[nickm]

In light of the fact that this question tends to come up often, below is a listing of Toaureg Timing belt technical info:

R5 - All are GEAR driven. there is no chain or belt, it is a physical gear connection. There is nothing to replace as the gears are lubricated by the engine oil

VR6 - All engines, 3.2 and 3.6, all model years are driven by timing CHAIN. There is no timing belt in these engines. There is NO specified interval for replacing the chain / no prevenative replacement required

V8 2004-2006 - 40 valve engine ONLY - these are timing BELT driven. Recommended belt replacement interval is 80,000 miles ~ 128,000kms Here is one link to a how a member changed their belt: http://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/f43/changed-timing-belt-on-4-2-a-63447.html

V8 2007+ FSI engines ONLY - are driven by timing CHAIN. There is no timing belt in these engines. There is NO specified interval for replacing the chain / no prevenative replacement required

V6 TDI - are driven by timing CHAINS. There is no timing belt in these engines. There is NO specified interval for replacing the chain / no prevenative replacement required

V10 TDI - All are GEAR driven. there is no chain or belt, it is a physical gear connection. There is nothing to replace as the gears are lubricated by the engine oil

 

[sirius815]

You could add the change interval to your previous post for the '04-06 V8's.

 

[nickm]

You could add the change interval to your previous post for the '04-06 V8's.

Updated, thanks for the feedback

 

[noobytoogy]

Best practice on the V8 belt is 80K miles or 5 years, whichever comes first.

Yes, yes, I know some folk think the belt will go on forever on mileage only, but they won't.

 

[Mr. Bill]

When replacing the timing belt on the V8's, this is a good time to consider replacing the water pump along with the serpentine belt if you plan to keep the car for another 20K+.

 

[sirius815]

^^ That is correct.

 

[dvmis]

Hi guys - preparing for my timing belt replacement and found this Conti pro kit which also offers 80,000 mile guarantee and is NOT time limited. All parts are of quality, with metal pump impeler and pars made or in France, germany, japan and korea. Belt is Conti and made in mexico. I got it from BMA Auto Parts | Bumper to Bumper since 1978 | Oem auto parts, vw parts, sachs boge, mercedes benz parts, honda auto parts, saab parts for $280 shipped, have added german made termostat for $20 and in essence had great kit with warranty for $300 shipped. One need to register VIN for warranty to be valid. Not sure does it has to be done by dealer or registered mechanics though.

 

[LocoLobo]

Nice find....Cheaper than the Blauparts kit too, although I think the Blauparts one comes with a few more parts.....I know it has the thermostat, serpentine belt, and I think a few more pulleys....

 

[dvmis]

You are right - though I got Conti German made serpentine belt for $25. Blauparts also has cooling liquid as well as harmonic balancer bolts + seals for shafts etc etc. However what I was not aware was that Warranty of 80k miles which is not bad thing to have in case it happens prior. Being Conti one knows they will stand behind it.

 

[dvmis]

You don't Need the whole kit but it is highly recommended and best practice. Considering cost of labour it is pitty not to replace all the parts when belt is taken off.

 

[LocoLobo]

Phoenix you have a V6 so you don't have a timing belt to worry about. Yours is chain driven.

 

[noobytoogy]

Always change the whole shebang on the V8, not just the belt.

 

[dvmis]

Re time for the belt - mileage is main factor and age plays role as well but 5 yrs is very conservative. 10 years or 80,000 miles is more realistic IMO. Interestingly Conti does not impose any time limit on their kit Warranty only miles!

 

[noobytoogy]

Time IS a factor.

VAG cars are now on 4 and 5 year timing belt changes REGARDLESS of mileage as are others - Porsche included.

I really don't understand cheapskating over this maintenance.

Anyone ignoring this best practice on a Touareg V8 does so at their own risk on a very expensive engine.

 

[nltomba]

So if time factor is not an issue with conti and after 10 years and say 60k miles it brakes you get a new belt? or do they fix the damage to the engine?

Kind of important

 

[Perry01]

According to VWoA time is not a factor only mileage. I spoke to my dealer who is in agreement with VWoA and they said 80,000 miles is the life expectancy of the timing belt.

That being said, I had mine changed at 55,000 miles because my extended warranty was covering the labor for a thermostat replacement. I looked at my old timing belt and under close inspection with a magnifying glass it still looked in very good condition after 8 years.

 

[volkswagendude]

So if time factor is not an issue with conti and after 10 years and say 60k miles it brakes you get a new belt? or do they fix the damage to the engine?

Kind of important

Yup, the age old question, that will probably never be answered until the end of time itself.

Unless someone finally steps up to the plate and answers it!

BTW, quick side note to everybody. Don't tire manufacturers offer a tread warranty? That said, would anyone on here DARE drive on the highway with 4 tires that have logged only 10000km on them but 12 years old???

 

[dvmis]

Good reference point is that Conti offers that Kit warranty for 80,000 miles without any time limit. Timing belt is not made of rubber it is polymer composite within temperature, aging at al and other agents added. What really wears it down is the bending around pulleys hence mile limit only. Of course now if someone drives 50,000 miles over 20 years it probably starts playing as a factor but that would be extreme. If age was that critical they would stamp it like tires with manufacturing date.

In conclusion and hopefully enough reasonable to all I'd suggest we agree on 80,000 miles or 10 years?

Shall we vote on it?

 

[volkswagendude]

I'll accept that.

 

[noobytoogy]

We already know VWoA haven't got a clue about an awful lot of things.

VW Germany says 80K or 5 years as has been posted many times before.

I personally don't care - I have a timing chain - but if anyone wants to put it about that it's fine to wait for 80K however long that takes or even ten years, then perhaps they'll pay the repair bill if someone's engine lets go.

The V8 is a great engine - but it is also VERY expensive so don't cheapskate on it!