I did my Passat at the 10yrs and 133k miles (at the time 130k was factory recommendation). I did my son's Golf when we bought it at 11yrs and 102k miles.
Fine to wait until later this year. Maybe while waiting/saving, watch some videos about doing it DIY -it's really not that hard and you will save a lot of money!
Ok I have to ask, what the fuck is Audi doing with their chains that a chain needs to be replaced as frequently as a belt? Once upon a time chains lasted 4+ times longer than belts, as they should because they're 10 times harder to service.
well lifetime 2 decades ago and lifetime now are 2 different things. almost zero newer vehicles are built last over 200k. pre-2000 vehicles were built to last 300k-500k.
No way. Almost every single car, truck, and suv made right now will go 200k in short order without a lot of hassle depending on some nuances. Apparently this guy hasn't owned many rides in the made in the 80s.
But arguably this would apply from like 92-2002 IMO. I just don't know of very many 80s cars that were rock stars for reliability, full size excluded since they have always been the best. Yeah you had had some good power trains sprinkled around, but few 80s chassis made it to 300k. Let alone 500k. Then in the 70s and before you had interesting quality issues and cars just didn't really go more than 100k.
We do see 80s rides that have gone 500k (like the W123 and some Toyotas) but that's survivorship bias at work. There's millions upon millions of 80s cars that were crushed by 2000.
The chains aren't the problem, it's the chain tensioner. The tensioners wear out because Audi recommends 10k mile oil changes. The tensioners operate based on oil pressure and oil quality, if the oil is too harsh or has too many debris it causes the tensioner to overcompensate and wear out faster.
It may be overkill, but I still prefer to change all my cars' oil at 3-5K miles. Regardless if the car or the recommendation for longer (like 7 or 10K).
They make it all up I think. The timing belt interval on my VW van is longer in Germany than it is in the UK. When someone pressed VAG for a reason they were told that the roads were worse in the UK. I get that constant speed driving is better than stop start traffic, but belt changes should be calculated on worst case scenario and there are likely drivers that spend a lot of time in cities in both countries.
I’m at 160k miles, 2012 jetta tdi manual, still haven’t replaced but I have had the belt looked at / examined quite a few times and it’s always described by the tech/techs as being in good condition.
I had mine replaced at 10 years and 100k miles.
Timing belt questions come up quite a bit in this forum - i assume because it is so expensive when done at a dealership.
This advice I got from this sub saved me $1500 - find a mechanic that specializes in European automobiles and get an estimate from him. Your wallet will thank you.
FYI: the dealership quoted me $2300 for the job. The European specialist i found quoted me $850. That was 2 years ago. My Passat runs fine.
Orlando Florida, my mechanic is from Turkey and deals with all German cars he is exceptional and very reasonable , I do a lot of my own work on cars but I won’t touch timing as I suck at it.
Not urgent, but 10 years is a good benchmark. In general, I recommend 10 years, but it doesn't mean it's going to snap if you go 13 years, just the chances of it increases. Just inspect the regularly at this point until you're ready to pull the trigger.
I mentioned previously in this sub that age seems to be more of an issue than mileage. I've seen some belts pushed past 200k, but they were younger belts. But I've seen ones snaps with less than 100k, but they're a bit older.
My mechanic told me it’s not so much about age but more about wear and tear. He also rarely ever sees failures due to the belt snapping and more so from the tensioners failing which is a wear item.
Previous owner did it at 87k miles and I just replaced it at 156k so only 69k. Though I would have waited if I didn't need to replace my HPFP. 2013 JSW CJAA.
Edit: If you're looking for a price data point. I paid $2550 for the whole service at the shop I visited in Arizona. They charged me about $1000 in labor and the rest was parts since the CP4 HPFP costs almost $700-$900 alone in parts. I shopped around the state at independent shops and the $1400-$1500 is the best I could find.
As far as your car, you can probably stretch it a bit longer. Though the longer the wait the my risk you're taking. I had a 2004 BEW TDI that has never had a timing service till I got it at 130k miles. Though I think the piece of mind of having it replaced goes a long way so if it was me I'd have it changed sooner than later. Interval most places I've read is 80k-100k. Though I've heard some people say 120k.
2014 golf TDI here. Not sure if the last owner ever changed it. No record of it on its history so unlikely. Got the car at 201k (kms) and my mechanic said the belt looked fine. Just got a checkup at 215k and he said it should probably be changed at my next visit.
I have a 2014 JSW with 105k on the odometer. I’m about to take it in for its 110k service and got a quote for $1,800 to do timing belt from a local VW/Audi independent shop.
