timing nightmare

[chrisdrone]

I have a 95 cabrio 2.0 manual t. replaced timing belt but can't get it aligned right. I have lined up the cam sprocket to the valve cover, the intermediate pulley to the distributor rotor (#1 cylinder). my problem is when i align the notch on the crank pulley to the dot on the intermediate sprocket, the #1 piston is not at TDC. help if you can, thanks...ps. is there a definite mark for TDC on the flywheel, why can't i find it?

[boschmann]

The flywheel TDC mark should be a small zero, not the V notch. Pull #1 spark plug, insert a long slender screwdriver to touch the piston & turn the crank back & forth until you are positive it is at TDC, the mark should be seen or your at #4 TDC. When I'm setting up the belt I will turn the crank about one notch counterclockwise while the cam & distributor are on the mark. When the tensioner pulls the slack out of the belt the will usually line up correctly.