Is there a way to tell if your timing belt was swapped??

[Dee-Bug]

I was probing on my 99 Beetle and read on a thread that you should inspect the timing belt for fraying,cracking,etc. I unsnapped the cover off and took a look at things. I looked at the belt and it "appears" to be new looking. I have had other timing belt cars and have some experience as to what they should look like.I found on the belt a place where there is a part number and a brand name stamped in a yellow area,but it's hard to totally read.It appears to be like Centech or something like that. Would that be the original belt by chance? The belt looks like new and from what little I see there isn't any cracking or fraying. I want my wife to help bump the motor over to see if I can locate any more numbers on the belt. I have 86,000 miles on the car and will replace the timing belt but if this was already done,I'd rather buy another timing kit for the next round. Also,the EGR appears to have been replaced,but I have no records stating that it was done. It looks way too shiny to be original.I can provide a couple pics if necessary...

 

[Jeff Heyerman]

The advice you will get here from almost all is that if you do not know exactly the history of the TB/TB replacement including that all "should-be" parts were replaced, then get a new TB put on as soon as possible (including all rollers, tensioner, water pump, and new stretch bolts). The consequences of failure are not worth the risk in most people's opinion.

Failure of the TB in theses cars is usually a secondary effect of roller, water pump, or tensioner seizure.

 

[rackaracka]

The belt says Contitech - who is an OEM supplier.(A division of CRP or Continental Rubber Products) It's likely that the belt is original. The OEM belts in 99 were shiny, the replacement 100k belt from Contitech has cross hatches on the surface.

As Jeff recommends, do yourself a favor and do a complete timing belt job. If the belt was changed there is a good chance that the water pump wasn't changed - since it was recommended for replacement at the second interval. The plastic impeller water pump in your car will usually fail around 100k.

Good luck!

 

[TonyJetta]

Agreed!

TB kit ~$300
Labor...depends on shop/guru
Preventing failure...saving $1500 or more!

Tony

 

[BryceShelton]

My last timing belt that had 157,000 km on it came off looking new.

Also, its rarely the belt that fails but the several pulleys and water pumps along the way the belt travels.

 

[Dee-Bug]

Thanks guys,it helped alot. We are about to park the Beetle for the winter months and I planned to get the parts and have it done. I just wanted to get a few more trips while the weather was still nice and enjoy it till March/April. I have a few other things that I am doing to it as well over the winter months,so it looks like I need to order some parts now..

 

[BryceShelton]

I recommend the kit offered by BoraParts.

My Jetta was at around 385000, so i replaced the Serp Belt Tensioner as well. Luckily, my serp belt tensioner started to fail about a day after I placed my order.

It was a nice coincidence.

 

[Dee-Bug]

One more thing I forgot to ask. It seems like the glow plugs aren't really working on the car. I turn the key on,the glow plug light goes off in about 5 seconds but sometimes it cranks for a long feeling time till it starts.About 8-10 seconds maybe a little longer. Is there a way to check the glow plugs are indeed working? I have ordered a Bentley manual but it wont be here for a week.Sorry for the newbie questions.

 

[TonyJetta]

I turn the key on,the glow plug light goes off in about 5 seconds...

Normal. On my '96 the GP light stays on for 1-2 seconds after the key is turned on. The GP's actually stay on, after the GP light turned off. On my '96, at ~40F ambient the GP's stay on until water temp reaches about 90F (a rough guess).

...sometimes it cranks for a long feeling time till it starts.About 8-10 seconds maybe a little longer.

You might have an issue with a glow plug, or the harness.

Is there a way to check the glow plugs are indeed working?

There sure is a way to check the GP system! At the top of TDI101, there is a sticky, "Car won't start in the cold".

It also helps to have VCDS (was vag-com). VCDS will tell you if you have any codes, and in your case, GP related codes.

Sorry for the newbie questions.

No problem. There is a LOT of information here. Read up and feel free to ask questions!

Tony