Looking at a used 01 Jetta TDI.

If you buy it make him replace the TB. Or figure about 5 hours labor + the belt + the tensioner. Also would be a good idea to have the VW dealer do a quality/safety check to see what they find.

Sunoco Gold Diesel, Howes diesel fuel additive, PSI tuning box installed on engine (doesn't affect fuel economy unless I lay onto the throttle a lot)

About $700.00 for the timing belt, and you don't want to even attempt it yourself. You'll need almost that much in special tools and if you're off by as much as 1 tooth and turn the engine, it's history. Diesels are interference engines and there's no room for error. Once the belt is changed you'd need to connect it to a VAG-com (computer) and set the injection timing. A VAG-com will set you back another $200.00. Automatics get timing belts replaced every 40,000 miles ... manual trans every 60,000 miles.

You might want to look here for more info

has 65,000 miles on it and is in nice shape. I plan

things to look for. He said the timing belt has not

right tool. What kind of milage are people getting

Wow! that much. That's a big disappointment on the timing belt change. Anybody here on this site own a TDI auto and think it's still worth test driving. If the maintance is going to run that high it seems like the fuel savings would be eaten into pretty fast over time.

Pretty much... Old style tensioners on the automatic cars have no savings when you factor in maintenance vs savings in fuel consumption.

The new style tensioner allows for I think an 85000 mile replacement life.

Mike Beede