Dunnit. 1.8T Timing belt, tensioner,damper, pump.

[kje]

Passat 1.8T timing belt.

2003 Sport Estate with low miles but from VW dealer. Did about 1500 miles in the year covered by warranty, then worried about the belt.

This job is not difficult, takes time but not difficult. Car was at 33 000 miles so a 40k service plus belt, water pump while you’re at it and damper came to nearly £1000 at the dealer - £2000 of earned income!!

Bought the parts from TPS, got the full discount having explained I was not a trader, very pleased, about 25% off. Haynes manual, normal tools and a ‘Laser’ timing belt tensioner from Camberley Auto factors.

I did it all without jacking up the car or taking off the viscous fan unit. The ‘service position’ is a non-entity, there is plenty of room. The biggest pain was getting the water pump off due to the rubber ‘o’ ring, a pump puller might have helped but gardening gloves did the job.

The water pump impellor was a plastic one so it was changed. The hydraulic damper was £60 or so at TPS so I put a new one on. The belt kit was £65. A whole new front end and peace of mind.

Tensioning the belt was the only bit where you need three/four hands. You get the idea after a few mins of looking at it with the 6-8-10 mm drill bit.

Go for it, save an absolute fortune. I’ve had it ’tweaked’ since and it goes like stink and uses less petrol, result.

PM me for any tips/help/pictures.

[vwturbo]

good on you mate,as said saved yourself ££££s,when you said car had been tweaked in what way

[kje]

The standard 40-45 bhp remap, noticeable difference.