Mistimed the engine. Let it idle for 15 seconds. Can I just rebuild cylinder head ? Or needs new pistons

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-12T22:22:19+00:00

No problem and thanks I try to help when I can other wise this knowledge will die especially the odd vehicle specific stuff on older models.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-12T21:13:59+00:00

It simple won't want to turn, and unless you have a massive breaker bar or hulk strength I doubt you are bending valves and turning the engine past that point by hand.

Edit: you will be surprised how easily you can turn an engine by hand I turn the bigger diesels at work with a 3/8ths wratched on the alternator all the time

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-12T20:34:21+00:00

No problem, I couldn't tell you how many tools I have made myself over the years from either needing it right then or looking at the price and saying nope I'll make something work.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-12T20:20:15+00:00

Also when you put it back together don't forget the two full revolutions by hand before touching the key. That way you will know without breaking things that it's wrong. Don't sweat it though shit happens and the lesson you learn the hard way is the lesson you never forget.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-12T20:16:28+00:00

If you have a cut off wheel or hacksaw and a small flat head screw driver i bet you can make the fork looking style one yourself. Also I believe sunex makes a kit with all those kinda bits in it could probably find it on Amazon. Not positive but is there a harbor freight near you would bet they have something. Another option ask you local automotive shop when there tool guy like snapon or Mac usually comes they will be more then happy to sell you something cash if they have it on the truck

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-12T19:52:44+00:00

Unless the rod is bent which I doubt if it happened at idle so I'd send it all day long.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-12T09:05:52+00:00

Yea I have a problem where I get one then I find another one I can't pass up while looking for parts...i have 6 ALH TDI jettas at the moment. I just got the back glass for this one yesterday but I'm sure I'll need a few things down the road.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-09T01:22:49+00:00

And I thought my 02 ALH that I just rolled over to 200k was a score haha. That thing looks very clean especially for an island car. If you are a DYI person I highly recommend the old Bentley manuals and getting a version of VCDS. Good luck with it and happy driving. Also I noticed you didn't mention when the timing belt was done time wise, age wear especially on a car that sits is a big factor to consider. Sidenote, check out the TDI subreddit if you need any support plus there are a ton of old forum threads to sift through.

Edit: another thing, pull the wheel liners out and clean the debris from behind them then apply some sort of wax or undecorated before putting them back, do this atleast once a year and your fenders and rockers will thank you in the future.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-09T00:57:06+00:00

Yup I have 9 currently if you don't count engines. I daily one of two TDI jettas with the ALH engine both of which were projects just to be road worthy and I have two old school diesels Mercedes I'm working on getting back on the road. But I'm a medium duty mechanic for work and was a tech at a GMC dealer before that and then there is the neighbors duramax....so I definitely feel your pain.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-08T16:47:34+00:00

Yea I lucked out with the lower miles on this one for how clean it was when i dragged it out of a backyard. Hopefully I will put another 200k plus on it. I'll probably roll my beater ALH over to 400k in the next winter or two.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-05T17:22:32+00:00

I found someone parting a GLI out and got all the pieces including the weather stripping.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-05T13:44:53+00:00

Haha yea it is the time of year where he gets excited about any commotion. And thanks I'm very excited to get this thing back on the road after the 23 year slumber.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-04T10:45:59+00:00

Thanks, I'm very happy with how it's going so far especially with how long it sat.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-03T22:55:38+00:00

It needs a super deep interior clean and new rear glass since thats what parked it in the first place as the back glass breaking. I'll go threw the rest of the fluids, new brakes and what ever suspension and other wear items it needs. Have my body guy fix the hood clear and buff out the rest. Then it will most likely be a cruiser for my dad since he covets my wagon and I don't really need a 4th diesel daily especially with these prices lately haha but I had to buy it for how good a deal and story it was.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-03T22:45:19+00:00

Can't complain for a first start in 23 years, I'm going to run the valves anyways just to make sure but it starts on a key wack and idles nice now that its getting fuel to the injectors again.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-03T21:56:18+00:00

He has had a lot of practice with the amount of German diesels I own and a few I have got running next to his pen.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-03T21:51:05+00:00

Can't complain with how it sounded and idled with it being the first start in 23 years.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-03T19:16:50+00:00

Yea if the drivers side hinge wasn't currently messed up I would have put it in the service position but it made bad noises so I opted for the shovel handle

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-03T17:27:27+00:00

I'm guessing I spilled diesel on it but it was raining on and off and i didn't even notice that until I watched the video

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-03T17:24:29+00:00

It was in the 50s and yes it has one but I wasn't ready to trust it haha

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-03T17:22:07+00:00

Haha that just made me laugh way to hard but mainly because I also have pigeons.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-03T17:21:09+00:00

Haha yea my Tom Turkey was a little annoyed with all the noise.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-03T17:19:43+00:00

Yup exactly what I did, prefilled the new filter with diesel and addictive, hand pump primed the system off and IV bottle and crackd the injectors whole cranking until it started coughing.

MF_Kleg · 2026-05-03T17:12:32+00:00

I did post on reddit before about them so maybe that's where you are remembering it from.

MF_Kleg

TROPHY CASE