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Timing Belt - Once and for All
I'm making this post in the hope of helping myself as well as other MKIV owners about something we should all be aware of.
So if you own or are planning on buying a MKIV you would have done your research (I hope) and know that the timing belt is prone to failure i.e. snapping causing severe engine damage, hence the belt should be replaced at 80,000-100,000kms. It's probably the biggest service in the life of a MKIV, so whilst doing this job the waterpump should also be replaced with one that has a metal impellor as the OEM part has a plastic impellor. Along with this it's a good time to replace the tensioner because the pulley is susceptible to seizing.
I've had one quote so far from a VW specialist in Melbourne for about $1,500 including oil/filter change. I've had another quote for just labour from someone who does it at home for just under a third of that cost (includes changing thermostat, bleeding the coolant system etc).
Now, for those of you who have done this, can you please list how much you paid, what you got done, and where you got it done? It'd be good to get first-hand experiences in this area as there doesn't seem to be any definitive answer.
PS: Sorry if any of my information is wrong. I am also assuming that this issue effects the 1.6l, 1.8l turbo, and 2.0l (3.2l V6 uses a timing chain so it shouldn't need replacing unless something goes wrong or it's racked up lots of kms - thanks qsilvera
).
Update: I just spoke to AUDI Spares (very friendly by the way) who quoted ~$900 for the timing belt, water pump, coolant etc. The guy I spoke to said that the water pumps need replacing approxmiately every four years so having a metal impellor isn't as important like people make it out to be... Although I've heard the opposite. They'd cover the cost in the event of a failure anyway.
So if you own or are planning on buying a MKIV you would have done your research (I hope) and know that the timing belt is prone to failure i.e. snapping causing severe engine damage, hence the belt should be replaced at 80,000-100,000kms. It's probably the biggest service in the life of a MKIV, so whilst doing this job the waterpump should also be replaced with one that has a metal impellor as the OEM part has a plastic impellor. Along with this it's a good time to replace the tensioner because the pulley is susceptible to seizing.
I've had one quote so far from a VW specialist in Melbourne for about $1,500 including oil/filter change. I've had another quote for just labour from someone who does it at home for just under a third of that cost (includes changing thermostat, bleeding the coolant system etc).
Now, for those of you who have done this, can you please list how much you paid, what you got done, and where you got it done? It'd be good to get first-hand experiences in this area as there doesn't seem to be any definitive answer.
PS: Sorry if any of my information is wrong. I am also assuming that this issue effects the 1.6l, 1.8l turbo, and 2.0l (3.2l V6 uses a timing chain so it shouldn't need replacing unless something goes wrong or it's racked up lots of kms - thanks qsilvera
).Update: I just spoke to AUDI Spares (very friendly by the way) who quoted ~$900 for the timing belt, water pump, coolant etc. The guy I spoke to said that the water pumps need replacing approxmiately every four years so having a metal impellor isn't as important like people make it out to be... Although I've heard the opposite. They'd cover the cost in the event of a failure anyway.
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