Timing Belt - VIBRATION DAMPER...?

[cronic]

I've just had a quote for a replacement CAMBELT, inc Belt, Tensioners, and Aux Belts...but the mechanic has also recommended that the VIBRATION DAMPER should be changed aswell...? the car is on 59k / 1.9tdi 130 2002.

Can somebody explain if this VIBRATION DAMPER is really needed for the CAMBELT change...as it adds £88+vat to the cost of the job.

thanks...

[ruud boy]

There is no change interval for a vibration damper or more commonly known as the crankshaft pulley(not to be confused with the crankshaft sprocket which is the toothed pulley that the cambelt runs on). The auxillary belts such as air con and alternator are run by the vibration damper so unless its got any visible damage on it its pretty difficult to know that its faulty. Sounds like a ploy to get extra coin out of you mate but thats just my opinion.

[VWNI]

Cronic - make sure you get the alternator pully free-wheel clutch checked. This is a known issue on the VW group TDi's and seems to manifest itself around the 60k to 70k mark. The clutch seizes - characteristic is aux. belt slipping on full lock and auto. tensioner vibrating.


Same thing happend to my TDi130. End result is alternator pully shears off and aux. belt can wrap itself around the timing belt whcih can cause it to slip a few teeth. This happend to me (and a few others in this forum). I ended up with top end rebuild, new timing belt etc. etc.

[Crasher]

The crank damper is £141.61, I think the mechanic means to poly V belt damper which is £95.18. These do play up but as VWNI says these can be misdiagnosed as being at fault when it is in fact the alternator free wheel pulley that is playing up.