tell me an easy fix

[dragon17]

So i was with my wife parking at a restaurant you eat.it was closed so i was backing out and my 93 fox died.i tried to restart it but all i got was a high pitch winding noise.it sounds Luke its trying to start but won't turn over.opened hood and noticed nose is coming from flywheel.i can see the fly wheel turning but no start.so i removed timing belt cover and tried to start again.noticed belt is not turning.it looks intact and not broken but doesn't turn when trying to start.what do u guys think it can be. broken belt at bottom maybe where i can't see? Broken tensioner pulley? Broken crank shaft? Let me know if u have dealt with this.by the way had to be towed home.thanks in advance

[myboxyfox]

You got the top cover off, now time to take the bottom cover off and see whats going on. Most likely the belt is broken, yes.
Easy fix? Not likely, but things will go easier if you have the right tools and a Bently's.

[mike in SC]

I had my fox and jetta do this. On the fox the fuel pump relay quit, and on the jetta the timing belt broke. With the jetta the motor would turn, but not start.

You can check the timing belt by taking the cover off. It was the only way on the jetta (again, I know) I could tell if it was broken or not.

Good luck

[KRAMMIT]

If the belt IS broken; or some cogs on the belt have SHEARED OFF; you WILL have to get the lower timing belt cover removed...it isn't exactly a QUICK FIX...but it IS not so difficult that you have to consult a specialist....I have changed the belt twice and the tensioner bearing and belt a couple of times on my Scirocco and my Fox Wagon....it is relatively easy to do with basic hand tools....

A Bentleys Manual makes it much easier to follow the directions...I didn't have a Bentley's at one time when the belt sheared off all the teeth around the crankshaft pulley...I pushed it into a parking lot and called a VW dealership and they ACTUALLY put a tech on the phone to tell me what to do...

If the belt is broken...there is a VERY HIGH POSSIBILITY that your engine is OUT OF TIME and NEEDS TO BE RESET TO Top Dead Centre (TDC)....you DO NOT need to pay a mechanic to do this; it is quite easy to do yourself....

You will need a few basic hand tools (screwdriver, sockets, ratchet, allen keys, etc), and a NEW TIMING BELT, also known as a CAMSHAFT DRIVE BELT...if you are going to pull all of this apart; it is WELL WORTH IT to buy a NEW TENSIONER BEARING as well....the belt is about $12; the bearing ~ $45...one affects the other, might as well replace them both at the same time...

When the belt goes, and you try to start you FOX, it will sound like a honda....which is sad...there is no engine rotation accompanying the starter, it sounds hollow....

You need to reset your motor to TDC. Remove the upper timing belt cover; and also your distributor cap; with a 22mm (I think) socket+1/2 inch drive ratchet on the MAIN crankshaft pulley, turn the motor by hand until the timing mark on the back of the camshaft pulley lines up with the leading edge of the head; while at the SAME TIME the distributor rotor points to the mark on the edge of the distributor housing...THIS IS IMPORTANT....while doing this job in the parking lot, I got the motor 180 degrees out of time; it ran, but RAN ROUGH...!!!

It is also a good idea to remove the first cylinder spark plug during this procedure, and place a dowel in to hole (nothing metal!) to tell when the piston is coming up to the top of its first down stroke; this, in combination with the timing mark on the distributor body, and the centrepunch mark on the back of the camshaft pulley; turn the engine by hand through a couple of rotations; while noticing where the marks are and how everything lines up....after a few turns you will get the idea, and the alignment of all the marks will tell you that the engine is RESET; about to start the cycle again, and that the belt can be put on and tensioned with the bearing...

It seems like a lot of work; but , it really isn't once you get into it....I did it in my driveway a few Halloweens ago and everything is running great ever since....!!

Best of success!!

[voxwagen88]

Is your starter loose? If it is it might not be engaging.

[ziddey]

Is your starter loose? If it is it might not be engaging.

He says the flywheel is turning.

Indeed, it sounds like your belt lost teeth at the crank. It shouldn't be too difficult, time consuming, or expensive. Just sucks it left you stranded

[voxwagen88]

If only I read these things....

My bad...

[What the Fox]

can the fox 1.8 damage the valve train with a broken belt and getting turned over repeatedly ---- piston / valve contact--- in our motors? just curious

[ziddey]

nah you're good

[voxwagen88]

can the fox 1.8 damage the valve train with a broken belt and getting turned over repeatedly ---- piston / valve contact--- in our motors? just curious

Stock it is a non-interference head. You should be able to get away with it.
Maybe not if the head has been shaved... not sure what would happen with a high lift cam...