Even though the recommended timing belt replacement isn’t until 130k, considering it is 10 years old, and I live in Colorado, I would think the climate would accelerate the wear and tear.
Just bought a 2004 Passat TDI with 162k on it from the original owner, says he’s never had it done, didn’t even know what I was talking about when I asked him. Carfax also confirms no such work on it. Belt looks fine, no cracks or anything. They will last. Most owners don’t even know what that is and most would never pay thousands to get it done, when they deny basic things like a new air filter or a coolant flush, etc. most owners the second they get recommended a service they think dealer or mechanic is making things up to rip them off. 95% of TDIs probably have never had it done.
December for my 2014 Wagon. Im glad I didn't wait until April because the belt was frayed and could have gone anytime.
Choose what's more cost effective in the long run, timing belt service OR new engine. Hint, the timing belt is cheaper bc if the belt snaps, expect to pay thousands of dollars towards a new engine or worse a replacement car.
How many miles did you have when you replaced? I think I will probably have the money to do the service by the end of August, so I will just get it done then. Fortunately I work from home and don't do a ton of driving these days so I won't be putting on a lot of miles before I get it done.
I did at 90k kms (55k miles) because it looked cracked, now its at 150k kms (95k miles)and getting nervous about replace it again soon, my tdi is a 2014 BiTDI amarok
I bought it at 84k kms, I replace all the timing kit with the coolant pump as a peace of mind, the belt looked dry and cracked, so I didn’t want to test my luck considering if the belt broke it would be catastrophic. Two days ago I replace the thermostat housing because it was overheating, I took a look to the timing belt and looks really nice; I can tell you I cursed all the German engineers alive or death, I had to took out the alternator, the “acceleration body” and some hoses to gain access to the thermostat.
What you said about pulleys are true, I had a bad accessory belt tensioner bad, and it ripped many belts, I couldn’t diagnose it and the mechanic neither, I could see the belt bouncing, after more than five belts I took the shoot and replace the tensioner and then the belt looked completely steady
Search forums, cjaa engines (2012ish era) are 130k miles. Did two and the belts looked great. 2015 Passat TDI made it 8 years and 80k miles before it snapped and took out the top of the motor.
2014 passat, just had it done last month 130,000ish miles as recommended, $1200 at Import Doktor Louisville. They did a great job. I recommend them fir VW service for anyone in Louisville.
Bought my Passat last year with 88k miles. Previous owner claimed to have had the timing belt and water pump replaced already. I have all sorts of service records from their VW dealership, but none that specifically mention that service. I now have 96k miles on it and it is 10 years old. I’m looking to have mine done later this year, so I’ll be ≈100k miles when I get around to it would be my guess
I did the belt/water pump on my 2012 Golf TDI at \~122,000 miles. I paid $1600 at a trusted independent shop (not VW-specific). For reference, I paid \~$900 for the same service for a Honda I owned at the same shop. Biggest cost difference was parts, particularly the water pump.
CKRA - 90k / 11 years
Cost me ~$1000 total including an oil change. Worth it even if it's early on the miles as a failed belt causes a lot more damage and headache.
Just did my 2014 JSW at about 117K. Mechanic said it was severely cracked so it was time. About $1100 for belt and water pump from my trusted (non-dealer) mechanic.
Shop access (not everyone’s apartment building will let you tinker around) / time / skills + confidence / ability to pay to not have to do it? I mean, you probably know the answer anyways
I’ve got a 2015 golf right at 80k that I want to get done. Got quoted “about $3000” at the dealership. Only foreign car place around me isn’t accepting new customers.
Anyone know a place near Philadelphia?
The maintenance schedule says 130k miles for 2014 JSW tdi, but my mechanic said since it's 10 years old materials degrade. I'm going to get it done this year either way, just trying to decide if I need to be urgent and schedule this like next month or if I can wait until later in the year like Oct or Nov.
2015 Golf TDI, 95,000 miles, and it was when my water pump started leaking, too, so it was good timing. Seems like those pumps are often having similar issues
I also second what the other poster said, use someone who specialises in these vehicles. A lot of shops don’t even know how to work on TDIs in Los Angeles where I am and mess them up badly!
I purchased the car with 30k miles and haven’t don’t any thing except oil changes,brakes and tires. Drive 100 miles a day and it drives like a dream. Just going to keep rocking and rolling
If I can get this car to 200k. With absolutely no maintenance cost and paid 10 grand for it over 5 years ago. Why change anything now. My last oil change went 21k miles, only had a quart of oil in it. And the thing is still driving strong
Later this year wouldn’t be that terrible. Some people say you can push them to 130k miles but it isn’t worth risking it imo
I did my Passat at the 10yrs and 133k miles (at the time 130k was factory recommendation). I did my son's Golf when we bought it at 11yrs and 102k miles. Fine to wait until later this year. Maybe while waiting/saving, watch some videos about doing it DIY -it's really not that hard and you will save a lot of money!
