I am in the middle of changing the timing belt on my AWD-type 2000 1.8T. Everything is going fine but I need a little help. All VAG 1.8Ts are interference type engines.

Before I removed the old timing belt, I aligned the mark on the camshaft sprocket with the mark on the valve cover. I marked that point on the belt. I also made 2 marks on the crankshaft sprocket and the belt. I figured regardless of cam and crankshaft position, I would count teeth and put the new belt on with the same marks and the same number of teeth. Then I removed the belt.

A few hours later I counted out the teeth and put the new belt on. Both belts have 150 teeth total. After wrestling with the belt for a while and finally getting it on, I was one tooth off. After a few iterations of putting the belt on and off (which fits very tight, even with the tensioner defeated), I am many teeth off.

So I go back to VW and Bentley manuals. Bentley says start with the crankshaft NOT at TDC. Then align the camshaft sprocket mark with the mark on the valve cover. Here is my question (finally): When I crank on the camshaft sprocket, it is difficult to turn. Very difficult. And I don't want to break anything. How difficult should it be to turn cams??? When trying to get the belt in place during previous attempts, I did come to what felt like a hard stop. But I stopped cranking. I did not force anything. I'm nervous I already bent something, but I am probably overreacting. (I hope).

I thought I would ask before I just muscled the camshaft sprocket.

Hard to turn:

What direction is the right way to crank this?

The waterpump impeller was in pieces (same plastic as BMW) when I removed it by the way:

New waterpump is metal.