Diesel Vanagon Specific Tools
This page serves to help others locate the proper tool to do the job. Please add and create more areas if need be.
Resources
Popular VW Diesel tool websites:
Generic
Water-Pump Pully holder
The proper tool for removing the water-pump pulley on AAZ, 1z/AHU it can be found on the ebay or amazon links below that look for VW 96280, SCH96280, UN1203280
1z/AHU Crank Counterhold Tool
IDParts - MetalNerd Crank Bolt Counter Hold Tool all I4cyl VWs
1z/AHU Injector Slide Hammer Puller (long)
IDParts - MetalNerd long slide hammer for 1z/AHU for pulling injectors - This is really good if engine is out of van and you're on a stand. This gives you a lot more umph to get a frozen injector out.
1z/AHU Injector Slide Hammer Puller (short)
Amazon - ABN 3124 Diesel Injector Puller Tool with Slide Hammer, Common Rail Injector Remover w/ M8, M12, M14 Thread Adapter - This is a shorter version that works really well for removing injectors out of a Westy (damn cabinet!)
1z/AHU Injection Pump Sprocket Puller
IDParts - MetalNerd - Injection Pump Sprocket Puller for 1z/AHU
Timing
TDC
Timing Belt Tool Kits
1z/AHU
ALH
IP Timing Tool Kits
1Z/AHU
Metal Nerd - Kits MNA3KIT5PC, MNA3DELUXE, MNPROKIT9PC
ALH
Metal Nerd - Kits MNA4KIT7PC, MNA4KIT6LR, MNPROKIT9PC
Mechanical VE IP Timing (CS,1Y,JX,AAZ,mTDI)
Both of the below tools can be used together. Once you find the fine spot you like with the timing gun, use the dial-gauge to get a value.
Once you have a value that should work for similar setups, or damn close.
They do work on two different means, but complement each other well
Dial Indicator Gauge
This is a cheap effective way to do timing if you are given a known value. Such engines as the 1.6na (CS), 1.6td (JX), 1.9na (1Y), and 1.9td (AAZ). These Injection Pumps came from VW and the Bentley as many other VW resources can give a value to target for the best timing.
Ryan Turner from VWDiesel.net created this video which is good reference of what to do.
What if you're running a non-standard/custom/performance/mTDI Injection Pump and nozzles?
Diesel Pulse Adaptor
If you're using a non standard VW Injection Pump setup as non-standard nozzels, or even if you are, you can use an Advance Timing Light with a pulse adaptor to time your engine similar to a gasoline engine. This method is also good, if you have similar components. In theory, if two people had a mTDI setup of similar configuration, one used the timing gun and then obtained the dial-indicator for a value. That general dial gauge value should be a cunt hair within spec on an identical setup (same Bosch IP P/N, nozzles, pistons/engine, etc.
The main difference between a dial-indicator / timing-gun besides the static vs dynamic timin values is; the timing-gun accounts for the wear/deviation of parts getting out of spec. A dial-indicator static setting assumes a tip-top engine. Then you got the within-specs.
Snap-On makes the MT257B currently, but previous MT257A works as good. The A version was made in USA and the B version made in South Korea.
Another good option is the DTI-3300s made in USA in Illinois.
How To Pulse Adaptor
Clamp the inducer for the injector line on either injector 1 or injector 4.
The best place use the timing light is off the flywheel TDC mark. I would use yellow paint on the grove and mark your pointer easy.
To use the timing light, when you shine it down at the flywheel mark; the mark and the strobe appear as one--that's the degree you're engine is currently at.
From my research of those who have used this method it appears 12deg +-1/2 a degree seems to be the sweet spot for most VE TDI based IPs.
Sorry no photos or videos, the strobe effect doesn't record well and with my epilepsy I'm trying to avoid looking at it too long.
Reference
VWDiesel.net Discussion/flam war
Peachparts.com - Inquiry from Libby
OilBurners.net - Decent over-view of the various adaptors available. This covers more the Ford 6.9 / 7.3 IDI, but the Diesel Pulse Adaptor information is valid.
eTDI Timing
The best tool hands down for diagnostics and even some changes on a VW eTDI is VCDS software by using a Ross-Tech cable. Don't even try for the cheap chinese ones. You can find an unlimited used ross-tech cable that goes up to 2004 for around $200 or less, or buy a new one to cover all cars. Look for the following searches on ebay:
"Ross-Tech KII-USB"