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moving from TN to Belgium

5K views 38 replies 5 participants last post by  noobytoogy  
#1 ·
2005 Touareg V8 (not air suspension) 77K Miles:

Just got orders to Belgium and want to see if any of the experts here have any recommendations. Last time I was at the dealership they let me know the next sched maintenance was a biggie (80K miles) and that it called for the timing belt to be replaced. I have 77K on her now and will get that done before I move to Belgium mid-summer. While I have her in the shop (and already paying an arm and a leg for the timing belt change) is there anything else I should have them look at/replace while its there? I want to avoid doing any major service while I'm in Europe as I expect it will cost twice as much. Currently she runs well except for the occasional (Move Selector Lever to P Position) about once a month. As I understand it that has to do with water in the door handle and it hasn't been a big deal.

Thanks for any feedback/advice.
 
#2 ·
Dealer parts and labor prices are same everywhere, it could be a little bit cheaper in US but not twice... Good luck..
 
#4 ·
It could be, but not twice as much.. I ordered dome parts last year from Germany and the price was like here.. Don't know about the labor..

Other than those thing, I would replace the drive shaft bearing while in US.. Get a refurbished one from Colorado shafts, or just the rubber bearing and find a good shop to replace it.. As I am not sure that you will be able to find anything cheaper than 1600$ for a new one i Belgium..
 
#7 ·
It could be, but not twice as much.. I ordered dome parts last year from Germany and the price was like here.. Don't know about the labor..

Other than those thing, I would replace the drive shaft bearing while in US.. Get a refurbished one from Colorado shafts, or just the rubber bearing and find a good shop to replace it.. As I am not sure that you will be able to find anything cheaper than 1600$ for a new one i Belgium..

Thanks MNE, the other guy I know with a Touareg (2006 V6 w/ 100K) just had that driveshaft center bearing go bad. I'll have them take a look at it. I am a little torn though - I don't want to replace stuff that seems to be operating correctly if I don't have to. Once you start pulling stuff off and on you can invite more problems. This is our smaller SUV family car and never gets driven harshly/off-road and rarely sees snow or ice.
 
#5 ·
Your 05 V8 is three years and more overdue on the belt. Change it now.
 
#8 ·
One thing I forgot to mention - it does burn oil pretty good. More than any other car I have owned (and I've owned a 1987 Buick Skyhawk). I would estimate I add 1 quart every 2K - 3K miles. The VW mechanic has told me that is with the acceptable guidelines for the '05 V8.
 
#9 ·
YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THE DRIVE SHAFT if you want to save money when in Belgium. Your touareg is in a right mileage and age, and that should be a MUST do it..

Oil consumption can be related to the PCV valve... Have a look on this forum for it, its a 169$ piece and you can DIY...
 
#11 ·
the centre bearing support
 
#12 ·
That depends..

You can get a bearing on e bay for 70$ and find a good mechanic that can replace it...

You can get a refurbished one, and it comes a bearing attached to the shaft for 500-600$...

Or you can visit the dealers and pay 1200-1500$..
 
#14 ·
#13 ·
while you are doing the timing belt make sure the tensioner, rollers, thermostat are done also

Did i miss anything guys ?? Cant remember
 
#23 ·
The timing belt service cost should include new belt, thermostat, water pump, tensioner, etc..

It is unusual for a VW dealer to replace the centre bearing - they will normally only fit a brand new shaft.

Ref the PCV: what is your oil consumption?

As for the 80K belt change ignoring time, yes, you should be concerned - it is a belt. They age as well as wear.

Best practice, first adopted by Porsche with their Cayenne, is 80K/5years.

There are one or two folk who insist their belt will last to 80K regardless of years which is fine if they will pay for a new engine for your car if the ageing belt lets go.
 
#24 · (Edited)
The timing belt service cost should include new belt, thermostat, water pump, tensioner, etc..

It is unusual for a VW dealer to replace the centre bearing - they will normally only fit a brand new shaft.

Ref the PCV: what is your oil consumption?

As for the 80K belt change ignoring time, yes, you should be concerned - it is a belt. They age as well as wear.

