How to Remove the Timing Belt Cover on a Jetta MKIV 1.8T

1. Slide the appropriate open-ended wrench on the alternator belt tensioner. Rotate the tensioner clockwise to loosen tension on the belt. Lift the belt off the pulleys, then gently release the tensioner. If you need to lock the tensioner in place to access timing cover bolts -- this might be the case depending on the year of the Jetta -- align the housing holes and insert an Allen wrench into the holes to keep the tensioner from rotating back into place.

2. Slide the bolt into the hole on the fan pulley to hold it in place. Remove the fan-to-pulley bolts, using a hex wrench. Pull the fan assembly off the front of the engine.

3. Unbolt and remove the upper timing belt cover, using the appropriate socket. If you are removing the timing belt, you must set the timing marks on the lower cover before removing it.

4. Remove the harmonic balancer pulley-to-crankshaft bolts, using the appropriate socket, then pull the balancer off the crankshaft. Remove the lower timing belt cover, using the appropriate socket.