Cost to replace timing belt
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Passat or Jetta/Golf/New Beetle? Be sure that the water pump, tensioner and idler are also replaced...
Are you doing the going to a dealership, private garage, or a TDI-Specialist (many of those are referred-to as "Gurus" over on the TDIclub)...
Please go over the procedure that's outlined in the 1000q "how To" section here so that you can ask the proper questions... (such as what lockdown tools they use...)
Dealership will be the most expensive, naturally, possibly around $1000... An independent could charge around $500...
Closest TDI-Specialist to you known to me would be in Davidson...
Yuri
Are you doing the going to a dealership, private garage, or a TDI-Specialist (many of those are referred-to as "Gurus" over on the TDIclub)...
Please go over the procedure that's outlined in the 1000q "how To" section here so that you can ask the proper questions... (such as what lockdown tools they use...)
Dealership will be the most expensive, naturally, possibly around $1000... An independent could charge around $500...
Closest TDI-Specialist to you known to me would be in Davidson...
Yuri
It's a term that has sort evolved to describe those mechanics who have a record of performing (mostly) timing belt changes in the proper manner, without taking shortcuts... Some operate garages, some work out of their homes, some do this full-time, some only on weekends. The bottom line is that they'll use (or recommend for you to buy) a complete kit of parts - many dealers and garages leave out components or bolts, not to mention that many old-time VW "specialists" don't lock down the engines but use what has become to be derisively called "mark and pray"...
Yuri
Yuri
For sure, the force behind this wonderful website is a TDI guru... I didn't know that he works on other people's cars, as he's never made it obvious...
Yuri
New here so I don't know. But .... where is the list of gurus? What are the criteria for getting on it? Could someone who is not on it do just as well?
I got a reasonable quote (650 to 700 incl w/p) from a local garage whom a close friend trusted with her VW for years. What questions would you guys ask them before letting them work on my car?
Thanks for your very helpful input. Great forum. I've just never neede to do much work on my VW Golf TDI!
Jeff
I got a reasonable quote (650 to 700 incl w/p) from a local garage whom a close friend trusted with her VW for years. What questions would you guys ask them before letting them work on my car?
Thanks for your very helpful input. Great forum. I've just never neede to do much work on my VW Golf TDI!
Jeff
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23,883 Posts
Hey thanks, I'm not a guru, I just document everything I do which makes me seem more experienced than I really am.
Hey thanks, it does take a bit of work to keep the website updated and add more material. I do not work on anyone else's car but will sometimes help someone else do a complex job. Te level of knowledge by the true gurus is far greater. The trick is getting you guys to share it
You could print out the DIY and ask them to review it. That price is good. There's a list of mechanics on TDIclub but since it's based on user recommendations, your mileage may vary. I have been reluctant to start a list for two reasons.
One, a recommend shop local to me didn't know what they were doing based off their inability to fix an extremely common problem but got a recommendation. There are other gurus who are quite competent but are guys working out of their garage with no insurance and no license.
Two, for legal reasons, I do not want to publicly recommend any mechanic unless they are a real business. Therefore, any list of recommended mechanics would have to be created and maintained by forum users which goes back to problem #1: How to verify the quality of their work to ensure the high standards of the list? They could get lucky or have a bad day, and the customer often doesn't know if something was done right or not.
About 1,100.00 in Oklahoma includes parts.
Sounds like a dealership price... if you happen to be driving to Dallas or Tulsa you can get high quality work done for a lot less...
Yuri
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57 Posts
I'd say if you can get it done for $500, I'd jump at that. I just replaced the timing belt on my 2000 Golf and I paid $180 for the parts plus $230 for the appropriate locking tools, so that right there is already north of $400. If you factor in the amount of time it takes you to perform the whole task, the other tools you'll need if you don't already have them, and the possibility that you might goof up and have to start over (which I did), honestly anything below $700 or $800 seems pretty fair to me.
In the end though I was able to do it successfully, and I'm glad I did because I learned a lot. Having this site to use as a resource was immensely helpful though, and again, I thank you guys. If you are mechanically inclined and time isn't necessarily pressing you, you might enjoy doing the job yourself.
Whichever route you decide to take, good luck with your vehicle Jeff!
In the end though I was able to do it successfully, and I'm glad I did because I learned a lot. Having this site to use as a resource was immensely helpful though, and again, I thank you guys. If you are mechanically inclined and time isn't necessarily pressing you, you might enjoy doing the job yourself.
Whichever route you decide to take, good luck with your vehicle Jeff!
Davep
Thanks
jeff, let me know what cost you incurred for your timing belt and related parts.
Thanks
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23,883 Posts
davep, read the BRM PD timing belt article in the mk5 FAQ. You posted in the mk4 FAQ, they are talking about a different engine. There's links to parts vendors where you can look at prices. Don't buy super super cheap parts because they'll be the made in China ones...
There are things that need checking in addition to simply replacing the belt(s), tensioner, water pump and idler on your car. This model (BRM engine) is known for wearing out the camshaft and lifters, which may raise the price substantially.
For a procedure that only has to be performed every 80 - 100,000 miles, price or convenience shouldn't be the overriding factor... just get it done properly! I initially thought you were in Redmond, WA... there's a very good TDI specialist shop there... in your case, I don't know of anyone closer than Portland I would trust with this... sorry...
All the best,
Yuri
Sorry to bump an old thread, but I need advice. I purchased a 2012 Passat SE TDI just about 3 weeks back. It is high mileage and will break 100,000 on Friday. I don't want to risk damaging my daily driver, so I am looking to get the timing belt replaced soon. I'm in the Des Moines, IA area. I've got a dealership and an independent (large) European auto specialist in the area. The independent quoted $1200 for the TBelt w/water pump. I'll have a price tomorrow from the dealership. Are there other options in the area that I could consider?
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