What does your owners manual say? It should have a service schedule that
will say when it should be done.

When our 96 Jetta had about 30k mi the dealer told us that VW recommends re
packing the cv joints (and we would have to pay for the removal of the axle
shafts so they can clean and re pack the cv joints). The manual never
mentions servicing the cv joints. That was over 100k mi ago and I still keep
forgetting to schedule that appointment.

The timing does need regular service, but I would check with the manual
first and follow it. I believe our manual says 60k miles for the timing belt
in our gas Jetta.

Andrew
1984 Westy "Speed Bump"
1996 VW Jetta Trek  "Little Beep" (the wife's car)
The Basket Bus  http://www.creativegifts2go.com/vw.html

----- Original Message -----
From: "Barry Mercer" <bjmercer@SYMPATICO.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2002 7:28 PM
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
>