Best Youtube video and tutorial on timing belt change?

Hi,

I will be doing my timing belt soon for the first time. The car has 180k miles on it and I have no idea if it has ever been done before.

Some questions:

1) What is the best youtube video out there for doing the job? I am kind of visual.

2) What is the best procedure with pictures for doing the job?

3) What kit do you suggest? I don't mind going with a good sold kit but it can be a bit wasteful to spend money on items that I don't need.

Thanks for your time!

The one in the "articles" section here is all I've ever needed. Others prefer the "myturbosiesel" site how to article, never looked at it personally.
http://pics3.tdiclub.com/pdf/a4timingbelt.pdf
Most/many YouTube videos for TDI TB jobs are hacks.
Do it step by step carefully. Not much/any room for mistakes.
VCDS is required to finalize checking and fine tuning the injection pump setting.

Awesome post. Thank you!!

Any votes for the Myturbodiesel site? Any success stories or failures?

Evovcds for youtube vids

Louie710 said:

Evovcds for youtube vids

Click to expand...

Thanks!

Looks like you can go broke on tools alone!

Many borrow or rent the tools. If you bought new timing belt tool kit + VCDS you'd be over $400. Not worth it for 1 use. And any OBDII device that reads MB 000, field 2 will allow you to fine tune the timing. You might find a genuine VCDS well worth it if you do all your own repairs. If you've done several TDI timing belts, you can ad lib the tools, but if it's your first I highly recommend the full kit.
https://www.dieselgeek.com/collections/vw-tdi-timing-belt-kits/products/alh-tdi-timing-belt-tool-kit

You don't have to buy VCDS. Get the engine running and then go find someone near you on this link to read the timing when you are ready to adjust. Most of the time it will be in the range where the car is drive-able.

http://www.maptive.com/ver3/VCDS_Locator

Thanks for the info. How much is VCDS?

2002_auto_tdi said:

Looks like you can go broke on tools alone!

Click to expand...

I've always bought my TB kits from Dennis at metalman. Service is great and quality parts, competitive (if not bargain) prices for OEM type comparative parts.
I've done the jobs sometimes borrowed a few of the tools, other times improvised and once or twice "rented" the tools when I purchased the kit depending on my time schedule(s).
VCDS I've had to have ever since owning the first VW.
https://www.metalmanparts.com/main.sc
Shameless plug to the metalman link above.

Very much appreciated everyone.

So I am ready to buy the tool kit from:

https://www.dieselgeek.com/collections/vw-tdi-timing-belt-kits/products/alh-tdi-timing-belt-tool-kit

I am also going to buy the timing belt kit from:

https://www.metalmanparts.com/main.sc

Questions:

1) Does that TOOL kit really have EVERYTHING that I need to do the job if I am following the procedure articulated at the below link? Still seems like I will need a few extra things mentioned in that pdf.

http://pics3.tdiclub.com/pdf/a4timingbelt.pdf

2) I am ready to get the T-belt kit from the below link. Is there a particular T-belt kit that you would suggest? The one at $375?

https://www.metalmanparts.com/main.sc

I don't know the history of the car at all as it pertains to the t-belt.

I just got a good job along with a mega commute and want to do this the right way. I could probably take it someplace and get this done and not have to do this myself for close to the same price all in all but I want to do this stuff myself. Tired of dealing with people burning me and worrying about Covid since I am in kind of a dirty area where many don't care about hygiene.

3) Would like to know where I can get VCDS not only use it to set timing but perform other tasks like check trans temperature for fluid changes and perform tasks like put the trans in economy mode or spot mode?

Sorry for the high level questions. I am rather ADHD and burnt out from working on cars over the years. It is very much a chore.

ADHD is not a factor when working the timing belt though. OCD kicks in there.

Thanks!

All depends on what you think you need. That kit includes coolant and the serpentine belt tensioner, which depending on condition and/or miles may be a good time to replace the tensioner. I know mine is shot and due to replace next time.
VCDS is available direct from the developer Ross-Tech. Really all you buy is the dedicated cable, the software is a free download.