Timing belt replacement schedule advice

[SirDeath]

I have a 2006.5 MK V TDI Jetta. It's served me faithfully for almost 10 years now, but I only have a hair over 60K miles on her. I'm PARANOID about the timing belt ever since a friends non-TDI New Beetle shredded a timing belt and the engine along with it at just 55K and 7 years. So my question is should I replace the timing belt at my next service (the 60K mile one) or can I really hold out for the full 100K? I live in the southeast US so heat and humidity perish the rubber on most thing far quicker than other locations. Also does anyone know how much the install of a new belt should cost? I usually get serviced at a dealer since a good TDI mechanic is a good distance and a lot of traffic on the the other side of town. Thanks!

 

[jetta 97]

80000 miles or every 5 years .

 

[whitedog]

80000 miles or every 5 years .

Yep, that is the revised mileage. And you are twice the limit on age, so now you can be extra paranoid until you get it changed out at the next service.

 

[sootchucker]

where in SE FL do you live

 

[SirDeath]

I'm in the GA/NC/SC area... but originally from FL west coast aka god's waiting room.

 

[SirDeath]

I was going by the this schedule:
http://pics.tdiclub.com/data/516/2006_All.pdf
I didn't know there was a revision!!!

 

[Andrewh]

the people that make the belts say every 6 years or mileage.

 

[DidJettarun]

Sadly, the people who make the belts are not aware of the well documented cam/lifter failure rate that plague the BRM engine. I would pull off the valve cover and do a cam inspection NOW. It is very easy to do and you can find lots of pictures and discussions of this procedure. If you find that the cam lobes are sharp instead of beveled or see copper color or depression in the center of the lifter you will need to replace the cam/lifters and will also do a timing belt change at that time. Buy the parts, if necessary, from a trusted vendor here on the site. I have changed several heads for folks who bought cheap Chinese parts and lost head as a result of belt related failure at like 12K after change. Scott Kraut is Jacksonville can do the work if you are not comfortable or drive to Columbia, SC and I can help you do the work yourself. I have all of the VW special tools and a VCDS cable besides doing my 2005.5 several times myself and of course did the cam replacement at 103K. Figure 15mins for the cam inspection and about 5 hrs for a cam replacement/timing belt.