2004 VW Jetta 100K service
 

The wife's Jetta is nearing 100K and I am wondering what every ones thoughts are on changing the timing belt/chain? Almost all of the miles are freeway and the car has been meticulously maintained since new. We plan on keeping the car indefinitely since it's paid off and does pretty good on gas, so I don't want the thing blowing up on me. What are your thoughts? BTW it has the 1.8l not the 2.0T.

Thank you fellow WW'ers.

Your engine uses a belt. Replace it!!!!!!!! My .02

Thanks Jim, I haven't had time to look into the cost of replacement (I don't have the time to do it myself). I wasn't even sure if it had a belt or chain. All I know is at close to 100k, I'm pushing my luck.

Thanks.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!!!!

Much cheaper to replace that belt than the engine. If its a "freewheeling" design than not much to worry if the belt did break. But if its not....then your talking big bucks.

Chains almost never break, they do stretch over time, but are usually more affected by the "guides" incorporated with their design.(the guides wear faster than the chain)

Be proactive. In the long run...divide your mileage by the amount you spent on replacing the belt..... and you will smile.

Jim's on the money... Change the belt. The motor IS an interference motor. The valves WILL hit pistons if the belt breaks. It will have catastrophic consequences. They'll probably hit you for tensioners and a water pump. That is the right way to do it. Have a good shop do the job so you don't have to do it twice. German, O.E. parts for the whole job.

Call my shop if you have questions. We specialize in Audi, but they use the same motor. (925) 932-8744. M-Service

Are those motors notorious for burning oil? Had a friend that had problems.

This car has been pretty much trouble free from day one. Other than general maintenance I have no complaints.



Of course now that I say that, it will break down or catch fire immediately.

Ha, ha, ha....

Darrel, not really. They're generally pretty solid. They only hold 4 qts of oil, though, so you have to be careful about running them low.

1.8T Passat. spun the timing belt at 86K and bent all 20 valves.

Change it.