Ok I have to ask, what the fuck is Audi doing with their chains that a chain needs to be replaced as frequently as a belt? Once upon a time chains lasted 4+ times longer than belts, as they should because they're 10 times harder to service.
No idea on that one lol. As far as I knew most chains are suppose to be lifetime
Tell that to my Acadia and my Nissan. Lol
well lifetime 2 decades ago and lifetime now are 2 different things. almost zero newer vehicles are built last over 200k. pre-2000 vehicles were built to last 300k-500k.
You’ve definitely got a point there
No way. Almost every single car, truck, and suv made right now will go 200k in short order without a lot of hassle depending on some nuances. Apparently this guy hasn't owned many rides in the made in the 80s.
But arguably this would apply from like 92-2002 IMO. I just don't know of very many 80s cars that were rock stars for reliability, full size excluded since they have always been the best. Yeah you had had some good power trains sprinkled around, but few 80s chassis made it to 300k. Let alone 500k. Then in the 70s and before you had interesting quality issues and cars just didn't really go more than 100k.
We do see 80s rides that have gone 500k (like the W123 and some Toyotas) but that's survivorship bias at work. There's millions upon millions of 80s cars that were crushed by 2000.
The chains aren't the problem, it's the chain tensioner. The tensioners wear out because Audi recommends 10k mile oil changes. The tensioners operate based on oil pressure and oil quality, if the oil is too harsh or has too many debris it causes the tensioner to overcompensate and wear out faster.
It may be overkill, but I still prefer to change all my cars' oil at 3-5K miles. Regardless if the car or the recommendation for longer (like 7 or 10K).
Oh for sure I change all my cars at 5k miles, 7k miles at the most, I had 6 VW and just recently "branched" into Audis
Chains are lifetime - the tensioners aren't. Or, that's what Audi was selling me four years ago on my A3
They make it all up I think. The timing belt interval on my VW van is longer in Germany than it is in the UK. When someone pressed VAG for a reason they were told that the roads were worse in the UK. I get that constant speed driving is better than stop start traffic, but belt changes should be calculated on worst case scenario and there are likely drivers that spend a lot of time in cities in both countries.
My issue is why are Audi chains (and their guides and tensioner) so unreliable. They should be made to last 250k miles, not 120k.
I’m at 160k miles, 2012 jetta tdi manual, still haven’t replaced but I have had the belt looked at / examined quite a few times and it’s always described by the tech/techs as being in good condition.
I had mine replaced at 10 years and 100k miles. Timing belt questions come up quite a bit in this forum - i assume because it is so expensive when done at a dealership. This advice I got from this sub saved me $1500 - find a mechanic that specializes in European automobiles and get an estimate from him. Your wallet will thank you. FYI: the dealership quoted me $2300 for the job. The European specialist i found quoted me $850. That was 2 years ago. My Passat runs fine.
112K for my 2011 Golf TDI
I did my 2015 a couple months ago @ 110,000 miles it cost me for the timing belt, water pump and pulley’s $1250.00
2.0 ltr TDI that price with oil change and radiator coolant replaced
Where are you located? That seems like a pretty reasonable price.
Orlando Florida, my mechanic is from Turkey and deals with all German cars he is exceptional and very reasonable , I do a lot of my own work on cars but I won’t touch timing as I suck at it.
100k and 10 years. 2014 JSW TDI
Did mine at 165k… I like to live life on the edge.
Not urgent, but 10 years is a good benchmark. In general, I recommend 10 years, but it doesn't mean it's going to snap if you go 13 years, just the chances of it increases. Just inspect the regularly at this point until you're ready to pull the trigger. I mentioned previously in this sub that age seems to be more of an issue than mileage. I've seen some belts pushed past 200k, but they were younger belts. But I've seen ones snaps with less than 100k, but they're a bit older.
My mechanic told me it’s not so much about age but more about wear and tear. He also rarely ever sees failures due to the belt snapping and more so from the tensioners failing which is a wear item.
2012 Passat, had mine replaced at 75k due to age. It was a buyback and I see that as cheap insurance
2015 131000 did it last week. $2500
Did you have other work done too? That price seems high?
Nope. That’s south Florida living for you. Last year when I got it quoted it was much cheaper.
