engine question crankshaft/pulley

[jdbubb at verizon.net (Dan Bubb)]

This is not good. If the large crankbolt is loose then there is a really good chance that the sprocket/key/crank are damaged.
VW changed the design of this I believe with the 1.8L engine so the key was integral with the sprocket. With that design the crank seems to generally be OK and just replacing the sprocket and retightening the bolt fixes it.
The earlier design has a separate woodruf key. When my crank bolt came loose on my 79 not only the sprocket was damaged but also the keyway in the crankshaft. I had to replace the crank and sprocket and key.
Sooooo, the first thing I would suggest is that you check and see if the sprocket can be turned relative to the crank with the bolt still loose. Loosen the timing belt tension to test this. If the key and keyways are still intact there should be only the smallest possible angular movement.
If you have any noticeable angular movement I'd strongly suggest you remove the sprocket and assess if the crank is damaged.
Lastly if push comes to shove and major repairs are not in the budget, you can always use Loctite Stud and Bearing mount to secure the sprocket to the crank. You can pretty much forget about ever getting it apart again, but the stuff is amazing.
As far as tightening the bolt simply put the car in gear, brakes on (maybe somebody holding the brake pedal down) and torque to spec.
Dan

From: <silvius14@comcast.net>
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2006 7:52 AM
Subject: engine question crankshaft/pulley


> Yesterday I discovered the source of an annoying metallic knocking noise around my engine in the 1982 Scirocco.  The problem, the whole pulley assembly on the crank shaft was loose at the large bolt.  Question, how do you stop the crank from rotating in-order to tighten the center bolt.
> 
> Stupid me, wrapped some large wire around a couple of the studs and secured it to a mount on the engine.  It worked enough to stop the noise, but is there a special tool or home brewed tool that will work.
> 
> Karl
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