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Author
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Topic: Timing Belt
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Up-The-River
Member
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posted 04-10-2006 11:24 PM
  
Ditto on the 15k valve adjustments on the older IDI VW diesles, too.IP: Logged |
Sgtlynx
Junior Member
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posted 04-25-2006 10:22 AM
I just bought a 02 GTI 1.8T and the wheel bearing is out of it, Took it to the Garage and they are fixing it now.. Talking to the guy about what other potential problems I could look for and how i could avoid them and his response was "Timing belt 60k". And that was before i found this site. IP: Logged |
DAirbus
Junior Member
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posted 05-12-2006 03:41 AM
After reading the preceeding posts, I felt compelled to add my two cents. I have a 2000 Jetta 1.8T with 106,800 miles on it and I just replaced the timing belt. I was aware of the 105,000 mile replacement interval for the timing belt and about two weeks ago I noticed a rattling noise coming from the engine between idle and 1400rpm which then smoothed out at higher revs. I visually inspected the belt and saw that it had over an inch of slack in it with the engine off. When I went to a shop for an estimate, the technician said the sound I heard was the loose belt flapping around inside the belt cover. I replaced the belt, idler pulleys and tensioner as well as the accessory belt ASAP after consulting with the shop. I am pleased that the belt lasted up to the the time stated in the owner's manual but after reading the previous posts I also realize that I was very fortunate that the belt did not break and cause serious damage. [This message has been edited by DAirbus (edited 05-12-2006).] IP: Logged |
shaunmic
Member
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posted 07-29-2006 10:13 AM
You dodged a bullit, Good for you..
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mikehelms
Junior Member
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posted 09-03-2006 03:31 PM
Wow, there's some strong emotions over a timing belt. :-)The 100,000 mile interval actually isn't Volkswagen's recommendation; it's mandated by the government. Volkswagen has (reluctantly) agreed to honor timing belts (among other parts) to 100,000 miles; the service manual *strongly* recommends changing it at 60,000 miles, even though it acknowledges the *official* recommendation of 100,000 miles. Some people here have witnessed firsthand the cost of a broken timing belt. It's not a particularly cheap part to have replaced (and I don't recommend it as a DIY job, unless you're a fairly handy mechanic), but the problems that can stem from a broken timing belt are staggering. It would be nice if Volkswagen would re-engineer the belts to simply last longer, but it's not that easy. As one poster mentioned earlier, rubber belts have a definite life expectancy, and it's simply safer to replace it more often. As a sidenote, I don't buy into the 100,000 mile tune-up thing at all. Components like spark plugs, timing belts and the like are too cheap, and I'd rather drive with the peace-of-mind that there are fresh "consumables" in my engine. I have more faith in that, than I do in marketing hype and DOT regulations. Bottom line? If your timing belt has more than 60,000 miles on it, get it changed. Cheers,
-- Mike
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mikehelms
Junior Member
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posted 09-03-2006 03:33 PM
Speaking of which ... I forgot one other thing.If you're having the belt replaced, *make sure* they replace the tensioner pulley, idler pulley, and tensioner mechanism. It'll add about $150 to the bill, but it's worth it. A new timing belt won't do any good if the idler or the tensioner lets loose. Cheers,
-- Mike
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pm26
Member
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posted 09-08-2006 12:36 AM
There are plenty of good cars out there with new and improved timing chains that last well over 200k miles. Why even buy a car with a timing belt anymore? I will not buy one myself. [This message has been edited by pm26 (edited 09-11-2006).] IP: Logged |
neverVWevereveragain
Junior Member
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posted 05-14-2008 02:29 PM
I have a 2001 GTI that the timing busted at 82,000. Bought used - no warranty. Had to get new engine for $5000. Yes, I am kicking myself because I should have eaten the $1000 I owed on it and got a toyota or honda. I hear this is common especially with the 1.8T because they claim 105,000 before maintenance is required. VW is ****.Posted my case on www.lawyersandsettlements.com. It's probably too late for the 2001's to get any justice by now.
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pm26
Member
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posted 05-24-2008 10:29 PM
quote:
Originally posted by neverVWevereveragain:
I have a 2001 GTI that the timing busted at 82,000. Bought used - no warranty. Had to get new engine for $5000. Yes, I am kicking myself because I should have eaten the $1000 I owed on it and got a toyota or honda. I hear this is common especially with the 1.8T because they claim 105,000 before maintenance is required. VW is ****.Posted my case on www.lawyersandsettlements.com. It's probably too late for the 2001's to get any justice by now.
