Many here (including myself) will say do it at 60k. Even if you have one go B4 110k, and it's covered by warranty, who want's to have to replace their heads.

Many CB5 members have lost their well B4 100k.. don't be one of them.

I can't believe VW say's 110K. I have yet to find a belt manufacturer that say's to go more than 60k.

 

VWMOM,

If you're dealer is willing to change your TB and related parts under warranty- i say go for it! As long as you are the original owner- and covered w/ the 10yr/100k powerterrain warranty, w/ all proper maintenance record- then you're good to go. I have a 99 Passat 1.8t wagon(tip)-- and although their manual said 105k for TB change- the TB tensioner BROKE at 81k, right after the 80k service. They did change the parts, repair the car under warranty since i was the original owner and the fact that i have records of maintenance and that they've just finished the 80k service. (I also got a new turbo out of it--different story-but nevertheless, under warranty).

So you want to drive your car for another 68k? I think you won't have any issues on that- being that you take good care of your car. My car now has 143k (almost 144k, should be in 200miles) and running well. I am however going through some, from what i call "second life cycle" preventative maintenance and updates as i want to keep her until perhaps 200k or more.

Happy motoring.

Erick

 

These high mileage stories make me smile.

 

I sold my 99 to my dad so I could buy the 03 I have. the 99 has close to 125K and since I told him about doing the timing belt, he's hardly touched it. We are going to do it soon, and from the stories I've seen on here regarding other's issues, I wouldn't push my luck either

 

you can push your luck and hope VW covers it under warranty, but think about how long VW will have your vehicle for.

It is not worth the chance, I would replace it before 75,000 miles. If it were an AEB engine ('98 & '99 1.8T), then at 60,000.

 

yup, i did mine at 71k and now i dont sweat it everytime i drive. peace of mind value is enough for me

 

Hey IDriveB5....how hard was this to do yourself? I'm thinking it would be about time soon and was wondering if it would be difficult to do myself.

BTW....We should meet up again this year.

 

What does changing the timing belt entail. the dealership labor costs are crazy high....does a shop have to have a certain setup to be able to do this?

 

My $0.02 worth:
1) Changing the timing belt is labor-intensive, but not difficult or tricky. It requires no unusual tools. Any reputable independent shop can handle it, and folks who have DIYed report that it takes about a full day.
2) Prophylactic replacement of the timing belt is not covered under the powertrain warranty. However, I strongly recommend it at 50K miles / 80K km for city cars or 80K miles / 130K km for cars which cruise the open road. A one-size-fits-all-driving-patterns recommendation is bogus, just as it is for oil changes.
3) The stakes are bigger than your bank account, because losing the timing belt at an inopportune moment can cause a serious collision or leave one stranded. Therefore, it is false economy to see how many miles one can milk out of a timing belt.

 

Cool, Ill have my local shop do it then, and Ill buy the ECS kit.

 

I have 68,000 mostly in-town miles on it, hope to drive it an additional 68K,

If that is indeed the plan, you will go through just one timing belt change throughout the ownership of your car. Doing your belt now verus doing it at 105K will cost you only a few dollars in interest on the cost. That's it. So in short, there is no reason to take risks by postponing the change.

 

If that is indeed the plan, you will go through just one timing belt change throughout the ownership of your car. Doing your belt now verus doing it at 105K will cost you only a few dollars in interest on the cost. That's it. So in short, there is no reason to take risks by postponing the change.

good thinking.

Does AV mean Antelope Valley?

 

As long as you are the original owner- and covered w/ the 10yr/100k powerterrain warranty, w/ all proper maintenance record- then you're good to go.

Aye, and there's the rub. Obsessive-compulsive recording keeping and adherence to the maintenance is a necessity.

 

Does AV mean Antelope Valley?

Nah

 

3) The stakes are bigger than your bank account, because losing the timing belt at an inopportune moment can cause a serious collision or leave one stranded. Therefore, it is false economy to see how many miles one can milk out of a timing belt.

Bingo. Replace it even if you have to pay for it.

 

If you are planning to keep the car until around 140k miles then you will need to replace the timing belt at some point at your cost (unless you are COUNTING on it failing and being covered by the warranty). You might as well replace it sooner rather than later and be confident about not getting stranded somewhere.

I say replace it and enjoy the peace of mind.

 

Well this is a much debated topic on when to change the timing belt. Most people seem to get theirs around 60-65k. Considering that VW states 105K, I myself feel comfortable to go to 80-85K. I have almost 81K and I have been asking around as I dont' want to mess with changing the timing belt myself, most say that 80 - 85K is an appropiate time.

 

I'm waiting for my ECS timing belt kit and the ECS pulley kit to go on at the same time and I have 69K on my 03. Does anyone know if there's problem with belt breaking on a B5.5? Most of the incident I've heard was usually the earlier models(AEB).



Josh

 

"I have almost 81K and I have been asking around as I dont' want to mess with changing the timing belt myself, most say that 80 - 85K is an appropiate time."
VW in Europe / GB recommends 80k miles so you are due .

 

Changed mine at 57K. Right before a long trip. Since it is a 2000,it had the new style tensioner and was still in decent shape. I am sure I could have gone 75K,but it was not worth the worry.

 

How much are the timing belt kits, and where can i find them? . I have to do mine soon. I never had a problem and the car is running great, but i don't want to run into problems. I was going to follow VW recomendations at 105K, but all the stories here are starting to scare me :hmmm: :nervous:

 

How much are the timing belt kits, and where can i find them? . I have to do mine soon. I never had a problem and the car is running great, but i don't want to run into problems. I was going to follow VW recomendations at 105K, but all the stories here are starting to scare me :hmmm: :nervous:

ECStuning.com has pretty much everything you'll need for your car. There's ultimate timing belt kit that costs just under $300 which I think it's great price. Anyway, Good luck.



Josh

 

Do it...do it now.

Its a ticking bomb after 60k....I went to 86k but would never risk it again.

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I just hit 81k and have an appt to have Eurotech replace it and the water pump next week. The dealer wants an hours labor to check it ($89) at 80k so I might as well spend the extra $$ and not worry about it.

 

ECStuning.com has pretty much everything you'll need for your car. There's ultimate timing belt kit that costs just under $300 which I think it's great price. Anyway, Good luck.



Josh

Thanks for the reply on where to get it, i got to do it now. I'm at 86K and all these story are starting to scare me .