Is it possible for avge joe to replace timing belt

[weggman]

Hi all,
I was just viewing the timing belt teaser and I don't believe I can do this at home with regular tools. I've put timing belts on rabbits, Imark diesels, dodge mini vans, nissian trucks, toyotas, mazdas, fords and ton's more and I'M afraid to touch my TDI after seeing that vid with all the tools. Where the hell am I going to get some of those tools, not from VW, I can't even get a spare key made!
How many of us average joes have replaced this belt. Is it worth the special tool or is it soooo expensive that it warrents this stuff or do you even need all those tools?
Anyone bueler, anyone attempted this!!!

 

[lrpavlo]

I bought the tools, I have 5 of them but I've done a lot more T belts on other's cars! I think we are pretty lucky in MI to have such a talented group near by! You could host a GTG and see if you could attract someone with the specialized tools to lend you a hand or you could drive to a place where someone is doing a T belt....or there are a few folks that rent out their tools!!!

 

[RevKaos]

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing. My Jetta is getting up there in mileage and I need to be thinking about the timing belt. The VW dealer quoted me $557 plus tax for a new one. I figure I could get all the parts plus tools for less than $400 maybe $350-375. But is it worth it? It would no doubt be for me the greatest mechanical job I've ever done personally. I'm worried that I would get into a situation where I can't get out of. Also, it just not the $$$, I really, really, really, don't want the VW service idiots touching my car. I hate the thought of even giving them more money.

 

[oldpoopie]

Sure, I've dont a few belts too.

 

[Lectric_Dave]

My name is Dave, maybe average Dave, and I have replaced my own timing belt, cleaned my own EGR/intake and replaced my own shocks, struts and brakes. One of the big ticket items is the invaluable VAG-COM. Get it. My golf is coming up on 140k and I have all the parts to do it all again. I have bought some tools from metalnerd and some I have made. Study, prepare and above all else, know thy timing marks. You have the power within you but only you will know when you are ready. Or not. Call for a local gathering and watch someone else first. Do not feel alone. I am sure many good people here would call you and walk you through any parts you are not comfortable with. I will be first. PM me for cell# if you need it.

Dave

 

[ymz]

A better question is: Is it possible for the average mechanic (or worse yet: the average VW Dealership) to properly replace a timing belt ??

If you can find a reliable techie who's done a number of them (such as some of the experts on this board), you'll get it done correctly and without too much extra expense. If you have any friends with TDIs who may want to pool their money and buy a set of belt changing tools, you can probably do it better than your local dealership - unless yours is the rare one which can be trusted to this...

It would help if you could attend a few GTs, hopefully where some belts are being changed... if you see a few of them being done, it may convince you that it's possible, although there's a fair bit of dirty-work to do...

To repeat my awful pun from the last GT: This really _is_ Sprocket Science...

(I have located a reliable mechanic nearby and will most likely go there, unless someone in the family gets another TDI... then I'll buy the tools...)

All the best,

 

[delste]

Average Dave:

Average Dave "makes his own tools". Thats not average in my book

 

[Lectric_Dave]

Thank you!!!!

Maybe I should have said modified because I have never in my life (yet) mined my own iron ore and made my own tools. But I have cut off the end of a hex key and I have put some stuff together to pressurize my brake system when I changed the fluid. Hmmmm. Nope, just an average Dave here. (don't know anything about Joe). You can do it too.
I think the fact that you are reading this puts you in the above average group at a minimum.