3rd Annual St. Augustine end of summer GtG- Sept, 2011

[Chuckie]

If you happen to have a very large caliber hand gun it may come in handy. The timing belt, which wagenwerks told me looked like new 5,000 miles ago) went. So I am looking at $2,800-$3,200 depending on how bad the engine rebuild needs to be. It sounds like the Ghost of Al past has come to visit me.

I/We may be going in tomorrow to see about what we can trade it for if anything tickles our fancy. If not it get's towed to 103rd st. for the Al treatment.

I ask myself why I would be fool enough to buy another one sometimes. Talk about a money pit. The only reason I'm not going insane now is we DID get a hell of a deal on it when we bought it.

The saga continues.............

[Ollie]

Ugh! Hope it's in the lower range at least. Good luck! Will keep an eye out for low-mile transplants, too, but getting hard to find sub-130k ones. You said yourself it's the first time you got attached to a car..guess you're being tested. Better to take care of Stuka..maybe better to know what you have than dive into another unknown:

[MichelleRoze]

Originally Posted by Chuckie

If you happen to have a very large caliber hand gun it may come in handy. The timing belt, which wagenwerks told me looked like new 5,000 miles ago) went. So I am looking at $2,800-$3,200 depending on how bad the engine rebuild needs to be. It sounds like the Ghost of Al past has come to visit me.

I/We may be going in tomorrow to see about what we can trade it for if anything tickles our fancy. If not it get's towed to 103rd st. for the Al treatment.

I ask myself why I would be fool enough to buy another one sometimes. Talk about a money pit. The only reason I'm not going insane now is we DID get a hell of a deal on it when we bought it.

The saga continues.............

It shouldn't be THAT much. Depending on how bad the engine is messed up. Contact Aaron at boraparts.com he might be able to get a new head for your engine. My tensioner went (similiar to a tbelt failure) and it was less than $2000. I'm so sorry to hear that.

Sorry about P.Hatties too! Man, last year was kinda questionable too. But this sounds INSANE! I can online imagine Val getting upset. What craziness!

[Chuckie]

Well I sort of have to stick with a Diesel. Look at my last name for goodness sakes! I just don't know of anyone in the world who uses a timing belt in a high compression diesel engine. The blue smoke it was pouring out leads me to believe I have some serious head/piston/valve damage. We will see. They have a cute little 03 gas/vert but I am not sure I want the tiny trunk and a gasser just yet.I am just glad I hadn't started the paint job on it already. But buying a new one? For close to 30 grand with a timing belt? Not me. Doubt you could give me one at this point. Does that goofy 5 cylinder engine they put into a beetle have a belt as well?

It scared me almost as much as the angry Val at Panama Hatties! Not quite but almost.

[MichelleRoze]

I think a new head would be all you need. When mine went (in my diesel as well), it wasn't that bad. How many miles were on your engine? Also, look and see if there are any TDI gurus in your area that might help you out on getting a great deal for the repair. Troy and Aaron both cut me a HUGE deal when mine went dead on me.

The 2.5 5 cylinders I've been told have a chain. So if you, sadly, decide to get a new car, then the 2.5 would be great.

I would see who changed your belt last...see how long it lasted. It may have been installed incorrectly like mine, and you MIGHT be able to get some compensation for it. I wouldn't give up hope on your TDI tho. Just saying. If you have any questions let me know. I was in this EXACT same spot around Christmas time last year...no worries.....

[Chuckie]

The car has only 130,000 miles on it. The timing belt was new when we bought it 8,000 miles ago from a dealer. It was checked and looked brand new 5,000 miles ago before we drove it to Roswell. Hopefully when it died it didn't do too much damage to the head, valves and pistons. We were doing about 80 mph and it took a few seconds to realize what was happening. Once we did know we dropped it into neutral and after the engine died we coasted down the exit ramp until we couldn't coast any further. we threw a ton of blue smoke and I mean a ton. I am familiar with diesel engines and this one is in serious trouble. Haven't decided yet to keep it or plant flowers in it. It's insane to make a high compression engine with a timing belt. As far as I know, no one else does for this very reason.

Sorry. Still pissed and coming down from the fury.

