2014 Sportwagon: timing belt and engine/trans mounts

[terriblespeller]

Hello, our sports wagon has 100k and its great. We have it listed on FB marketplace for $10k, but I'm thinking of keeping it and selling my Toyota Matrix (back story, the TDI is my wife, she bought a new electric and doesn't want two cars).

I've had a tech tell me the engine mounts (and I believe trans mounts as well) need to be replaced. Also, that the timing belt is deterorating due to age. I'm handy and it seems the kit is an easy/cheap solution. I'm wondering if doing the engine mounts while doing the belt make sense or if it opens another can of worms and is best left for a pro.

Ability wise, I am very able and capable hands on type, however I do not have much experience with autos (mainly carpentry, metal work, electronics, etc).

do you all think I'd be best off having a tech do this or will I be able to also change the mounts while I'm in there without creating a nightmare for myself?\

thanks

 

[lemoncurd]

Hello, our sports wagon has 100k and its great. We have it listed on FB marketplace for $10k, but I'm thinking of keeping it and selling my Toyota Matrix (back story, the TDI is my wife, she bought a new electric and doesn't want two cars).

I've had a tech tell me the engine mounts (and I believe trans mounts as well) need to be replaced. Also, that the timing belt is deterorating due to age. I'm handy and it seems the kit is an easy/cheap solution. I'm wondering if doing the engine mounts while doing the belt make sense or if it opens another can of worms and is best left for a pro.

Ability wise, I am very able and capable hands on type, however I do not have much experience with autos (mainly carpentry, metal work, electronics, etc).

do you all think I'd be best off having a tech do this or will I be able to also change the mounts while I'm in there without creating a nightmare for myself?\

thanks

it is pretty easy to do, i did it in a weekend while taking my time. could probably do it in 3-4 hours now.

it is easy to replace the motor mounts while doing timing belt, if you follow VW SOP then you are SUPPOSED to remove the engine mount anyways! simply replace with a new one when putting it all back together. the trans mount is also easy pz, remove the battery, then battery tray, then support transmission from below with jack, and remove the mount.

Timing Belt Kit (CBEA CJAA)

Timing belt kit for all Common-Rail, "clean diesel" TDI, including 2009+Jetta, Golf and Sportwagen. All components of this kit are rated for the full 120k mile timing belt change interval and are m...

www.idparts.com

CBEA/CJAA VW Jetta, Golf, JSW TDI timing belt removal-part 1 | VW TDI forum, Audi, Porsche, and Chevy Cruze diesel forum

VW and Audi TDI forum, and Chevy Cruze diesel forum

web.archive.org

CBEA/CJAA VW Golf, Jetta, JSW TDI timing belt removal-part 2 | VW TDI forum, Audi, Porsche, and Chevy Cruze diesel forum

VW and Audi TDI forum, and Chevy Cruze diesel forum

web.archive.org

fwiw, when i did my timing belt, i did NOT remove that metal cage thing, nor did i remove the engine mount. i removed the tensioner WITH the stud, the "pro" method.

when i do my service again, i will do it exactly like this again.

replacing the mounts by themselves takes like maybe 30mins to an hour. i can do it pretty quick no problem. the worst part is getting the damn battery out of the engine bay. thing is a boat anchor!

EDIT: the IDparts kit is good. however i would just use it to compile a list of PN's you need to do the job. then go buy those parts from FCPeuro. their lifetime warranty is great!!

 

[Bob S.]

+1 on Lemoncurd post.

 

[turbobrick240]

C'mon man, the battery? It's tiny, and they even put a handle on it. What's the metal cage thing?

 

[Nuje]

CBEA/CJAA VW Jetta, Golf, JSW TDI timing belt removal-part 1 | VW TDI forum, Audi, Porsche, and Chevy Cruze diesel forum

VW and Audi TDI forum, and Chevy Cruze diesel forum

web.archive.org

CBEA/CJAA VW Golf, Jetta, JSW TDI timing belt removal-part 2 | VW TDI forum, Audi, Porsche, and Chevy Cruze diesel forum

VW and Audi TDI forum, and Chevy Cruze diesel forum

web.archive.org

Thanks for digging those how-tos out of the Internet Archive! Such a shame what happened to MyTurboDiesel.com when @chittychittybangbang gave up (or lost, or sold) control.

