What Cam & timing belt kit to buy?

My 2006 Jetta TDI hit 205K miles and due for a new timing belt and reading all the posts it looks like I should replace the camshaft too. I just want a stock profile cam since it's just a driver where mileage and dependability are # 1 for me. Does anyone have a sale on these kits now? I don't want to skimp and buy something off ebay that will cause problems in the near future either.
TIA

The kit from IDParts is a safe bet. That's what I put in on my car a few years ago.

When in doubt, you can pull the valve cover and see if there's any visible damage. If you're good with a set of tools, I'd run it if it doesn't look bad, then change it if it gets to that point. It's pretty easy to change the timing belt and pull the cam on these cars. If you think it'll take you all weekend and never want to dip back in the engine bay, then it's wise to change it.

I'd also take a few extra minutes to pull the airbox and battery tray and clean those main grounds while you have your tools out.

57ringo said:

My 2006 Jetta TDI hit 205K miles and due for a new timing belt and reading all the posts it looks like I should replace the camshaft too. I just want a stock profile cam since it's just a driver where mileage and dependability are # 1 for me. Does anyone have a sale on these kits now? I don't want to skimp and buy something off ebay that will cause problems in the near future either.
TIA

Click to expand...

Speaking from my own experience I would advise a kit containing a Colt Stage 2 camshaft. 2020 will be the 7th year and 70K miles since I replaced mine. I sourced most of the required parts from ID parts but sourced the camshaft from a different vendor since I wanted a colt camshaft as they are made from a forged steel billet and hardened. The Colt cams also have a proprietary lobe profile more suitable to the flat tappet cam followers and narrow cam lobes. My stock camshaft that came in the car from the factory started to fail in the second year of ownership as indicated by oil analysis indicating high and excessive Iron in the oil. VW was deaf to my plight so it was like watching a train wreck in slow motion. My oil analysis became progressively worse until I received my final test report as my car neared the end of the warranty indicating in red print that I had an engine failure in progress and to not drive the car until remedial action is taken. VW's response was that they don't recognize used oil analysis.

Fortunately, the IDParts cam is also billet instead of cast. Supposedly it's made by the same company that makes Colt's BRM camshaft.

Fcp euro has the kolbenschmit cam and kit. I believe it's the same cam as id parts.
If I were to do it over, I'd go with the Colt, since it's profile is not supposed to wear as easily. I put one in from id parts, and it lasted 30k miles, until my tandem pump went out and leaked fuel into the oil, and it wore my cam out.

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Franks TDI BEW re-profiled kit is what I'd recommend and have installed before. Unbelievable service, complete kit and knowledge from one of our Guru's here and the kit has some advantages over standard replacement kits for sure.

Frank kind of pioneered the "*** did VW do in this thing" around the lubrication system here so he really knows his stuff, to say the least.

Got 40k on a ID Parts cam so far and no issues.

What did you end up with?

been too busy to mess with it yet

The FCP kit is a good deal. With the lifetime warranty you can’t go wrong.