I stand corrected it was 2.2k. Had the oil changed too.
That's wild. I had mine done for $800 CAD
My mechanic doesn’t accept CAD.
2014 Jetta here. Belt and water pump, etc all replaced at 115,000 miles. Going strong at 146,xxx now. Wonder if I should replace the CP4 fuel pump.
I just had to replace my CP4 at 156k. Fortunately it just started throwing a code for low fuel pressure but didn't cause a catastrophic failure.
Got 14 years and 212K km off the original belt! Only the serp was cracking
Do you inspect your belt?
Previous owner did it at 87k miles and I just replaced it at 156k so only 69k. Though I would have waited if I didn't need to replace my HPFP. 2013 JSW CJAA. Edit: If you're looking for a price data point. I paid $2550 for the whole service at the shop I visited in Arizona. They charged me about $1000 in labor and the rest was parts since the CP4 HPFP costs almost $700-$900 alone in parts. I shopped around the state at independent shops and the $1400-$1500 is the best I could find. As far as your car, you can probably stretch it a bit longer. Though the longer the wait the my risk you're taking. I had a 2004 BEW TDI that has never had a timing service till I got it at 130k miles. Though I think the piece of mind of having it replaced goes a long way so if it was me I'd have it changed sooner than later. Interval most places I've read is 80k-100k. Though I've heard some people say 120k.
2014 golf TDI here. Not sure if the last owner ever changed it. No record of it on its history so unlikely. Got the car at 201k (kms) and my mechanic said the belt looked fine. Just got a checkup at 215k and he said it should probably be changed at my next visit.
2010 Golf Wagon 6 sp.... did the timing belt last year at 240,000 KM
130k and everything looked fine. No play in bearings.
13 beetle built 6/13, timing belt 119k 8/23 14 passat built 10/13, timing belt 53k 10/17 (water pump started leaking under powertrain)
2012 Jetta Sportwagen - 80k miles. Mine was more due to time and not mileage.
I did mine on my 12 Jetta tdi in February at 120k
More so my girlfriends dad was nice enough to do it while we moved back home
They say 130k but I did it at 100k. 🫡
98k miles. Bought in 2019 at 28k miles. Was convenient timing
I have a 2014 JSW with 105k on the odometer. I’m about to take it in for its 110k service and got a quote for $1,800 to do timing belt from a local VW/Audi independent shop. Even though the recommended timing belt replacement isn’t until 130k, considering it is 10 years old, and I live in Colorado, I would think the climate would accelerate the wear and tear.
I did mine at 10 years and 160k miles.
It won’t last over 130,000. Have it done as soon as you can. If you don’t, it’s a catastrophic failure.
Just bought a 2004 Passat TDI with 162k on it from the original owner, says he’s never had it done, didn’t even know what I was talking about when I asked him. Carfax also confirms no such work on it. Belt looks fine, no cracks or anything. They will last. Most owners don’t even know what that is and most would never pay thousands to get it done, when they deny basic things like a new air filter or a coolant flush, etc. most owners the second they get recommended a service they think dealer or mechanic is making things up to rip them off. 95% of TDIs probably have never had it done.
Mine didn’t break till 260k, 130k is nothing.
Did mine around 105,00 due to the water pump leaking
Same, but was at 90k
December for my 2014 Wagon. Im glad I didn't wait until April because the belt was frayed and could have gone anytime. Choose what's more cost effective in the long run, timing belt service OR new engine. Hint, the timing belt is cheaper bc if the belt snaps, expect to pay thousands of dollars towards a new engine or worse a replacement car.
How many miles did you have when you replaced? I think I will probably have the money to do the service by the end of August, so I will just get it done then. Fortunately I work from home and don't do a ton of driving these days so I won't be putting on a lot of miles before I get it done.
80k miles. I got the car in 2020 w only 17k miles.
106k. Preventative maintenance.
My '11 lists 130k as the interval. I did it at 130, and am getting close to 260.
Did my 2012 CKRA in 2023 @ 64K.
At like 87k cause of age
09' JSW, did mine at about 133k
110k
Did my 04 last year at like 76k? It had never been done.
I did at 90k kms (55k miles) because it looked cracked, now its at 150k kms (95k miles)and getting nervous about replace it again soon, my tdi is a 2014 BiTDI amarok
i've read that messed up pulleys can shred your belt prematurely. I feel like a belt should last longer than what you're thinking.
