Doc
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2000
- Location
- Greenville, RI,USA
Does the 2015 Golf TDI have a timing belt or a timing chain?
TDI timing belt/chain
- Thread starter Doc
- Start date
Doc
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2000
- Location
- Greenville, RI,USA
Timing belt/chain
Thanks. I made a decision in 2015 to buy the Golf SW TSI as it had a timing chain, as my '03 Jetta wagon had its belt changed with the water pump, costing $1000. But I miss the TDI and began thinking about a low mile 2015 TDI. But may as well forget it.
Thanks. I made a decision in 2015 to buy the Golf SW TSI as it had a timing chain, as my '03 Jetta wagon had its belt changed with the water pump, costing $1000. But I miss the TDI and began thinking about a low mile 2015 TDI. But may as well forget it.
turbocharged798
Veteran Member
VW and timing chains never seem to play well together.
Lightflyer1
Top Post Dawg
You really hate that .01 cent a mile it costs to do that every 100k miles? Have you explored the cost of timing chain replacement? They have parts that wear as well.
turbobrick240
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2014
- Location
- maine
- TDI
- 2011 vw golf tdi(gone to greener pastures), 2001 ford f250 powerstroke
The 2L tdi timing belt interval has been 130k miles since '11. Not a big deal, chains wear out too.
AndyBees
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- May 27, 2003
- Location
- Southeast Kentucky
- TDI
- Silver 2003 Jetta TDI, Silver 2000 Jetta TDI (sold), '84 Vanagon with '02 ALH engine
The real concern should be any and all of the components that are in the path of the TB. TBs are tough and will last a very long time, both miles and age. I've seen numerous TBs way beyond 120k miles.... all the way up to 150k. Seems a friend of mine has 170k on the OE TB. She has a 2001 Jetta Automatic....... sure, it is on death row.
1.4TDI PD
Well-known member
The timing belt is much quieter then a timing chain and vw also has problems with timing chains becuase over time they extend and you need to replace them which usually requires much more work and money then a timing belt change. if you don"t change the timing chain then your timing won"t be correct anymore if you wait too long they even snap and cause catastrophical engine damage.
Franko6
Vendor , w/Business number
From a bunch of people who know... I hope you are listening. The timing chain is not the only issue with the TSI. I'd go hunting around the net for more information before biting the bullet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIyxT3r5Ps8
Take it from one humble mechanic about another.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIyxT3r5Ps8
Take it from one humble mechanic about another.
Last edited:
oilhammer
Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Franko6
Vendor , w/Business number
Brian,
You have such an eloquent and tender-hearted way to put things...:0
You have such an eloquent and tender-hearted way to put things...:0
truman
Top Post Dawg
In current production, which VAG drive trains are worthy of consideration?
elcid86
Veteran Member
I got this unsolicited recommendation/quote from my local stealer-ship for timing belt and water pump today. $1400!
Lightflyer1
Top Post Dawg
$1400 isn't bad for a dealer "if" it includes a full list of parts and is done correctly.
AndyBees
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- May 27, 2003
- Location
- Southeast Kentucky
- TDI
- Silver 2003 Jetta TDI, Silver 2000 Jetta TDI (sold), '84 Vanagon with '02 ALH engine
And, I'd do it for half that price and you'd know it was done right!
Those "kits" need to be itemized or you have no clue what you're getting.
Didn't know there's a "pipe" needed when doing a TB job.. Hmmm.
Find a guru..
Those "kits" need to be itemized or you have no clue what you're getting.
Didn't know there's a "pipe" needed when doing a TB job.. Hmmm.
Find a guru..
dogdots
Vendor
Andy - that pipe is part of the emissions fix for his 2015, not part of the timing belt parts 
I agree on not having the dealer do the timing belt and finding a respected TDI mechanic do it.
I agree on not having the dealer do the timing belt and finding a respected TDI mechanic do it.
elcid86
Veteran Member
Andy - that pipe is part of the emissions fix for his 2015, not part of the timing belt parts
I agree on not having the dealer do the timing belt and finding a respected TDI mechanic do it.
Yep, that’s the receipt from phase 2 recall work with recommendation and price (very round number) on the WP/TB.
I’ve reached out to Tom (ninedee_golf_tdi) here in my area and I hope he’ll have me!
Mekiter
New member
Local Dealership gave me a price of $700 for parts and labor. I'm getting close now @ 118000 and will need it done this spring. Looking at parts and tooling to do myself is over $800. Having the dealership do it and "IF" there are any engine after change out I'll have a leg to stand on for VW warranty. My 2 anyway
turbobrick240
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2014
- Location
- maine
- TDI
- 2011 vw golf tdi(gone to greener pastures), 2001 ford f250 powerstroke
You should be able to get a complete high quality kit and tools for $500 or less. If you don't already have some basic tools like sockets and ratchet & wrenches, this might not be job you should tackle by yourself.
andreigbs
Veteran Member
^^^ This. Unless one is really comfortable tackling big jobs (and I consider TBs to be a big job), I'd rather pay a pro to do it right instead of risking huge potential damage down the road later.
As often as TBs need replacing, I'd advise having a guru do it. Save yourself the hassle and enjoy peace of mind. Heck, maybe they'll even let you watch. That way you get a sense of all that's involved and you'll appreciate the expertise a real TDI guru truly has.
elcid86
Veteran Member
The few shops I’ve spoke with say there are special tools needed for this and no parts kits that they know of. Quotes have been similar to the dealer of $1400-1600 :-(
BobnOH
not-a-mechanic
Well that's nuts, ID has kits for $370. And a shop shouldn't be charging you for tools. That's why they have hourly rates of $100 or more.
Best talk to a few more shops, find someone with actual positive experience working on TDIs.
Best talk to a few more shops, find someone with actual positive experience working on TDIs.
Lightflyer1
Top Post Dawg
So let me do your homework for you.
https://www.idparts.com/timing-belt-kit-crua-cvca-p-7237.html
https://www.idparts.com/timing-belt-tools-ea288-p-10516.html
Mekiter
New member
Found
https://www.kermatdi.com/i-2484-tim....html#!year=2015||make=VOLKSWAGEN||model=GOLF
But still would need the specialty belt tooling. I have everything required including a lift.
I’ll go back to the dealer to get a detailed quote fairly soon.
https://www.kermatdi.com/i-2484-tim....html#!year=2015||make=VOLKSWAGEN||model=GOLF
But still would need the specialty belt tooling. I have everything required including a lift.
I’ll go back to the dealer to get a detailed quote fairly soon.
elcid86
Veteran Member
Thanks. That is helpful. I guess I shouldn't take the shop's word...
elcid86
Veteran Member
Any thoughts on having the dealer do it since VWUSA has now so graciously extended the warranty on the car...? I can foresee them giving me grief if in fact there are engine problems later and they didn't do the WP/TB job. Then I'm playing man-in-the-middle with the shop and VWofA? Just thinking out loud.