The consensus on this so far of the diesel mailing list is to leave it.

I think I'll leave it until I have to take the transaxle off for some other
reason.

Brad

On Monday 26 November 2001 23:36, you wrote:
> I've heard of people rebuilding engines and not replacing a single stretch
> bolt (including head bolts, as well as the connecting rod cap bolts) and
> having no problems at all.  I'd consider those people quite knowledgable
> too.
>
> Funny this question was brought up.  I JUST did the exact same thing-
> rebuilt a 1.6L diesel and I reused the flywheel bolts w/ loc-tite.
>
> I'm not sure what I'm going to do...  Probably just leave it.
>
> Brad
>
> > I've had the flywheel/pp off in my Jetta twice now, and never replaced
> > the bolts. The first time I didn't use loctite, although I think I did
> > the 2nd time around. No problems so far after 450k km. Just lucky I
> > guess...
> >
> > ps: I see now that the Jetta Bentleys does say the bolts should be
> > replaced as they appear to be stretch type (torque= 1/4 turn). The diesel
> > section of the Vanagon Bentley says to replace them, but only lists a
> > single torque of 54 ft.lb., with no 1/4 turn following. Perhaps the
> > Vanagon diesel does not use stretch bolts...?
> >
> > I'd say if you used Loctite, you're probably ok, but I'm sure others have
> > more to go on than my two instances...
> >
> > Shawn Wright
> > http://zuiko.sls.bc.ca/~swright
> > '85 Jetta TD
> > '88 Westy 2.1L