TB Interval- Mileage v. Time

[richmondvatdi]

I handed down my BEW wagon to my daughter so it doesn't see the miles I had been putting on it. I did the last TB (plus Frank06 camshaft and lifters) in Nov. 2018 and 245K miles. Right now, it's at 315K so 70K, just over 5 years. Should I bite the bullet and do it soon or wait until 80K?

 

[turbocharged798]

I went 14 years on my last BEW timing belt change. Not saying its a good thing to do but it held up. I think the waterpump was starting to fail because there was quite a bit of dried coolant around it.

It was around 90,000 miles on the belt.

 

[MrCypherr]

I always say, if you have to question it or if youre not sure, then I would do it for piece of mind. As everyone knows, its not something you want to play around with and hold off.

 

[tikal]

I am starting to face the same dilemma: last timing belt (OEM quality from Dieselgeek) on my 2004 Passat was done May 2018 and around 72,000 miles ago. Funds running somewhat low right now due to other work I had to do first.

 

[Tom in PT]

I had an original timing belt in a 1998 Lexus last over 146,000 miles and 24 years before I changed it (after I just purchased the vehicle). VW is no Lexus for sure but I am in the camp that says a VW timing belt will last much more than 6 years and 72000 miles. In my 2013 Passat TDI I am on the original belt at 71,000 miles and not planning on changing it until I reach at least 100,000 miles. The manual says the belt in the '13 is due for change at 130,000 miles IIRC. In my B5.5 I changed the belt after about 10 years and ~ 80K miles.

 

[fordt]

Same here. 03 Golf with 321K with last TB done at 281K BUT in May of 2018, so 6 years….so I’m really just thinking the years is the only reason. Also finding a shop these days in TX since Robby closed is a royal PITA….at least Dieselgeek is still selling the kits!

 

[Zak99b5]

Plus, on a B5 you can just swing the entire rad support open like a gate (A/C hoses bend at the "hinge") and have TONS of room to do the belt comfortably. No PIA frame rail or motor mount in the way.

 

[tikal]

Same here. 03 Golf with 321K with last TB done at 281K BUT in May of 2018, so 6 years….so I’m really just thinking the years is the only reason. Also finding a shop these days in TX since Robby closed is a royal PITA….at least Dieselgeek is still selling the kits!

Dieselgeek does not sell anymore the B5 TB kit. Yes there are other places online to get it fortunately.

 

[The Cream Dolphin]

0̷2 golf, also with a 20̷18 TB... lots of us out there. 85k km (52k miles) I am going to carry on because when it got changed in 20̷18, I am pretty sure it had been there a long long time previously.

 

[pkhoury]

Same here. 03 Golf with 321K with last TB done at 281K BUT in May of 2018, so 6 years….so I’m really just thinking the years is the only reason. Also finding a shop these days in TX since Robby closed is a royal PITA….at least Dieselgeek is still selling the kits!

Assuming you're in Comfort, I can do an ALH timing belt. I learned originally by watching my late best friend Brian do it on one of my ALHs and then he supervised while I did it on my Golf, and have since done a bunch of them on my own fleet of TDIs that I own or have sold. I actually drive through Comfort fairly often, opting to take 27 to get to I-10.

Dieselgeek is based in Colorado now, but the new owners are pretty decent people. But yeah, finding a TDI shop in our neck of the woods is damn near impossible.