Which should I fix first on my NB?

[VW_Lover89]

So I took my '99 Beetle for an oil change and the dealer checked my car for free- from
There they discovered I need the pad brakes changed on all 4 wheels. Also, I have three leaks- motor oil, exhaust and transmission oil leak. Also, they said something about my timing belt and that it could snap? Which in order should I complete? I can't do it all at once. It may be month by month. I just hit 190K miles.

[dnyed]

If your brakes still feel good, do the TB/WP first. I would say that is the priority. Best of luck to you!

[Smileybug]

I'm assuming the timing belt has been done once before correct?? ...

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by VW_Lover89

So I took my '99 Beetle for an oil change and the dealer checked my car for free- from
There they discovered I need the pad brakes changed on all 4 wheels. Also, I have three leaks- motor oil, exhaust and transmission oil leak. Also, they said something about my timing belt and that it could snap? Which in order should I complete? I can't do it all at once. It may be month by month. I just hit 190K miles.

Sounds like your beetle is about to crawl in a cave, have a heart attack and die.
All these issues seem critical. When is the last time the timing belt/water pump service was performed?
When the timing belt goes so does your engine and you no longer have to worry about the oil leak
Did they say where they oil was leaking from?? I bet they stripped the oil plug and it is leaking from there and now want you to buy a brand new oil pan to fix this issue.
Do you have a Manual or Automatic transmission? And where is the transmission leak? It only takes about 2 quarts of Manual transmission fluid for the manual transaxle so if it has been leaking for a while there might not be much fluid left in there. If you have an automatic transmission your are screwed anyway and the valve body is probably on it's way out. Brake pads are important but you can do all 4 wheels including rotors and pads for around 200 bucks if you do it yourself.
Don't take it to the dealer to have this done. All these items listed will cost you a fortune at the dealer. Timing belt service between 1100 - 1600 bucks, new oil pan with installation and fill around 600+ bucks, New valve body 1700-2500 bucks, brakes more than likely 700+. You can buy yourself a new car for what the dealer will charge you to repair that Beetle. If you can't do the work yourself then I would take it to a reputable VW shop in your area. They may be not as close as your dealer but driving a few extra miles will save you thousands of dollars.

Good Luck and keep us posted!

[VW_Lover89]

Hi, Tom,

The last time my timing belt was changed was when my car over heated. I had the water pump and everything change.. this was completed in early 2009. Since then I have racked up about 60K miles. How can I tell for myself if my timing belt is fine? I can try to post some photos of it.

I don't remember exactly where they said the leak was coming from just the fact that it was just the exhaust, transmission and motor oil. However, I did see an oil drop ready to leak unto the driveway... its on the upper left side of the car while sitting in the drivers side. I can post photos as well.

I have an AUTO transmission... I also notice when I shift P to D it takes a while for it to move! I'm worried something morbid could happen to my transmission.

Thanks for your help!

[Smileybug]

You NEED to get that trans fluid issue taken care of. Not enough fluid can trash it...

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by VW_Lover89

Hi, Tom,

The last time my timing belt was changed was when my car over heated. I had the water pump and everything change.. this was completed in early 2009. Since then I have racked up about 60K miles. How can I tell for myself if my timing belt is fine? I can try to post some photos of it.

I don't remember exactly where they said the leak was coming from just the fact that it was just the exhaust, transmission and motor oil. However, I did see an oil drop ready to leak unto the driveway... its on the upper left side of the car while sitting in the drivers side. I can post photos as well.

I have an AUTO transmission... I also notice when I shift P to D it takes a while for it to move! I'm worried something morbid could happen to my transmission.

Thanks for your help!

YES, what Smileybug said. The Automatic tranmission on those cars weren't that good to start with and without sufficient fluid they are soon to seize up and die.

I would take it to a VW shop instead of the dealer. They dealer will just keep finding more and more stuff wrong with it and those dollar signs will just add up and up. Hopefully your Automatic transmission will just need a new pan gasket, new filter and fluid. That should only cost you about 150 or so Dollars. I wouldn't worry about the oil drip too much as long as you keep an eye on the oil level. I would verify where the leak is coming from and go from there. Could be just a bad valve cover gasket or worst case scenario the oil drain plug is stripped in which case you can try an oversized plug and see if that solves your problem at least temporarily.
What made them think the timing belt is going out? 60k miles is at the edge of getting the timing belt service done again but usually it can last between 75k or more miles especially if the original waterpump has been replaced. So they may just wanted to get more money out of you all at the same time. What part of your exhaust is bad? The Muffler, Catylitic converter, Resonator, downpipe? Depending on which part is bad will determine the overall cost.

But first things first. Have your transmission looked at and the leak sealed and the filter and fluid changed. Then continue to the next thing.

Good Luck!


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Here is a link to Yahoo that shows all 5 Star reviews.
http://local.yahoo.com/info-21771915...eviews#reviews

[Dee-Bug]

1 Tranny leak should be first unless your brakes are severely bad
2 brakes front probably fronts first then rears if you have to split it up.
3 oil leak depending if it's pouring out,if not keep an eye on consumption
4 exhaust I would do last.
A lot of variables come to mind,,If the tranny is really leaking,get done right away,but the brakes could be so bad they wont stop you. We all know that outcome. You will have more in a trans repair that possibly the total cost of your car depending on how severe. Depending on how much you will be driving it,maybe the Timing belt should be moved to 2 or 3 on your to do jobs.If the brakes are 1/2 or more,they will last a little while till you get the expensive things repaired.

[IndyTom]

Originally Posted by Dee-Bug

1 Tranny leak should be first unless your brakes are severely bad
2 brakes front probably fronts first then rears if you have to split it up.
3 oil leak depending if it's pouring out,if not keep an eye on consumption
4 exhaust I would do last.
A lot of variables come to mind,,If the tranny is really leaking,get done right away,but the brakes could be so bad they wont stop you. We all know that outcome. You will have more in a trans repair that possibly the total cost of your car depending on how severe. Depending on how much you will be driving it,maybe the Timing belt should be moved to 2 or 3 on your to do jobs.If the brakes are 1/2 or more,they will last a little while till you get the expensive things repaired.

It really depends on the severity of the individual problems. I would still say do the Transmission first since it will stop you if your brakes won't
Also I would do the rear brakes first if you have to split them up since the rear on a VW always wear out first.