YES, I did it! - Timing belt, water pump, accessory belt.

[antonym]

... Thats right boys and girls!

I changed my timing belt, water pump and accessory belt today.... by myself!

Took me 5.5 hours. Started 8:30am and was done by 2:00pm

I used this DIY from VWVortex: http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2271429
(one edit - You do not have to touch the power steering reservoir as it is on the other side of the car in 2.0L New Beetles)

Some pics attached! My old waterpump had the plastic impellar (sp?) and was still in good condition... but... I changed it anyway! The belt looked pretty old.

THANX ECS Tuning for a fast and well packed delivery!

(p.s. I did not change the thermostat or the cam and crank shaft seals... I figure the seals wont go anythime soon and if the thermostat goes... easy fix)

[Toad]

wow, you must have small hands to do it that fast. I just did one on my borther's 1.8t jetta and it took me forever. but the 2.0 is a lot easier to do compared to the 1.8t.

What's next in the works? Now that you know you can do that, i bet doing other stuff feel more do-able now.

[antonym]

Nope! My hands are pretty big (at 6 ft 180lbs).... but once you completely remove the engine mount.... BOTH pieces (the piece bolted to the block is a PITA).... there is plenty of space....

[antonym]

Originally Posted by Toad

What's next in the works? Now that you know you can do that, i bet doing other stuff feel more do-able now.

I was scared ****less... that why I put it off so long, but I bolstered myself and.. it was not half bad. I rather enjoyed it! It brought me back to the days when I worked on Type 1s with my brothers.

I am thinking of changing the fuel filter and doing a transmission oil change soon.. maybe sometime in May or early June, if not.. after I get back from Jamaica in late August.

The only things I am still iffy about doing myself is hardcore electrical stuff.

[Jenne]

Wow!

[Toad]

I am thinking of changing the fuel filter and doing a transmission oil change soon.

getting the fuel line fittings off the old filter is a pain the first few times until you are able to get the catch off just right. The tranny fluid is actually pretty easy, you just need a big 17mm allen and a funnel with a length of hose to fill it.

[antonym]

Originally Posted by Toad

getting the fuel line fittings off the old filter is a pain the first few times until you are able to get the catch off just right. The tranny fluid is actually pretty easy, you just need a big 17mm allen and a funnel with a length of hose to fill it.

Thanx for the heads up! I think I already have the 17mm allen key.

[antonym]

I can't stop smiling! I had a bath .. slept.. ate dinner... and still feel like prancing around.



... bye bye dealership and other pos mechanics who scratch my dash and over-charge me !!!

[gilligan]

Props to you Man!!! Coming from a fellow belt/waterpump changer I know what it entails and it isn't as easy as some might think. Actually its a total PITA!!!

[scarabY2k]

I know you feel like a proud rooster, strutting around the yard. Congrats on the job

[LadybugEwa]

I wish I was this handy, but fortunately my b/f will be the one to tackle this repair this Summer (with my help). With the fuel filter, for goodness sake don't break the clip connecting it to the fuel line.
I'd have to buy a whole new fuel line for that one broken clip if it wasn't for DannyNoState's generosity

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by antonym

I was scared ****less... that why I put it off so long, but I bolstered myself and.. it was not half bad. I rather enjoyed it! ...

Well done and I know what you mean, I did mine as well. Although it turns out the water pump and timing belt was not the problem; it was a bad head gasket. So now I'm embarking on a cylinder head removal and replace...

[antonym]

Originally Posted by D2Beetle

Well done and I know what you mean, I did mine as well. Although it turns out the water pump and timing belt was not the problem; it was a bad head gasket. So now I'm embarking on a cylinder head removal and replace...

... ooooooo!

Let me know how it goes after you are done. A least you don't have to take the engine out to do it!

[iScott]

Good job, man! You saved yourself a ton of coin and gained some good knowledge, confidence and piece of mind.

[D2Beetle]

Originally Posted by antonym

... ooooooo!

Let me know how it goes after you are done. A least you don't have to take the engine out to do it!

I have a thread that details the initial problem and my efforts so far... http://www.newbeetle.org/forums/showthread.php?t=25533

I'll begin in two weeks (I have a wedding to attend this weekend) and I'll post some comments and pics like you did as I go.

[TarHeel Beetle]

Changed Timing belt yesterday...was not near as bad as I thought it was going to be. I was in no hurry and took my time and cleaned as I went. I did notice that I had a CV Boot torn, anyone have any idea on how to change those? Thanks again

[antonym]

Good Job TarHeel Beetle!

http://newbeetle.org/forums/groups/t...belt-club.html

[SilverSportNOLA]

One Question .... I have never gotten a good answer from anyone on the 1.8T side and all directions I have found online and the one on "The Russian Site" in my links ... say to disconnect the fuel lines from either the engine side or the evap box side in order to clearly facilitate lifting and lowering the engine to remove the front engine mount without breaking the fuel system. Some people say remove them, and don't give any usable directions on how to release the connections. I would like to know if it is required to remove them and if so, which side to release them from and how?

My poor beetle has been in the garage for 2 years waiting for me to do the tbelt and life keeps throughing hurdles in my path of getting it done. Please help.

[The Cheat]

you don't need to remove them, you can snake the mount out.

as for the side bracket, just push it out of the way, no need to remove.

[SilverSportNOLA]

Originally Posted by The Cheat

you don't need to remove them, you can snake the mount out.

as for the side bracket, just push it out of the way, no need to remove.

Thanks .... maybe now I can finally install the ECS TBelt kit I bought to do at 60K and got weighleighed by Hurricane Katrina and put off till 80K when I took it apart to disable the car 2 years ago. That TBelt Kit is now as old as the one on the car when I bought it .... hope the shelf life does not lessen the useful life, it was in a cool mostly dry environment.

Rotors to Motors you do it all .... but CT is so far away from NOLA!