timing belt change

[9813gray]

cauld some body tell me when i need to change the timing belt on a

1999 1.8t and roughly how much will ic cost as its not a job i want to take on myself


manny thanks

[bassat]

Every 60,000 miles I believe. Probably best to change the tensioner too. I paid around £450 in total last time I had it done but you could probably get it done cheaper.
Might be an idea to get the water pump changed at the same time. If it goes later on it means opening it all up again & costing a lot extra

[9813gray]

outch £450 was that at a main dealer?

[bassat]

No not a main dealer - but an Audi/VW specialist. Did a good job by all accounts but probably a fair bit more than what I should have spent!

[Frank.A]

My 52 TDI130 had new cambelt,tensioner,idler,waterpump,serpentine and aircon belts changed last month for £270 +VAT at a local VW specialist.

It is a good idea to have the other belts and pump changed at the same time as there is usually no labour charge for this as the front is already off for the cambelt.

Best,
Frank

[bassat]

My 52 TDI130 had new cambelt,tensioner,idler,waterpump,serpentine and aircon belts changed last month for £270 +VAT at a local VW specialist.

It is a good idea to have the other belts and pump changed at the same time as there is usually no labour charge for this as the front is already off for the cambelt.

Best,
Frank

My regular mechanic told me that any professional outfit worth anything should at least offer all of these things when changing the timing belt

[9813gray]

My regular mechanic told me that any professional outfit worth anything should at least offer all of these things when changing the timing belt

that makes sence and seems more reasonable too

manny thanks to all

[andy.smith2005]

Save yourself a whole pile of cash and do it yourself - I did - took me just over a day. Cam belt set was around £65 and the G5 Antifreeze 15£. You will need a set of torx bits and normal set of spanners.

It isn't that hard - but you will need to remove the front of the car entirely to get to everything. Of course you cannot disconnect the Air Con and you will have to let it drop down and rest on a box or something (I used my pet cat's carrier) while remaining connected.

The only other annoying part of it was the plastic cover covering the cam belt. I just couldn't get to one of the bolts and had to break it off. Didn't really matter though as it was anchored with other bolts anyway.

My garage were going to charge £375 plus VAT for the privelege and just for the CAM belt.

Whilst it is drained down, (and the guidance is once every four years or every 80000 miles for a CaM belt check)I would consider changing the Water thermostat and the water sensor at the back of the cylinder block.

Hope that helps