96 GL with 32,000 miles. Runs like a top. Fully paid for and have had all maintainence on it up until now. Not really a car junky though so when a friend asked if I had the timing belt replaced I of course said no. Is this something that needs to be done regularly? I know I have heard horror stories about it snapping while driving and huge repair bills, so if this is something that is done as a preventative measure I will do it - but what is a dealer going to charge for something like that?
1996 Jetta GL - time to replaceTiming Belt ?
Jun 30, 2004
5 Replies
We had a 1991 Golf with similar KM's (odo said 57K Kms 2 years ago, a year later i'd imagine it had around 65-70K Kms on it... we sold it December
2003) In late 2003 it had its original timing belt.... They are suppose to be changed at preset intervals (ours never got up that high in KMs to reach it) so we never changed it for the longest time - we inspected it and found that it was cracking... badly... so we got it changed for $250, if memory serves me - its a pretty long job to do, got a new tensioner as well. We also bought parts and performed a tune up - distributor cap, and rotor, new spark plug wires, new spark plugs, and I made repairs to the failing electrical system... Car was running nicely when we sold it for a 2003 Golf 2.0L. (we later found out the rear brakes were on the verge of failure, and the catalytic converter had failed.... The car stopped fine, and passed its emissions test)I'd get the belt changed, tensioner, and a tuneup done on the car. If the brake fluid and coolant has never been replaced get them to change it as well.
8 years old, what are you waiting for? I would do it.
At least have it looked at.............very easy to peek at it! If it is starting to show signs of age (i.e. cracking or shredding) then change it. I don't think engine damage will occur during "normal" driving when the timing belt breaks. At least I have not seen damage on the ones that I have seen with broken belts. But when in doubt, and to make you feel better while driving it you could change it for $200 or so. JMHO later, dave Reminder........ Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them, and you have their shoes. Frieda Norris
Yep....enough time has elapsed that it should be replaced, along with the tensioner and water pump (labor savings in doing this)
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engine(inside) front part of the car? cold intake From VWsport.com NNTP Gateway
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