Yes, it really sucks when the manufacturer specifies the timing belt replacement interval to be 105k miles and uses a cheap belt which often breaks before 105 k miles. The 105 k interval is mandated by some states because they require that a major maintenance on a new car not be needed until 100k miles. Replacing a timing belt is considered major maintenance. VW should be forced to eat the cost of repairs caused by the timing belt breaking before 105k miles. There should be at least a 1.5:1 safety factor in that recommended interval - i.e. the belt should not break before at least 150k miles , if it is truly a 105k miles belt. It looks like they are using a 60k miles timing belt. IP: Logged |
chattytam
Junior Member
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posted 06-07-2008 11:05 PM
So sorry you have to deal with this crap. It sucks putting money into my car unless it makes it faster or look better.
This timing belt seems to be a touchy subject for some.
I guess I was lucky my 2002 had 143,000 km on it, When the dealership had me replace it.
They had plenty of opportunity's to tell me to get one sooner (I'm a sucker I do everything they reccomend) but they never did.
So... this makes me think that if they really thought there was risk they would have at least advised me to do so to save there ass if it did break. I was under an extended warrenty till 140,000km So they would have had to pay if it damaged my car.IP: Logged |
jooleeo
Junior Member
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posted 07-07-2008 07:59 PM
quote:
Originally posted by edmode:
I have a 2001 GTI 1.8T and I hate it. It has been nothing but problems since I bought it new on 10/00. Most recently, at 102,000 miles my timing belt broke. 2k outside of warranty VW will not be covering the $3,500 worth of damage. Why did the belt break 2k miles out for warranty? Why does VW suggest the belt be changed at 105k? I wish there was something I could do about this... any suggestions?
IM SORRY FOR THAT.... you can finde very fine belt kit at ecstuning.com  ------------------
hahahahah IP: Logged |
pm26
Member
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posted 07-24-2008 10:44 PM
I just replaced the timing belt on my '99 Mazda 626 V6 several days ago. This is the second belt I have done on this car. The first one was replaced at 105k miles, the second at 204k miles. Both belts looked like new after 100k miles in service. No cracks, no damaged teeth, or any other visible damage. These are evidently good timing belts. I only use Mazda OEM timing belts. I also replace all of the timing belt idlers and water pump at the same time.IP: Logged |
brustdiesel
Junior Member
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posted 04-28-2010 08:54 PM
Boys and Girls, take it from one who ran a 1981 Rabbit Diesel, non turbo, 5 spd, with solid lifters from 70k to 243k miles. Change your oil and filter at 5k, check valve adjustment at 15k, change the timing belt at 50k, and prepare for a head gasket change at 100k. Nothing lasts forever, and as cars get newer, they get heavier and more crap gets put on them, so that little high speed four banger diesel has to haul around more tonnage than my Rabbit did, and gets stressed even more with the turbo on it, so realize you're gonna need to take care of it. There is a reason Mercedes uses steel double width timing chains in their diesels instead of belts; because they last forever. IP: Logged |
Up-The-River
Member
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posted 04-28-2010 09:45 PM
That's some good advice, but the turbo doesn't add stress to the timing belt...and I think my Scirocco (JH, 1.8) is the only car around "here" that still has solid lifters.Don't forget time limits on the rubberbands and hoses. Figure on 5 years maximum for a rubber timing belt! Beyond that, crossing one's fingers won't prevent valves into pistons! What really killed all those 80's VW diesels were owners afraid of the fuel gelling, so they added 10%-50% gasoline to the tank!  This wore out the fuel pump, leading starting problems, killed mileage, and mis-aligned the timing belt. This probably was the root of all the head gasket problems, too. Then it cost $2k for a new fuel pump...and that was 1980s dollars! (if the owner chose to fix the car) IP: Logged |
pm26
Member
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posted 05-02-2010 10:36 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Up-The-River:
I think my Scirocco (JH, 1.8) is the only car around "here" that still has solid lifters.
My '99 Mazda 626 V6 with 251K miles has solid valve lifters, and so does my '85 Mercedes 300D turbo diesel. IP: Logged | |
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