[quote=moneymaker]I’m about to do the timing belt on my 2002 VW Jetta TDI. Instead of taking the front of the car out I just need to lift the engine. Makes me wish I had my grandpas old 1960’s F-100. Dealers want 1000-1800 to do it and since it is supposed to be done every 80,000 miles I guess I need to learn to do it myself.[/quote]
Lol… I bought my timing belt kit from amazon. Gates timing belt kit. (Don’t buy the water pump from gates). I think I spent $250 total for the kit + waterpump and another $26 for the special coolant.
I also changed out all the accessories belts and the thermostat, and some additional belt rollers for about $150 more, because once you have front off, you might as well do all those things too.
I guess I didn’t need to…
Don’t lift the engine, just take the front off. It’s easier. If you’re really good you don’t even need to take the front off. The audi/vw’s front can be pivoted forward about 4-5 inches and you can get your hand in between to work. I took everything off because if you remember, I had a fiasco with getting some of the bolts off one of the pulleys.
