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EA211 family https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUw0pm4C2cg
The car in the video will remain with the valve opening and closing angles the same as before changing the timing belt, so, although it is not the appropriate procedure, it is better than removing the bolts of camshaft adjusters/pulleys and then not using the VAS 611007 tester.

There are many videos (EA211) where they remove the bolts and do not use the VAS 611007 tester...

Yeah, makes no sense to remove them. I've never removed a sprocket to do a timing belt on any engine.
I wonder why the workshop manual calls for this.

2226 wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 7:32 am Yeah, makes no sense to remove them. I've never removed a sprocket to do a timing belt on any engine.
I wonder why the workshop manual calls for this.

Because you have to adjust the cam with the electronic device to be in the spec.

Le_Combattant wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 2:35 pm

2226 wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 7:32 am Yeah, makes no sense to remove them. I've never removed a sprocket to do a timing belt on any engine.
I wonder why the workshop manual calls for this.

Because you have to adjust the cam with the electronic device to be in the spec.

Well yes of course, I get that; but leaving them in place will leave the cam phases in spec.

2226 wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 5:39 pm

Le_Combattant wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 2:35 pm

2226 wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 7:32 am Yeah, makes no sense to remove them. I've never removed a sprocket to do a timing belt on any engine.
I wonder why the workshop manual calls for this.

Because you have to adjust the cam with the electronic device to be in the spec.

Well yes of course, I get that; but leaving them in place will leave the cam phases in spec.

It's because cam goes out of tolerances over time.
That's why you have to re-adjust them.

Guess I better make friends with a workshop that has the tool then.

2226 wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 6:14 pm Guess I better make friends with a workshop that has the tool then.

Yup you should

Le_Combattant wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 6:15 pm Yup you should

I think I know just the guy for the job.
So he is a friend of a friend. They used to go to school together.
And he runs a VW/Audi specialist shop.
But that's not how I know him.

I know him because of his twin-engine 1.8 16V turbo mk1 Golf. 200KW in the front ... 200KW in the back. Amazing.

Of course, that set itself on fire in the workshop... so maybe I should avoid.

My Son has a 2014 Polo 4 door, just spent almost £900 on new clutch, shocks and others bits and pieces, he's only has 64k on the clock, I've been using it for work and it has been fine, I parked up a few days ago, and went to start it the next morning, and it wouldn't go, it just kept turning over.

Thought it was the starter motor, called the RAC breakdown, and the guy turned it over, and said straight away the timing chain has gone, and has pretty much buggered the engine, so, so much for 120km chain lifespan.

Now we have the option of getting a replacement engine, £700+++ or having it towed and rebuilt, around £2k, or selling it as a project car for someone to swap out engines. No idea what it would be worth like this?

Needless to say, we are gutted, any takers, (or ideas/options!)?

In most scenarios, you dont end up with bent valves, just broken rocker arms.

I think you should google about similar cases as yours ( snapped timing chain) and see.

Ofter the head can be good.If you buy an used engine you still need to do the timing set

Thanks amer6R,

Is there any way I can check this, not being a mechanic; it would be fantastic if it was only the rockers that were cooked?! As I mentioned elsewhere, it can't be the chain as first suggested, else the engine wouldn't turn over, and if it's what you suggest, (rockers), that would be a massive relief!

I'll try and get it looked at ASAP and will repost if/when I get an update


Thanks again

Well if the chain broke

The car can crank the crankshaft ( its spinning freely) since it has no chain connected to the camshafts.
You to check it will need to remove ignition coils, sparkplugs, remove the cover and see if there is any broken parts. If yes then they probably took the worse hit.
Next if you had the timing tool, is to pull the camshafts and use a wrench that can fit over the valve spring and push down on it. If it goes back, and returns that valve isn't bent and is OK. You would need to do this for all of them. If they return normally, then the head is 99% good and putting a new chain would fix the issue. Ofc. inspecting camshafts.

I've seen this on tdi-engine many time and in most scenarios putting a new timing kit solves the issue and fixing broken rockers.

If you can find a mechanic that can give it a look, before deciding to rebuild the whole engine or order a new used one... might save you some money.

Thanks so much for your feedback, we have a friend that may be able to check it out, will follow up in a few weeks!