Stumped by a dead start -timing belt?

[not a mechanic need help]

Mileage is at about 380,000 - 2002 jetta that is just failing everything. Drove fine with difficulty starting but once warmed up ran fine. Changed the glow plugs and wiring harness. Starter is fine, changed the 109 relay power supply - still a no go. Someone suggested the timing belt? Did a compression check and the most 198 was the highest pressure in a test. ( this is not me doing the work, its my son and stumped - he wants to strip her out for parts, I still have a sense it can be revived - tips? Ideas? Direction appreciated - thank you, Shar

 

[P2B]

Check the timing belt! Rotate it through a full revolution by hand using a socket on the crank bolt and carefully check for damage or missing teeth.

 

[Tdijarhead]

Yeah check that belt, 198 when all four cylinders should be around 500. Make sure the tester is good and being used properly, but 198 and lower doesn’t sound to good for that engine.

 

[not a mechanic need help]

Thank you so much!

Yeah check that belt, 198 when all four cylinders should be around 500. Make sure the tester is good and being used properly, but 198 and lower doesn’t sound to good for that engine.

if the compression is so bad, does that mean it may as well be parted out? :'( or there is hope? ( when I say hope, meaning its a matter of changing the belt and should be fine or waste of time? - I know its a big overhaul and I dont want to send him on a goose chase of whats going on. The car is old after all.... is there anything else we should be looking for?

 

[P2B]

Check the belt and go from there. Compression readings may not be valid if it has failed.

 

[Tdijarhead]

Likely if there has been failure a new head would fix it right up. However as P2B has said you need to check the belt. Look for stripped teeth and if all the teeth are present set the engine to TDC and see if everything lines up or there is a problem.

 

[not a mechanic need help]

Likely if there has been failure a new head would fix it right up. However as P2B has said you need to check the belt. Look for stripped teeth and if all the teeth are present set the engine to TDC and see if everything lines up or there is a problem.

Thank you! He checked and it appears that the timing is fine. He is going to have a friend help make sure. Appreciate the tips from all here! thank you so much
Its like a needle in a haystack sort of gremlin at this point. But... he does have time to look into it