Chuckie

[scarabY2k]

It feels like my heart went into my stomach..... again. Chuckie, i'm feelin' your pain mang- I'm really hating this. Man I hope that the prognosis is on the low end of repair.

I think for me, Cup's driving duration was longer, hence the bigger damage, which was a majority of her valves bent AS WELL AS, head & piston damage from the valve banging against the piston #1 and the head. I'm hoping at worst, you'll only need valves replaced and nothing else.

The advantage you also have is that 130,000 miles is relatively young for a diesel, and you'll be good after the rebuild- again I hope it's on the cheap end of things.

Also get a written estimate from WagenWerks before they start the work. My 2200.00 estimate over the phone, ballooned to 2800.00 at the end of repairs. Again, I think you're gonna be better off than what Cup and I went through.

David and I were talking during the St. Auggie GtG, and we thought it would be nice if someone made a timing belt conversion for the nB engines. Something like replacing the tensioner, with a center dual sprocket, that would house 2 timing chains; one chain would go from the sprocket assembly to the cam gearing, and the other would go from the sprocket assembly to the lower portion/crank of the engine. Of course this isn't gonna help your present situation- just doing some forward thinking.

Anyhoo, keep us posted on Der Stuka and His progress. Man, I'm sorry and bummed

[MichelleRoze]

Originally Posted by Chuckie

The car has only 130,000 miles on it. The timing belt was new when we bought it 8,000 miles ago from a dealer. It was checked and looked brand new 5,000 miles ago before we drove it to Roswell. Hopefully when it died it didn't do too much damage to the head, valves and pistons. We were doing about 80 mph and it took a few seconds to realize what was happening. Once we did know we dropped it into neutral and after the engine died we coasted down the exit ramp until we couldn't coast any further. we threw a ton of blue smoke and I mean a ton. I am familiar with diesel engines and this one is in serious trouble. Haven't decided yet to keep it or plant flowers in it. It's insane to make a high compression engine with a timing belt. As far as I know, no one else does for this very reason.

Sorry. Still pissed and coming down from the fury.

Chuckie

I would take it back to the dealer and complain. That's WAY too early for a tbelt failure. If they said the tbelt was new when you bought it then they should be held responsible for it breaking so early. I would talk to them and see what they can do to repair the situation.

More than likely you'll have to get a new head, cause once the tbelt failed and the engine stalled, the damage was done. Much like mine was. But it really shouldn't be more than that.

IF the dealer agrees to fix the car, make sure they get a BRAND NEW head...not just repair the lifters or valves that are bubbled/bent. Because mine were ever so slightly bubbled and if you weren't REALLY looking for it, you would have missed it which of course will cause HUGE issues down the road.

I'm sorry this happened. I hate to hear it. These little engines are great and if the Tbelt is their only fault...then it's a minor thing to a great engine...so here's hoping you get good news soon. Take a deep breath...we're here with ya!

[VDubYah]

Chuckie
Bummer man Sorry to hear das stuka is kaflugin for now. Have wrenches will travel if need be. What a cummy end to a great weekend. If I can help let me know.

[dmbluebeetle]

Not sure it this will help, but it sounds like he still has the engine for sale.....
2000 diesel beetle parting out complete car

[Chuckie]

Der Stuka has eight bent valves. Yup you heard me correctly. We bent them all! No head damage and no piston damage so I don't have a cool souvenir like Al has. Once I figure out how to pay for it I should have him back next week. Apparently I was VERY lucky. With the belt teeth all being sheared off at 80-85 mph the whole engines should have been messed up.

Maybe I won't have to plant tomatoes in it after all!

Chuckie

[scarabY2k]

Originally Posted by Chuckie

Der Stuka has eight bent valves. Yup you heard me correctly. We bent them all! No head damage and no piston damage so I don't have a cool souvenir like Al has. Once I figure out how to pay for it I should have him back next week. Apparently I was VERY lucky. With the belt teeth all being sheared off at 80-85 mph the whole engines should have been messed up.

Maybe I won't have to plant tomatoes in it after all!

Chuckie

better to have 8 bent valves, and a cheaper bill, than a 2800.00 souvenir

That's great news Chuckie. It's good to hear that Der Stuka will live to play another day