My car has done 75000 miles but the timing belt has not been changed. Two dealers whom I visited for the 70,000 and 75,000 miles service insisted that I get the belt %26amp; related parts replaced as it is long overdue but that the same will cost $ 1,200, including $ 700 in labor (which is tool much). Should I be getting the work done and are there any alternates to going to the vw dealerships?2004 Passat 1.8T Automatic Timing Belt Change?Yes you absolutely should have this done as soon as possible, check the web or yellow pages for independent garages that specialize in VW repairs. When you have it done do the water pump, if you can replace the VW part with an aftermarket pump with a metal impeller, (they last longer).2004 Passat 1.8T Automatic Timing Belt Change?%26gt;%26gt; Should I be getting the work done
Yes. You are overdue. The factory says 90K miles - but many people are reporting broken belt (for VW and Audi) at 70K miles ($4k to $8K engine damate)
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%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;and are there any alternates to going to the vw dealerships?
yes - you find VW specialist. Don't take it to just any mechanic. They will screw it up.
good Luck...2004 Passat 1.8T Automatic Timing Belt Change?Don't skimp on trying to get this done cheaply. That belt change is critical maintenance for a VW. I have owned 6 of them and have gotten high mileage out of all of them. Get this service done like yesterday. Don't trust anyone other than the dealer or an experienced VW shop to do this service. When the belt is replaced they also need to replace the belt tensioner which many times will go bad and cause the belt to snap when it shouldn't have. Part of the reason the service is so expensive is because of the great deal of labor involved. You will also need a new water pump as part of the service, new valve cover gaskets and probably a new camshaft seal also. Even though this service will run you a 1k dollars a new engine will run you 4-5k so get it done. Also use a quality synthetic oil like Mobil 1 in this engine and change it early 4-5k as these motors had problems with engine sludge which can also cause them to fail prematurely. Never use dino oil in one of these motors! Good luck!
