Conventional connecting rod

Fig 1: Exploded View Of Conventional Connecting Rod

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

1 - Piston rings 

• Offset gaps by 120 °
• Use piston ring pliers to remove and install
• "TOP" faces towards piston crown
• Checking ring gap. See Checking piston ring gap  .

2 - Piston 

• Checking. See Checking piston  .
• Mark installation position and cylinder number
• Arrow on piston crown points to belt pulley end
• 2-part oil scraper ring

• Checking piston ring-to-groove clearance. See Checking ring to groove clearance  .
• Install using piston ring clamp

3 - Connecting rod 

• Only replace as a set
• Mark relation to cylinder -B-
• Installation position: Marking -A- faces belt pulley end

4 - Connecting rod bearing cap 

• Mark relation to cylinder -B-
• Installation position: Marking -A- faces belt pulley end

5 - 30 Nm plus 1/4 turn (90 ° ) 

• Always replace
• Oil thread and contact surfaces
• To measure radial clearance tighten to 30 Nm, but do not turn further

6 - Bearing shell 

• Observe installation position
• Do not interchange used bearing shells
• Ensure retaining lugs fit tightly in recesses.
• Upper bearing shell with oil drilling for piston pin lubrication.

• Axial clearance, New: 0.10 to 0.31 mm; Wear limit: 0.37 mm
• Check radial clearance with Plastigage: New: 0.01 to 0.06 mm; Wear limit: 0.12 mm
• Do not rotate crankshaft when checking radial clearance

7 - Cylinder block 

• Checking cylinder bore. Refer to Checking cylinder bores 
• Piston and cylinder dimensions. Refer to Piston and cylinder dimensions 

8 - Connecting rod bolt 

9 - Circlip 

10 - Piston pin 

• If difficult to remove, heat piston to 60 ° C
• Remove and install with VW 222A