I recently picked up a '98 Jetta 2.0 with 107,000 miles on it. They guy I bought it from said that there were no records of a timing belt replacement, and I know that Volkswagen recommends it done after 90k.

I'm curious as to what it takes to replace one of these yourself. If anyone has replaced one let me know. I've been calling around to mechanic shops and asking for estimates, a dealer gave me a price of $475, but that's a dealer. Some people are saying I should replace the water pump at the same time because everything is apart and might as well. They're also talking about cam and crank seals, replacing those.

This is my first Volkswagen and I don't know too much about them. Is this 2.0 an interference motor? If the timing belt goes will it bend valves or blow the motor? I know that these are pretty good motors, I just want to look into it.

So let me know if you have an idea of what it takes to do this job by yourself, it must be pretty straight forward. I've done head gaskets on a '98 F-150 with DOHC, so I know how tricky it is when you deal with timing.

Thanks guys, I look forward to some responses.

 

I wouldn't do it myself, I prolly could but there's some things I prefer not to do in my garage. Now if I worked for a dealer, or did the work at a mechanics shop then yea I woulod do it. I guess I just need that extra someone to lokk over my shoulder ever so often to make sure I'm not fubar-ing the job. thats what they teach you in the military anywyas so it's a nasty habit..lol. Anyways, job isn't too bad, but I'd rather let someone else do it who does it all the time.