Timing Belt

[Mutato]

I read/heard that it needs to be done at 80K but I just read something from bently publications that said it is 60K.
80K was auto and 60K was Man. Is this true?

[Lnzbug]

I personally went about 145k (not my fault. I kept telling him to change it ) I think it really has more to do with age than mileage. If you have a 2001 change it now. No matter what the mileage.You don't want to go thru what I did Change the water pump too, to a metal impeller one. I got this kit.
http://www.metalmanparts.com/product...7&categoryId=8

[Mutato]

I'm at 64K right now. That kinda sucks only had the car for two weeks. Haven't even made my first payment yet.

[Lnzbug]

Yeah, it bites the big one but I'd rather be safe than sorry. You could let it go for a while but I really think the belt just dries out & teeth start falling off. But I'm just a chick, what do I know....

[Mutato]

What is the official VW word? I stepped up and got an extended warranty 3year/36000 but they say if it breaks after the recommended time it's not covered. I was hoping to get at least a year before I had to do it.

[Fowvay]

It's not the timing belt more as the waterpump that is the weak link in the system. There aren't just one or two stories on here about early pump failures (some as early as 14,000 miles) but hundreds. I'm in that legion. I had planned to do the belt and water pump service at 60,000 miles but alas I didn't make it. Mine failed at 58,000 miles.

[NBTurboFreak]

Replacing it between every 40k-50k miles is a safe bet. If you wait till VW says then you run the risk of the tensioner going out which causes too much slack on the belt and the chance of the belt to either jump timing or have teeth ripped off. I do mine about 40k but I do it myself at home.

[noR]

The Official VW word, would be "Oh, I'm sorry, it looks like you're out of the warranty period."

Personally, I did mine at 111K, but that was well over a year ago.

The water pump will most likely fail before the timing belt.

And I'd wait till 80K, but I push the limit anyway. That's just me.

[linuxed]

I'd go as high as 100k but I had mine go and right now I'm getting my A@# kicked getting the head off to get rebuilt. Mechanic will prob charge you 700 to replace it. Do it. New/ used goes from 4-6k so I think 700 is a cheap buy. It's not easy to do either so spend the money.
Ed

[zeusenergy]

Originally Posted by Mutato

I read/heard that it needs to be done at 80K but I just read something from bently publications that said it is 60K.
80K was auto and 60K was Man. Is this true?

I just did mine yesterday. Here's the link to my writeup, and pay attention to the first post as there is a link to the original "ultimate" diy:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3998685