Only replace the idler/tensioner if they display any signs of wear like brng noise or play. The other side of the coin is to replace all related components because of the labour involved.

If it is the original belt why would you risk leaving it so long without replacement?

 

You had balls to drive it that far.
If you do it yourself you need to rent a set of tools too

 

You had balls to drive it that far.

There's a fine line between brave and stupid. Not sure where it is on this one...

I've seen OE belts fail on 4-cylinder VW's before 90,000km on more than one occasion.

 

Water pumps and timing belts don't show signs of trouble...the just fail at one point and then you're screwed.

While you have it all apart it just makes sense to change your tensioners and related parts...a failed tensioner can be as bad as a failed timing belt.

 

Having spent 10 years at Mercedes, I know that belts are designed to last more than 80,000 miles as per conventional wisdom. Taking it to 150,000 was just arbirtrary, but as our Forum Member from Tennessee pointed out in a previous thread, supplier's service life rating is much longer. Mine was getting noticably stretched and that was why I decided it was time to change.

So far the only place I can find which rents the tools is blauparts.com and they require purchasing their timing belt kit. Any other sources for tool rental would be greatly appreciated.

Signed on to ALLDATADIY.com and so far their info is pretty comprehensive.

 

If you are going to do it, then do it right. Change timing belt, tensioner pulley, water pump, and thermostat. I was going to have mine done early at 58K since it is apart for the trans replacement, but the dealer wanted $1000 in parts alone. I don't plan on keeping it past 80k so does not make sense for me. The technician said the only difficult part was a bolt on the bottom left, above/behind the altenator. Not sure what he meant, maybe its hard to get to I don't really know. Good luck.

 

So far, I would say the hardest part is getting the darn bumper off!

 

I just had mine done. My indi shop found two bolts that were seized on the water pump to the heads. They sent it to a VW dealer in Denver who had to drill the bolts out, tap and install threaded inserts. They said it has become a common problem with seized bolts. So my $1,000 project wound up a $2,500 project. If you are doing this yourself and you could be in the same situation. Cheers!!

 

I had a few seized water pump bolts also when the dealer proceeded with the water pump removal on my 2005 V8. Pushed the tab way up! I was slightly vocal about it, so they absorbed some of the absurd amount of "extra" labour time.

 

I posted my mileage in support of another poster's comment in another thread directly from the supplier that if the motor is not beaten on, the belt should last "forever." My belt is actual evidence that under the right driving conditions, stretching (which is something that CAN be determined visually) became an issue before ANY other sudden and catastrophic failure. I have heard of many examples of 4 cyl VW belts failing, which could be the source of the 80,000 mile rule. But I haven't heard of any actually failing on a Touareg and nor had my dealer.

You only have to look on ebay to see that 90% of the Touaregs have not made it past the 80k mile mark yet, let alone "gamblers " driving it to 150k.
THAT is the reason dealers have not noticed many failures.
Apparently the belts do also what they are designed for and that is lasting 80k
I opted for a new timing belt at 70k due to waterpump failure.
Waterpumps are not supposed to go either but it did anyway.

I am just thinking 150k on a belt is very irresponsible but hey it is your wallet we are speaking of:clap:

 

Did you find a price for the timing belt kit and water pump?

 

My work has me dealing with automotive engineers on a regular basis and know that if a published service schedule says 80k the tests behind that number was quite a bit more. Maybe not 150k but enough that you don't need to panic at 85k.

 

True, there will be at least a 20% safety factor.

I'm a light sleeper at best so at about 70K miles I intend to do driveshaft, Timing Belt / Water Pump right about 80K maybe as high as 85K.

 

about to do a customers 03 4.2 @ a little over 90k. But he was forewarned by me, not to drag it out much longer then 80k.

I have seen 1.8T timing belts let go at 59,980... (on his way to me for timing service).

 

I may cooment that the V8 does not have a "timig belt". Only a serpentine belt, that may be used util it fails without any damage to the engine itself. Only one may not drive too far due to overheating. Tha water pump also may noat fail and does not require replacement if it des not leak.

 

I might have to disagree on this. Are you sure we are talking about the same engine?

 

the 40 valve engine 2004-2006 has a timing belt 100%

The newer 32 valve engine I believe has a chain

 

THe '04-'06 V8 has a timing belt & serpentine belt...the '07+ FSI V8 does not have a timing belt (its chain driven...no replacement required)

 

Here is a visual aid for those who do not believe in timing belts. Please note the timing belt is the one with teeth above and behind the serpentine belt. Hope this clears things up.

 

Please also note that if you are doing your own, make sure those cam sprocket retaining plates are lined up perfectly horizontally and that the larger of the two holes are to the inside. This should put the factory timing paint mark at exactly 12 o'clock and allow the use of the cam sprocket tool. It should also put the engine at TDC which can be confirmed with the timing hole on the left side of the block - unbolt the seal and confirm the drilled out notch on the crank.

 

In Europe a lot of people are changing belts at 5 years even if the advised mileage has not been reached. I think even VW recommends this. The belt can perish and let go even if it's not done the miles.

 

Very true and sound advice. I inspect these belts at every oil change for general condition,odd wear patterns or coolant/oil contamination.

 

You guys need a better write up I think. I would, but if I did that how would I make any money ? lol

 

My shop (not a VW dealer) said that my '04 V6 Tauareg had a timing chain, not a belt. From the posts on this thread, he must be wrong. What's the truth?

Thanks for any info.

JFD77833

 

04 v6 has timing chain. 04 v8 has timing belt.
Both have serpentine belts that run things like the a/c compressor.

 

Found this on another forum:

Only the V8 non FSI lump has ye olde poly belt.

V6 3.2 and 3.6 has a timing chain, as does the FSI V8.

2.5 and V10 5.0 are gear driven.

 

just for reference:

Pulled apart a customers 04 V8 last night. At 90K his belt was about to fall off. Very lucky I got it in when I did. But he was starting to have issues with it suddenly dying (throwing a crank speed sensor no signal code... do the math).

HIGHLY RECOMMEND SERVICING TIMING BELT BEFORE 80K

 

It means the topic starter must consider himself very lucky he still has a working engine8-[

 

V8 timing belt

I jst got my 2006 V8 timing belt and water pump done at 131000km. The coast was $1500CND.Had to replace everthing th rollers and tensioners, right know it runs quiet. If your doing it yourself follow the Audi Q8 same motor, they dont remove the front of the truck just the hoses and the fans and gives enough room for the hands to work. Good luck

 

yea I will prob. try not tearing the front off next time but for now it makes it alot less stressfull.

 

Anyone whose car is 2005 or older should consider replacing the belt regardless of mileage if it hasn't been done already.

 

Best timing belt one liner I've heard in while.

To any noobs, HEED IT!

 

My 04 is in the shop for overheating and coolant leak. Looks like the water pump has failed (which is covered under extended warrenty). They said timing belt and tensioners look bad ... since they are there I am having it done. At 73k miles now.

 

I have to order mine in the next couple weeks, sitting at about 72.5 right now... ECS the best place to order? My dealer wanted 1600 to do this job, so I'm just going to do it myself.

 

I have to order mine in the next couple weeks, sitting at about 72.5 right now... ECS the best place to order? My dealer wanted 1600 to do this job, so I'm just going to do it myself.

You cannot just do it yourself. You will need special tools to do it.
(which you can rent)

 

AH HA!