Does anybody know when you exactly should replace the timing belt on a 2002 Passat (1.8L Turbo)? The dealer told me at 60,000, but then the owner's manual says not till 100,000 I believe. Any input would be greatly appreciated....

Thanks,

Cornee van der Linden

 

I own a 2001 Passat and the dealership says that around 105,000 you need to replace the timing belt on the car and they also highly recommend replacing the water pump at the same time so you don’t have to go back and have it worked on later. VW Dealer wanted $1,025. I went to a small guy who specialized in VW's only and paid $943 for the timing belt, new water pump, full tune up and new belts. He gave me all of the old parts and he had to put in a new timing belt roller, mine was broken. I have the oldtiming belt and it is frayed at the sides and I had mine done at 106,388 miles. Hope this helps.

 

ok, i know im a little late on this topic, but i did a timing belt on my 01 b5 with the 1.8t and when i pulled the water pump out it was in pieces and that was at 70,000 miles also the tensioner was shot, so imo i would do it asap

 

The book may say at every 100,000 miles, but that is and interferance engine which means if that belt breaks, you will bend the valves in the head and render the car usless and cost you thousands of dollars. My suggestion is to change it at 60,000 miles because that is the ideal time for all belts and that is definately the most important belt on the car. And you should replace water pump too because of its location and because it has 60,000 miles on it. Hope this helps.

 

I just learned this one the hard way. At 70,000 miles, my water pump bearings blew out and consequently I had to replace the timing belt as well (apparently du to its proximity). Dealer was of NO help in warning me about potential for failure....