Date: Thu, 7 Mar 2002 17:25:44 -0600
Reply-To: Joel Hembel <jhembel@EXECPC.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Joel Hembel <jhembel@EXECPC.COM>
Subject: Re: TDIs and interferance engines (no vanagon content).
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
There is one flaw in this thinking. as long as the engine is a non-
interference engine the only thing that would happen if the belt breaks
is that you could be stranded anywhere and at any time of the day
without an engine that will run. If it is an interference engine as the
TDI is; then you have a engine that needs valves, pistons and maybe a
head. The valves collide with the pistons and many expensive noises
occur. This is not just a diesel problem. Many 4 cyl gas 16 valve
engines will also suffer this fate if your belt breaks. So a few
hundred is much cheaper than several thousand dollars. Which VW engines
are interference engines besides the 1.9 TDI's. The 1.8Turbos? What else?
Joel Hembel
Amy and Andrew wrote:
>What does your owners manual say? It should have a service schedule that
>will say when it should be done.
>
>When our 96 Jetta had about 30k mi the dealer told us that VW recommends re
>packing the cv joints (and we would have to pay for the removal of the axle
>shafts so they can clean and re pack the cv joints). The manual never
>mentions servicing the cv joints. That was over 100k mi ago and I still keep
>forgetting to schedule that appointment.
>
>The timing does need regular service, but I would check with the manual
>first and follow it. I believe our manual says 60k miles for the timing belt
>in our gas Jetta.
>
>Andrew
>1984 Westy "Speed Bump"
>1996 VW Jetta Trek "Little Beep" (the wife's car)
>The Basket Bus http://www.creativegifts2go.com/vw.html
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Barry Mercer" <bjmercer@SYMPATICO.CA>
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2002 7:28 PM
>Subject: TDI no vanagon content.
>
>
>>My 99 A4 TDI Jetta has about 53k Kilometres on the Od. My dealer says
>>it needs to have the timing belt serviced and has warned that this will
>>cost in the $500 CDN dollar range. Ugh.
>>
>>Why so much and what does the timing belt do for the diesel that makes
>>it so expensive... other than the fact its a VW of course!!
>>
>>And it this absolutely necessary ?
>>
>>Just thought I'd ask.
>>
>>Barry Mercer
>>Sudbury, ontario
>>
>>Loads of snow.
>>
>>Moo 88 westy... hibernating!
>>99 TDI Jetta 53k Km
>>
>
>
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