2001 a4 2.8: Bought the timing belt kit (and rented the tool kit) from blauparts.

The question is:

Turning the crank by hand after the installation seems difficult at times. Sometimes it it very easy, other times it seems like there is resistance to the rotation and it wants to turn backwards. Is this normal?

 

Yes that is normal, it is just the compression. Take out the spark plugs and it will turn over much easier.

 

Thank you for the response. I had the confidence to attempt to start it, but the battery is dead...guess i'll find out tomorrow if everything is ok. Fingers crossed for no piston crash!

 

If you gave the crank two full hand revolutions with no interference you will be fine. Fire it up and hit the road

 

I agree with these cats ^ I know what resistance you're talking about and it freaked me out at first too. As long as you didn't hear anything that sounded like metal-on-metal, you're gravy man