hey guys,

'01 jetta i have has just hit the 100K mark. Gf bought it with around 70k on it and i doubt the previous owners did a timing belt on it. i'm a mechanic for a living but i've only done timing chains on old GMs and over head valve engines, never a timing belt for over head cam. i've always heard that vw's are tricky to work on, but how hard is it to do a timing belt on this car? it's got the 2.0L 4 cylinder. any help whatsoever is much appreciated. gonna grab a haynes manual tomorrow to study about it more.

 

Just remember.... A mechanic can do some repairs.
A Technician is educated and can do, i'm a Tech and
a darn good one, hope your a Tech and not a mechanic.
If you can do those timing chains, with a Hanes you
can do the belt, Just remember don't turn the engine
with the belt off , you will bend the valves.

 

sorry, dog, i was speaking generally. i am a tech. i'm not going to justify myself as being a tech because i'm ASE certified, but i've done alot of different repairs over the years and i've done them right.

now back to the topic:

sounds very similar to how the honda engines are, as they are interference, too. is it easy to turn the engine/cam gears when removing/installing the belt? how do i prevent it from moving on accident? probably should get a cam holder, right? it can't be as easy as take cover off, release tensioner, slide off belt, replace water pump, replace tensioner, slide belt back on, and have fun?

didn't get a chance to get a haynes manual since i caught the flu. just trying to get an idea while i'm recovering.

 

Soundscorrect to me, just remember to check out the
timming marks first, get them aligned then do the wrench
thing, I always remove the spark plugs, that keeps the
crank from turning by supprise. The cam shouldn't move
on you with the marks in line. The engine is very easy to
rotate. The tension is about the same on all the cam belts
on any engine. We found years ago to use GOOD YEAR or
Dayco brand belts, their a lot stronger than other brands.
GOOD LUCK and have fun on the job.

 

thanks for the advise, dog. i now have a greater idea of what to expect. great knowledge, man.

 

A BIG 10-4