05 TDI - Timing Belt Replacement in Raleigh

[johndobs]

I've got an '05 NB TDI. It just turned 100k miles and has basically been problem free. I know I need to have the timing belt (and related parts) replaced and not sure I want the dealer to do this work. Any recommendations of a good reliable TDI guy in the Raleigh, NC area?

What else should I be having done to the car now that it's gone over 100k miles?

Thanks...

[Smileybug]

Oh oh! I know I know!

Try over at Apex Tuning. Its actually in Raleigh (don't let the name fool you) off of New Bern on the East side of town. Really good group of guys. VW and Audi specific.

VW & Audi Performance Tuning Service | Revo Technik | Unitronic | Raleigh, NC | Apex Tuning

Shoot them an email. The guy's name is Gerich. Ive known him and the other guys in the shop for almost 3 years now. They did the timing belt in my 2.0 and did a lot of work on my '84 Jetta TD over the summer. They aren't TDI specific but they do good work and do work on TDI's. My good friend takes his '06 Jetta TDI to them for everything.

[DZLBUG]

This is a job that really should be left to a TDI specialist, NOT the dealer and NOT just any VW shop. TDI timing belts should be done by a shop/mechanic who does them on a real regular basis and who has ALL the special tools required. VW specific shops that do a great job with gasser timing belts often royally screw up TDI's when they try to treat them the same way.

For your area I would recommend:
Import Auto Werks
1823 E Millbrook Rd # 106
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 871-5850 Chris Dale

Jimmy Bryant
Sanford, NC
919-545-6476
Jim Bote - TDIClub Forums

Chris does excellent work for very fair prices from everything I have heard. Jim is also very good, I'm just not sure if he does PD (04+ engine) belts or not. You'd have to ask him.

[Smileybug]

I will say that I do know that the guys at Apex understand that TDIs are very different with their timing belts. They did an '06 TDI belt a few months ago with no issues. And I know he's done a few more besides that.

Actually, linking my friend this thread. He can tell you about his experience with his TDI belt.

[kcfoxie]

I am that 2006 TDI that Gerich at Apex did the belt on. He's also done I believe two BEWs, one his mother's Jetta Wagon.

Gerich wants to do the work on an ALH so he can say he has the experience with it. From what I've seen the BEW is more complex and also required the recalibration with VAGCOM for pump timing, where the BRM in my car was fully mechanical.

If you want MY opinion on this matter, it would be to go to Apex Tuning in Raleigh. They also repaired the busted motor mount (the dog ear snapped off my block), clutch, brakes and a handful of other work since I bought my car new.

My car has 101,000 miles and hasn't seen anyone but their hands and I am fully confident that it'll go another 200,000.

Gerich's passion is building VR6's and he's never owned anything but a VW except for the "old shop car" which was an 84 Toyota Corolla. Corrados, Jettas, Golfs... diesels and gassers.. his whole life.

Infact ask him about the time he ran dad's 87 Jetta Diesel out of fuel, that's a pretty classic story. I think he was 16 at the time.

I trust any VR6 mechanic to work on a TDI given they share a lot in common in the ways of community, loyalty, and special needs.

No Disrespect to you DZLBUG, but I disagree with you. Import Auto Werks was clueless on the belt requirements for my vehicle when I called them, that is why I decided to let Gerich cut his teeth on my engine. They not only gave me the wrong part numbers for all the filters (I require B revision parts since my car is one of the last dirty diesels produced for North America) but they also couldn't assure me I could get a metal impellar water pump.

My vote is with Smileybug. Go to Apex Tuning. Gerich might be a noob with an ALH but he's no Noob to New Beetles or the more complex PD TDI engines. Dare I say, an ALH should be a walk in he park sans the fact that it's in a Beetle.

EDIT:

Also the City Search Review on Import AutoWerks isn't positive but it could just be the customer: http://raleigh.citysearch.com/profil...autowerks.html

If you have a 2005 Beetle you've got a BEW engine. Gerich's already done one of these, his mother's, and I think did another one for a customer. He's more than familiar with it, it's the ALH he's been wanting to sink his teeth into since it's the "more robust" TDI engine.

100k miles suggested things to do:
Timing belt & tensioner & water pump
Coolant flush
Brake flush *unless done in last 2 years
Manual Transmission Gear oil replaced
Automatic (01M) flushed
DSG Should have been fluid changed at 40k and 80k and again at 120k, if not do it now.
Air filter / Cabin filter
Check hoses for cracks

And if you're interested in software aka a chip, they sell those too. I have the Stage I+ file in my car and I absolutely love it. 126HP/wheel and over 300FT-lb below 2000rpm verified by three different dynos. I've fried two clutches because of the power (second one was under-rated for the torque output, we expected 260-270 max, not 310, clutch is only rated for 300). I'll be installing my third clutch in Feb with my tax return, along with rear rotors and pads. I will say I saw a slight increase in fuel economy but not a whole lot. You really notice the passing power on the highway!

