing resides.

At any rate, I drove it to work today (about 35 miles) and it ran like a top.

 

[jlee]

nice! Always a good feeling to put everything back together and have it all work.

 

[JCH13]

Awesome! That's pretty serious surgery to do all by yourself, good stuff.

 

[manimal]

Success! My son (10 years old) and I put the spark plugs in, intake manifold, throttle body, etc and buttoned it all up last night. Filled up all the fluids and took it out for a spin.

He now calls it the ninja car because it is so quiet. The clutch also feels lighter which I like (probably since I lightly greased the input shaft on the transmission where the throwout bearing resides.

At any rate, I drove it to work today (about 35 miles) and it ran like a top.

thumbs up!

 

[Scout80]

Nice work! You saved a bundle doing all of that yourself. I'm glad to hear it worked out.