 

[lemoncurd]

C'mon man, the battery? It's tiny, and they even put a handle on it. What's the metal cage thing?

Yes, the battery is the worst part of a transmission mount job. That should show you how easy the job really is

metal cage thing = what the engine mount attaches to the engine with. I don’t recall the name of it so, metal cage thing lol

 

[IndigoBlueWagon]

For what it's worth, Gates timing belt kits come with a 100K mile warranty.

 

[turbobrick240]

metal cage thing = what the engine mount attaches to the engine with. I don’t recall the name of it so, metal cage thing lol

Cool. I just call that the mount. I did the vice grip to tensioner stud method too, so never messed with that.

 

[terriblespeller]

How much would you guys pay to have a tech do it? Just to save time and aggravation. Or is really just super easy?

 

[Bob S.]

As you R&R the Timing Belt, IMO & experience, replacing the lower timing belt cover with the reduced clearance cover is a very prudent investment given the number of CR engines where the serpentine belt entered the Timing Belt area typically from alternator pulley problems. Search the subject if unfamiliar with it. These are available from most of the trusted suppliers. https://whitbreadperformance.com/products/common-rail-tdi-lower-timing-belt-cover

 

[lemoncurd]

How much would you guys pay to have a tech do it? Just to save time and aggravation. Or is really just super easy?

labor costs are quite high now.

i see timing belt quotes go for 1.7-2k frequently. including parts

if youre comfortable working on cars, and you have the time i would personally do it myself. but nothing wrong with letting a shop do it

 

[vincej]

I installed our timing belt and serpentine belt kits this weekend. How long does an alternator last? So far the pulley clutch is still OK. Ours has 178k kms (111k mi).

 

[P2B]

I installed our timing belt and serpentine belt kits this weekend. How long does an alternator last? So far the pulley clutch is still OK. Ours has 178k kms (111k mi).

On the ALH I install a new alternator pulley during the timing belt job because they rarely last until the next TB. Not sure if that applies to the newer cars, but I suspect it does.

 

[lemoncurd]

I installed our timing belt and serpentine belt kits this weekend. How long does an alternator last? So far the pulley clutch is still OK. Ours has 178k kms (111k mi).

i have 236k miles on my CJAA now, the alternator pulley clutch seems to be going out right about now. just in time for my second timing belt

 

[Bob S.]

i have 236k miles on my CJAA now, the alternator pulley clutch seems to be going out right about now. just in time for my second timing belt

That is one that I would not ignore. If you don't have it yet, install a reduced clearance lower T belt cover during the service. Enjoy the wrenching.

 

[cdi320]

Yes, the battery is the worst part of a transmission mount job. That should show you how easy the job really is

metal cage thing = what the engine mount attaches to the engine with. I don’t recall the name of it so, metal cage thing lol

Going to slightly thread hijack here, but why does the battery need to be removed to do the transmission mount? I had the airbox out a while back when I was adjusting the shift linkage and from what I remember, the transmission mount is readily accessible with the airbox removed, but I wasn't paying close attention to it. I ask because I'll be doing my mounts soon aswell

 

[lemoncurd]

Going to slightly thread hijack here, but why does the battery need to be removed to do the transmission mount? I had the airbox out a while back when I was adjusting the shift linkage and from what I remember, the transmission mount is readily accessible with the airbox removed, but I wasn't paying close attention to it. I ask because I'll be doing my mounts soon aswell

i've replaced my transmission mount 3 times now. it may be different for a manual, but i know for certain with my DSG the battery tray must be removed, therefor the battery must be removed.

otherwise the mount is just inaccessible. even a manual should be the same procedure... transmission type wont change where the mount connects to the vehicle.

 

[cdi320]

i've replaced my transmission mount 3 times now. it may be different for a manual, but i know for certain with my DSG the battery tray must be removed, therefor the battery must be removed.

otherwise the mount is just inaccessible. even a manual should be the same procedure... transmission type wont change where the mount connects to the vehicle.

Yea probably on a manual too, I will see when I do mine in the coming months, thanks for the info

 

[Analogeezer]

FWIW there was a really great pdf with pictures and instructions here on doing the TB and other bits. 40 PAGES worth. But a good read.

https://pics.tdiclub.com/data/500/CR_Timing_belt_procedure_Rev2.pdf

Analogeezer