Best practice, first adopted by Porsche with their Cayenne, is 80K/5years.

There are one or two folk who insist their belt will last to 80K regardless of years which is fine if they will pay for a new engine for your car if the ageing belt lets go.
Thanks Nooby - my oil consumption is about 1 quart every 2-3K miles or so.
 
#25 ·
Hmm. That sounds a lot more a duff PCV to me. I think I'd be looking to dump that car PDQ.

Let's see what others think.....
 
#26 · (Edited)
Hmm. That sounds a lot more a duff PCV to me. I think I'd be looking to dump that car PDQ.

Let's see what others think.....
Don't know if dumping the Reg is in the cards for me. The master mechanic assured me that for the earlier V8's 1 quart every few thousand miles was not a big deal. I get white smoke for the 1st 1/4 mile in the morning but think that is due to condensation/cold pipes more than anything else (and only during acceleration - it's not sitting at idle billowing smoke). I have never seen an oil drip from the engine or smelled oil burning.

I've had her for 5 years and she still runs as smooth as brand new car, tight with great pull and acceleration. Issues I've had with her have been minor.

Also, my other car is a Ford Expedition (great for the family) and I sure as heck am not taking that to Belgium for two years.
 
#28 ·
as far as your list goes the only other things will need are

PCV
centre bearing support.

If you are prepared to pay up to $500 then i would go the for the aftermarket one i sent you in the link yesterday. It can be done with the drive shaft still on the vehicle. A competent spanner monkey should be able to do this in around 3 hours i would guess given they have a hoist and all the necessary tools

Other people here would go against this option from a monetary point of view but when you need something done fast then IMHO this cant be beat. And with will last for ever
 
#30 ·
Parts from ECS are quality what you get is more or less the same bang but with less buck out of your pocket. The stealership is renowned for over priced parts and service

You dont have any quality Euro auto houses around that can do this work ? They would be the ones to go to.

I now wonder if the stealer would accept your parts to do the work your require. I've no experience in this as i dont use the stealer but it just doesnt sound right that they would do the work and not using the parts they have

try this for the centre bearing same product fits both the cayenne and the Treg. The site i sent before spoke only of the cayenne. Interesting to note its gone up in price $190 in 12 months. When i got mine it was $500

http://europeanpartssolution.com/pr...lution.com/products/porsche-cayenne-drive-shaft-clamping-bearing-support-mount/
 
#32 ·
Parts from ECS are quality what you get is more or less the same bang but with less buck out of your pocket. The stealership is renowned for over priced parts and service You dont have any quality Euro auto houses around that can do this work ? They would be the ones to go to. I now wonder if the stealer would accept your parts to do the work your require. I've no experience in this as i dont use the stealer but it just doesnt sound right that they would do the work and not using the parts they have try this for the centre bearing same product fits both the cayenne and the Treg. The site i sent before spoke only of the cayenne. Interesting to note its gone up in price $190 in 12 months. When i got mine it was $500 http://europeanpartssolution.com/products/porsche-cayenne-drive-shaft-clamping-bearing-support-mount/
I wish I knew of a place other than the dealership. Any know of any mechanics that work on Touaregs in the Memphis, TN area??
 
#33 ·
#36 ·
There really is no such thing as an all season tire since a winter tire has a different compound to work under 7C as well as a different tread to cope with snow and ice.

All seasons are good for three seasons but not the fourth where grip in tricky conditions might really count!

No, I wouldn't mess with the OEM tire sizes.

And I'd choose a European tire so you can more easily get spares should you need them.

I've used US made tires in the past and had to wait several weeks for tires to come across the pond!
 
#37 ·
There really is no such thing as an all season tire since a winter tire has a different compound to work under 7C as well as a different tread to cope with snow and ice.

All seasons are good for three seasons but not the fourth where grip in tricky conditions might really count!

No, I wouldn't mess with the OEM tire sizes.

And I'd choose a European tire so you can more easily get spares should you need them.

I've used US made tires in the past and had to wait several weeks for tires to come across the pond!
Thanks, will check out Euro tires.
 
#39 ·