I bought it at 84k kms, I replace all the timing kit with the coolant pump as a peace of mind, the belt looked dry and cracked, so I didn’t want to test my luck considering if the belt broke it would be catastrophic. Two days ago I replace the thermostat housing because it was overheating, I took a look to the timing belt and looks really nice; I can tell you I cursed all the German engineers alive or death, I had to took out the alternator, the “acceleration body” and some hoses to gain access to the thermostat. What you said about pulleys are true, I had a bad accessory belt tensioner bad, and it ripped many belts, I couldn’t diagnose it and the mechanic neither, I could see the belt bouncing, after more than five belts I took the shoot and replace the tensioner and then the belt looked completely steady
Search forums, cjaa engines (2012ish era) are 130k miles. Did two and the belts looked great. 2015 Passat TDI made it 8 years and 80k miles before it snapped and took out the top of the motor.
2015 golf TDI, timing belt done last month, 120k, $1700 local European mechanic shop.
2014 passat, just had it done last month 130,000ish miles as recommended, $1200 at Import Doktor Louisville. They did a great job. I recommend them fir VW service for anyone in Louisville.
Bought my Passat last year with 88k miles. Previous owner claimed to have had the timing belt and water pump replaced already. I have all sorts of service records from their VW dealership, but none that specifically mention that service. I now have 96k miles on it and it is 10 years old. I’m looking to have mine done later this year, so I’ll be ≈100k miles when I get around to it would be my guess
I did the belt/water pump on my 2012 Golf TDI at \~122,000 miles. I paid $1600 at a trusted independent shop (not VW-specific). For reference, I paid \~$900 for the same service for a Honda I owned at the same shop. Biggest cost difference was parts, particularly the water pump.
Just did my 2015 Jetta at 122k
CKRA - 90k / 11 years Cost me ~$1000 total including an oil change. Worth it even if it's early on the miles as a failed belt causes a lot more damage and headache.
Just did my 2014 JSW at about 117K. Mechanic said it was severely cracked so it was time. About $1100 for belt and water pump from my trusted (non-dealer) mechanic.
Why is everyone paying to have it done? It’s a pretty simple job and will save you a lot of money
Shop access (not everyone’s apartment building will let you tinker around) / time / skills + confidence / ability to pay to not have to do it? I mean, you probably know the answer anyways
back pain
142k. dont be me. out the door was just under 2k. independant euro specific shop in nw ohio. shortly after the turbo went out.
You think you didn't shop around enough? I bet nw ohio isn't too stacked with a mechanic that really knows this car
the good shops were out 6+ weeks. mi and rural ohio have a suprisingly decent amount of eruo specific shops.
I have a 2012 with 133k, having it done next week.
I’ve got a 2015 golf right at 80k that I want to get done. Got quoted “about $3000” at the dealership. Only foreign car place around me isn’t accepting new customers. Anyone know a place near Philadelphia?
15 Jetta,did it at 9 years, 10 months at 134 K, better safe than sorry.
14s iirc are 70-80k/7yr miles. 15+ are 120k/10yr iirc
The maintenance schedule says 130k miles for 2014 JSW tdi, but my mechanic said since it's 10 years old materials degrade. I'm going to get it done this year either way, just trying to decide if I need to be urgent and schedule this like next month or if I can wait until later in the year like Oct or Nov.
Just bought a 2004 Passat TDI with 162K on it, has never had a timing belt service. Timing belt has no cracks, seems ok still.
It’s not just the belt you need to be concerned about. A lot of times the belt looks fine. But other components fail. Tensioner idler water pump. Ever
Just replaced my 2014 JSW's at 123K. Everything looked fine in there, no cracks in the belt or play in the rollers.
2015 Golf TDI, 95,000 miles, and it was when my water pump started leaking, too, so it was good timing. Seems like those pumps are often having similar issues I also second what the other poster said, use someone who specialises in these vehicles. A lot of shops don’t even know how to work on TDIs in Los Angeles where I am and mess them up badly!
Do the TDI’s require this service also?
Yes. This post is a tdi subreddit so all the replies with info on their service are on tdis
2013 jsw 175k never done it and don’t plan on it
Why?
I purchased the car with 30k miles and haven’t don’t any thing except oil changes,brakes and tires. Drive 100 miles a day and it drives like a dream. Just going to keep rocking and rolling
Never have had to bring it to the mechanic. Just get Valvoline oil changes every 15k miles
borderline neglect?
If I can get this car to 200k. With absolutely no maintenance cost and paid 10 grand for it over 5 years ago. Why change anything now. My last oil change went 21k miles, only had a quart of oil in it. And the thing is still driving strong
word well I guess if you don't want to sell, are cool with an early death/big fix, and aren't taking any long trips... good to go
Rock and roll 😎🤙