2000 NB 1.8 Turbo

[msimmons]

My daughter's poor little Vapor Blue 2000 Beetle 1.8T is dead at 102,056 miles. I have the engine torn down and the head off because the (cheap) OEM timing belt lost it's teeth. No major damage, but pretty pathetic given today's durability standards. Also, the interior plastic trim components were toast when I bought it in 9/2010, so I replacing everything to freshen it up.
I've made friends with the parts guy at my local VW stealership so OEM VW and Audi parts are (now) inexpensive. IMHO these are novelty cars that were never designed or intended to go very far. Although my NB Experience has been a steady stream of trips to the VW parts dept, it has still been good. But only because Because my daughter loves her car, and I love her and like to work on things.

[Smileybug]

Good luck. VW's recommended service interval is 105k, but they don't take time into account. Can't believe you got that far really. 12 years on a piece of rubber...yikes. Most do their belts/water pumps 60-80k or 6 years or so.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by msimmons

My daughter's poor little Vapor Blue 2000 Beetle 1.8T is dead at 102,056 miles. I have the engine torn down and the head off because the (cheap) OEM timing belt lost it's teeth. No major damage, but pretty pathetic given today's durability standards. Also, the interior plastic trim components were toast when I bought it in 9/2010, so I replacing everything to freshen it up.
I've made friends with the parts guy at my local VW stealership so OEM VW and Audi parts are (now) inexpensive. IMHO these are novelty cars that were never designed or intended to go very far. Although my NB Experience has been a steady stream of trips to the VW parts dept, it has still been good. But only because Because my daughter loves her car, and I love her and like to work on things.

WOW, you should've never gone that far with the original timing belt and water pump. YIKES That "Original Belt" should have been replaced no later than 75k. Anything past that and you are just asking for it to self destruct.
Smileybug is right. Not only the mileage but age has a lot to do with deterioration especially with rubber under high heat.
I am glad the damage didn't extend into the pistons and only the head has to be rebuilt. Sometimes those pistons or even the block gets pitted and damaged where a total rebuilt would be in order. Good Luck with the rebuild and I hope everything works out in the end.

[msimmons]

Thanks guys! I bought it about a year and a half ago and it about 90k on it already. Since I'm used to Toyotas (I have two '04 4Runners) which require next to zero maintenance except regular oil changes and occasional tire sets, I never gave the Bug's TB that much thought at just 90k. Live and learn! I'm putting a Bentley Service Manual to good use now.

[Smileybug]

Heck, the Honda we have had the TB interval at 90k...all cars need to be maintained.