who is right?

[gfh]

Recently had the timing belts done on my 2001 transporter cab chassis manual 250ks. Then had the misfortune of needing dual mass flywheel,and thrust bearing,and clutch done about 4 weeks later.Different reputable mechanics did the works.The mechanic that has done the recent works has suggested that the injection timing was not reset because the engine blows smoke when starting.He suggested that this should have been done when the belts were done.

The other mechanic surprise surprise said the timing was reset,and if it was out the vehicle would hardly run.

So who is right?

Is there a factory setting that should not be altered?

Or should it be set to 5 or 5.5 on the meter as stated to me by the second mechanic?

How much smoke is too much? In my case heavy accelaration in most gears leads to smokiness.

HELP!

[vdubmotorworx]

The timing is a total bit#h on them to set up and can blow smoke if incorrect but usually if its out then its big black smoke and also totally no power... Also 99% of the time if the timing on the pump belt is out it wont even start or run..... may be you have a different issue and not to do with the timing.... checked the air filter? if its blocked or dirty it will create smoke......VDUB...

[gfh]

Thanks for the reply. Big black smoke occurs when having to accelarate heavily. Power does not seem to be an issue?

[vdubmotorworx]

the timing can be checked with a diagnostic machine... just needs to be plugged in and read settings that converts on a graph to say if the dynamic timing is correct or not... may be ask the guy if he can recheck it..before that pull out the air filter for a quick inspection...

[gfh]

sorry forgot to mention the filter is clean!

[Seano]

Black smoke can be due to a number of things such as poor quality fuel, dead exhaust cat and fouled/failed injectors...and of course pump timing but as already pointed out the latter will mean poor performance too

[MHAuto]

Recently had the timing belts done on my 2001 transporter cab chassis manual 250ks. Then had the misfortune of needing dual mass flywheel,and thrust bearing,and clutch done about 4 weeks later.Different reputable mechanics did the works.The mechanic that has done the recent works has suggested that the injection timing was not reset because the engine blows smoke when starting.He suggested that this should have been done when the belts were done.

The other mechanic surprise surprise said the timing was reset,and if it was out the vehicle would hardly run.

So who is right?

Is there a factory setting that should not be altered?

Or should it be set to 5 or 5.5 on the meter as stated to me by the second mechanic?

How much smoke is too much? In my case heavy accelaration in most gears leads to smokiness.

HELP!

Setting the pump timing by lift at TDC will get you in the ball park, but should be fine tuned with a scan tool to be 100% correct. See a VW specialist that knows what their doing and have it checked. If the timing is out you normaly get the extended crank time with the black smoke. A little is normal on those bosch VE systems.
Sounds like he half knows what to do, just not fully .

[gfh]

After having all that work done,today I drive along,change gear feel something slip,then lose power,loud engine noise,turn on corner,engine stops.I try to start it and after 2 or 3 trys get it going again,but the engine noise is still there.What is the problem now do we think?

[Transporter]

it sounds expensive.

[gfh]

well after shelling out another $1180 it seems the mechanic who did the belts forgot to tighten a bolt which caused the issue at hand.Fortunately the valves were ok.So do I go back to that mechanic and request a refund?