A camping forum for VW bus and camper owners.

2.0 engine TDC Marking

I have a 1977 VW camper. Recently the engine was completely overhauled by a German mechanic. It run s good with 110-120 compression. I have to adjust the valves after 3000 miles and I have faced a puzzle and need expert help on this:

The TDC is not matching with any of the valves clearance settings. The TDC is not accurate any more. I have to rotate pulley back and forth to get it right to set the clearance.

The mechanic who did this engine work is not available and has moved out of state.

Any suggestion is appreciated.

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Permalink Reply by whc03grady on November 24, 2014 at 10:51pm

Expert help is at this link. My somewhat-less-than-expert-but-surely-better-than-moronic help is below.

You'll have to elaborate on what you mean by "The TDC is not matching with any of the valves clearance settings. The TDC is not accurate any more. "
The TDC is what it is. Do you mean, when you have the pulley at TDC for a given cylinder, that the valve clearance at that valve is way off? The first thing you should ascertain is whether you're checking the valves on the correct cylinder. There are two TDC points on the pulley and four cylinders. You may have the markings pointing at 0* on the scale (this thing; it's more likely black), but how do you know which of the two cylinders for that mark is at TDC? You have to consult the distributor.

But before I go any further into that, I'm curious as to your elaboration on that sentence I referred to above, in case I'm talking up the wrong tree.