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🧠 Do You Really Need a Locking Kit for a TSI Timing Belt Change?

 

TSI Timing Belt Replacement – With and Without Locking Kit | Real-World Test and Results

🧠 Do You Really Need a Locking Kit for a TSI Timing Belt Change?

This question comes up all the time — especially for anyone working on VW, SEAT, Å koda, or Audi TSI engines. The official service manuals always say to use the locking kit… but what actually happens if you don’t?

In my latest video on the How2FixIt YouTube channel, I test it out for real. I replace the timing belt two ways — first with the proper locking tools, and then again without them, marking the pulleys and belt by hand to see how accurate the result really is.

🎥 Watch the full video here!



🔧 What’s Covered in the Video:

  • How to align the camshaft and crankshaft correctly
  • Using the TSI locking kit vs marking by hand
  • Tensioning the new timing belt
  • Checking alignment and marks before reassembly
  • The real-world difference between both methods

⚙️ Which Engines This Applies To:

This guide covers the VW Group 1.2 and 1.4 TSI petrol engines, including models like:

  • VW Polo, Golf, and Golf Plus
  • SEAT Ibiza and Leon
  • Å koda Fabia and Octavia
  • Audi A1 and A3

🧩 What I Found:

When fitting the belt without a locking kit, you can get the timing close — but it’s easy to end up a fraction off. On engines like these, that can mean rough running, timing errors, or check-engine lights

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