How to get new timing belt on Audi TT MK 1 help please

[R.-koyhb]

As per heading , stripped everything down , new water pump , tensioner with pin still in place idiler pully etc . New belt so tight the only way on seems to be to cable tie belt to top cam sprocket at TDC , get crank marker TDC then try to get belt to grip by a couple of teeth whilst rotating the crank sprocket/gear ?

This seems rather brutal to a new belt and seems to slip a tooth or two when it goes on ?

Virtually given up , surly this way bends and twists the new belt ?

There must be another way , any Audi techs or mechanics who do these VW engines , you're help would be greatly appreciated,

Thank you in advance

[robbocop33]

Comments below video say this is a good guide.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfDoRbLwMqw

[northwestrecovery]

Have you set the tensioner in the retracted position ? and I don't just mean at is slackest point ,it needs to be tensioned away to fit the belt and reset after fitting .

[northwestrecovery]

Have you set the tensioner in the retracted position ? and I don't just mean at is slackest point ,it needs to be tensioned away to fit the belt and reset after fitting .

[R.-koyhb]

Thank you for the advice , the video is very helpful , can the last reply please elaborate on how I would set the idiler pully slack with the tensioner in place please? , The pin is still in the tensioner , should I put a screw thread and nut (I see there's a hole for this) on the idiler assembly and compress the piston down even further ? Or remove the idiler roller then try to install it back after belt in place ?

Cheers

[Auntieroll]

Check that the number of teeth on the new belt is correct, I had a similar problem when changing the belt on my Alfa ,there was only 1 tooth difference in the two variants, but the shorter belt refused to be fitted ,mind you the correct one was a bit of a struggle as well !
HTH .

[R.-koyhb]

All done now thanks everyone who replied .

Pig of a job , I can see why garages want £800/£1000. , they earn every penny .