I am working on a 2004 volkswagon jetta 1.8L turbo, and am replacing the timing belt and I am looking for the top dead center mark on the flywheel and when I look at the markings thru the window on the transmission what marking do I look for, as i see knoches but which one am I setting it to? The camshaft sprocket is on the mark, but before I complete putting on the timing belt on I want to sent the crankshaft to top dead center. Also I took out the #1 spark plug and am checking when the pistion is at the top, but I understand that it can be at the top on the compression stroke and then on the exhaust stroke, so I want to make sure that I am setting it up on the correct mark.

SOURCE: 1996 Volkswagon Jetta Timing Belt replacement Procedure

there are 3 thing need to be fixed first the top timing belt pully should be between o.t so should be on . between o.t and secondremove the distrubuter cap it should be one mark 1 which is pointing on block and 3rd is crank shaft should adjust on 0 which you will find on the gearbox there is a green ruber cap remoce it and turn the main crank shaft u will find mark on the frywheel 0.
Thats it

SOURCE: installing a timing belt on 99 vw bug 2.0 -no turbo

there should be an acid mark (black mark) on gear, and yes cylinder #1 top dead center ps. make sure to disconnect distributor so it dont fire

SOURCE: Golf fti 8v, 1993 k- reg 2 E engine, Is the engine at tdc?

slide a straw or a pen into the plug hole and slowly rotate crank pully back and forward and note the rise and fall of the straw this will indicate TDC . once TDC is achieved note the mark on the pully should be alighn with a mark on the timming case .rotor button to number one lead will have you on compression stroke .cheers MAL

SOURCE: timing chain

Each gear has an arrow and a dot. The chain should have two differently colored links. Position the crankshaft sprocket so the arrow is pointed up with the dot to your right. Position the camshaft sprocket with the arrow pointed straight down at the crankshaft sprocket and it's dot should also be to the right. The colored links on the chain should be lined up with the dots.

SOURCE: Timing Marks on VW Jetta GL 1995 2.0 Litres

timing belt marks