I have an AUDI A3 TDi -99 (the same engine I would imagine), the thing with
these is that it is a real job to change the timing belt if you look at it
the parts aren't especially expensive but the labour is! Also I seem to
remember that the change interval is extended after this one... And Yes you
do want to change it since it not only drives the camshaft but also the
water pump and that adds more load to the belt and the engine will not be a
happy camper if the belt snaps. If the belt should snap you have some very
expensive repairs to do!
Well mine still runs but then I have changed timing belt no less than three
times already! I'm in the 270K Km range by now and it still runs
beautifully!

/Markus Samuelson
Kolback Sweden

-98 Audi A3 TDi
-92 Vanagon Syncro Panel van
-88 Vanagon Syncro DoubleCab
-88 Vanagon DoubleCab
-87 Vanagon Syncro Panel Van

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Barry Mercer
Sent: den 7 mars 2002 01:28
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: TDI no vanagon content.

My 99 A4 TDI Jetta has about 53k Kilometres on the Od.    My dealer says
it needs to have the timing belt serviced and has warned that this will
cost in the $500 CDN dollar range.   Ugh.

Why so much and what does the timing belt do for the diesel that makes
it so expensive... other than the fact its a VW of course!!

And it this absolutely necessary ?

Just thought I'd ask.

Barry Mercer
Sudbury, ontario

Loads of snow.

Moo 88 westy... hibernating!
99 TDI Jetta   53k Km