New crd owner

Efren_Hinojosa · **Joined:** Sat Jul 18, 2015 11:29 pm **Posts:** 42

Hello guys,
I just bought this crd a month ago, and been lurking around here for a bit longer.
I have not done much yet but engine oil/filter change, fuel water separator change,rear differential oil change since it started leaking days after I got it. And a "off road mod"
I am getting ready to do the timing belt and wanted to know, how bad is it?
I am a diesel/auto/Rv technician but never worked on small diesels like this. You guys that have done them are you technicians? Should I try it or get someone that has more experience on the vm engine?

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2015 7:02 am

If you are a good mechanic and know your way around tools you should be able to do the job yourself!!!
There are some good Youtube videos that documents the entire process from A to Z. They are well worth watching and viewing several times before performing the TB job.

You will need a few special tools to perform the TB job, pins for cams and crankshaft and a devise to hold the cam gears while unbolting and reinstalling the cam gears. The locking pins can be bought on line and the cam gear holding tool can be bought on line as well or you can make your own as I did out of some 1" flat bar stock.
The tools can also be rented, Weeks and a few others on here rent them for a reasonable price...

Parts you will: Gates timing belt, water pump, new tensioner pulley, and new stationary pulleys.
All the parts are available from ID Parts...
Replace any hoses or the serpentine belt and or tensioner while you have them all apart...

If you have any more questions or need advise, just ask on here, many good and knowledgeable people on this forum willing to help...

good luck,

dirtmover · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:27 am

It's a pretty straight forward job. Make sure you understand the procedure, what you're doing and why. Take your time, be methodical and careful not to make mistakes. The hardest part is getting the fan and shroud out without damaging the radiator - I use a sheet of thick cardboard in front of the rad to protect it. Once the fan is out it's plain sailing. Everything else comes apart and goes back together very easily.

pjigar · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:54 am

I took the shroud out BEFORE taking the fan off. It is doable it's you follow sir Sam procedure. I had to persuade a fan blade at a time through the shroud hole. I cutoff lower band of the shroud before putting it back on so next time will be very easy.

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Mountainman · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2015 10:41 am

I'd seriously consider ARP head studs while you're in there, and I'd also forget the crank pin as it's a waste of time and frustration

pjigar · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2015 11:02 am

If you do ARP studs then you will avoid any future head gasket issues and motor will be ready for hot tune. You will also be able to inspect rockets and clean intake while you are there.

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Mountainman · **Posted:** Thu Aug 27, 2015 11:11 am

pjigar wrote:

If you do ARP studs then you will avoid any future head gasket issues and motor will be ready for hot tune. You will also be able to inspect rockets and clean intake while you are there.

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Yeah, your intake is likely heavily restricted by lots of black goop. ARP's save you from having to pull the head later, and that's a serious headache.

TKB4 · **Posted:** Mon Sep 07, 2015 1:29 am

I also cut shroud first making the TB change much easier, after previously removing fan and shroud to do hayden heavy duty fan clutch and cut it before replacing that time . On another CRD cut shroud first, or actually I ground the cut, this was much easier. You can do the TB change just like everyone says take your time and follow the instructions on this site. One thing I also did was mark the old belt and pulleys at cams and injection pump and crank and water pump I think. Basically everywhere with a gear and I counted number of belt teeth between each mark and marked new belt in a similar way and this at least made me feel more confident that it was back on correctly.

Mountainman · **Posted:** Mon Sep 07, 2015 1:40 am

Main thing is you turn it two rotations after belt is on, and with the crank holes aligned exactly horizontal and vertical (and the crank mark exactly at 3 o'clock) you reinstall the cam pins, with no more than a hair of movement either way, the pins should go back in easily (sometimes it takes me a little more than finger pressure to install the pins), but if you have it timed really well, they go in pretty nice. Just don't forget to remove the cam pins, and the wrench off of the crank bolt. :grim:

A sprocket buster is a much better alternative to the cam holders, and less $$$. You just have to make certain to keep the force OFF of the cam pins :2cents:

Efren_Hinojosa · **Joined:** Sat Jul 18, 2015 11:29 pm **Posts:** 42

Thank you guys for all the information. I have learned a lot here. I will be doing the belt change within a couple weeks.
I have also learned that i need a new thermostat as i never reach normal operating temp, unless i have the ac running.

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Rixram · **Posted:** Wed Sep 09, 2015 3:37 pm

Efren_Hinojosa wrote:

Thank you guys for all the information. I have learned a lot here. I will be doing the belt change within a couple weeks.
I have also learned that i need a new thermostat as i never reach normal operating temp, unless i have the ac running.

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There are 2 thoughts on replacing the T-stat:
-The remanufactured ones offered on this site for around $100.
-In-line T-stat for $30

I've had the in-line for 4 years now, and have never had a single issue. It may not be "ideal" according to some, but it works perfectly adequate for getting the engine up to temp, even in cold weather. I've also never overheated, even when towing 5,000 lbs. To me, if there is any performance difference, it is imperceptible.

pjigar · **Posted:** Wed Sep 09, 2015 7:22 pm

If you do inline thermostat then gut out the factory thermostat and keep it.

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Efren_Hinojosa · **Joined:** Sat Jul 18, 2015 11:29 pm **Posts:** 42

I just ordered a new one from idparts. I was looking around for where to get a rebuilt one, I should have asked =/

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