head gasket, timing belt?

[Ventoro]

does anyone have information on how to identify when the timing belt needs doing. Or when the head gaskety needs to be done? There is a ticking noise coming from the engine of my vw vento gl and im trying to figure out the problem, if there is one?

[onzarob]

If your not sure on the timing belt then do it anyway, its allot less than anew engine, a good mechanic can tell if the belt is fairly new.

The head gasket only gets changed when it fail, hopefully never ;)

The ticking noise is probably tappets, Is it louder on startup and the engine cold, does it reduce when warm?

[Ventoro]

The ticking is fairly consistent when warm or cold.... it has only really started recently.... Its a 2.0l 8 valve engine... if its the tappet what does that mean, alot of work???? the sound seems to be coming from the top end of the engine

[onzarob]

The tappets are hydraulic and run against the camshaft, they sometimes get blocked and cause the problems you describe, they also wear which is indicated by ticking for a short time at startup.

The parts ain't too expensive but its an involved change, if your not mechanical get a specialist VW mechanic or a recommended local mechanic to advise you.