Overall they're a good one stop shop. They keep 505.01 on hand, they have BEW and BRM fuel filters and oil filters, and can order most any part you need for your vehicle. Plus they're just a shop. That's all they do. Word of mouth is their business. I'm a very, very happy customer -- and my engine was sitting on Gerich's work bench for a month waiting on a modified Van Gough repair kit for my engine block!

[79veedub]

Hello,

You may want to check out Jim Bryant in Sanford. He comes highly recommended on Fred's TDI web site. I've talked to him and plan on using him. I've heard of Apex as well, and I've heard them highly praised on gas VW work, but have limited experience with TDIs. Again, I haven't used either one yet. Good luck and share your experience concerning whomever you decide to use.

Don

[Growler]

KCFoxie,

you need to post your experience as you wrote it here on the TDIClub forums 101 thread for trusted mechanics. with a review like thet there should be no reason why they won't get added to the list.

ALHs are my bread and butter. I have done about 25 of them this year. I am about to do my first mk5 PD TB this weekend. I already created a nice checklist to follow using the myturbodiesel.com info so I am sure I will have no troubles.

Sounds to me like they deserve to be on the list over at TDIClub.

Aaron

[kcfoxie]

I will do that. The BRM isn't that difficult, but the pump is mechanically timed as opposed to ECU controlled. Thought that was odd. The 5th generation is really easy to work on, because of my busted motor mount connector on the lower engine block my belt was done on a stand with the engine out of the car.

[johndobs]

My thanks to all that responded to my inquiry, both privately and in this forum. After speaking with Gerich at Apex Tuning, I've decided to take my NB there. He'll be doing the work next week. I'll post back with my experiences.

Thanks again... John

[kcfoxie]

Please do let us know!

[Smileybug]

Excellent! Definitely let us know how it goes!

[79veedub]

Yes, let us know how it goes. Gerich is going to be working on my '03 TS soon too. I've scheduled one of my TDIs for timing belt work with Jim Bryant in Sanford, so I'll post my experience with him as well. I hope all goes well. I think Gerich will do you right...

[MichelleRoze]

lol shame I'm not closer to Apex. I have an ALH and I'd be willing to have him give it a shot with the TB. Can't be much worse than the first shops job. Just not time and don't have the money for a Tb right now Hopefully it'll hold up and my mileage will stay low until I do! Unless Gerich is willing to give it a go on my car....for shear sake of learning! lol

[79veedub]

I saw your blue Beetle at Apex today. Nice looking Beetle. My '03 Silver TS is at Apex now for some work. Gerich was finished with the work by the way. Maybe I'll see you around town.

[johndobs]

Got back a little while ago after picking up the beetle from Apex Tuning. Gerich emailed me as well as left me a voicemail last night to tell me he was finished. Basically got it done in a day which was nice.

Cost to replace the timing belt was $734. Gerich replaced the following parts:

timing belt-038 109 119 P
timing belt idler roller- 038 109 244 J
timing belt tensioner-038 109 243 M
water pump- 038 121 011 G
Pentosin G12 Coolant

He used the original bolts, but torqued them to spec and used something to ensure the bolts don't loosen.

He also flushed the brake lines (said the fluid was pretty dirty), replaced the manual gear box oil, turned the front rotors and replaced the front brakes. Also replaced the fuel and cabin filters.

All in all, it was a pretty expensive appointment, but is really the first expense I've had for the car in over 100k miles, aside from oil changes, etc.

Gerich certainly seems to know his stuff and obviously likes what he's doing. He's got me interested in a tuning chip that will boost the torque in the beetle by about 50% and also give me 15-20% better mileage (that would get me from 43 mpg up to near 50). However, I couldn't add that expense to this bill.

Time will tell, but I'm satisfied with his work and would recommend him.

[Smileybug]

Ah so I assume he's got you interested in a Unitronic chip?

Glad you like the shop! Its small and local and his business is pretty much all word of mouth. Also, check out the ncdubs.org forums We have a really good local crew here in the Raleigh/Durham area with weekly meets (just set up a second weekly meet recently...this is the first week for it!). Not many beetles over there (I think its just mine anymore) but its a good group of people.