When to replace timing belt?

[nobbyfox]

Evening.
I have a query regarding my 1.6td JX engine.
Having owned Dotty for 2 years now, I have seen on previous paperwork that the timing belt and roller was replaced in August 2009.
It has only covered 23,000km since then but would the age of the timing belt cause problems?
The engine runs great if that helps. Just leave it alone?

Thanks

[mark]

50000 miles or 5 years which ever comes the sooner, id be saving up now

mark

[nobbyfox]

Thanks Mark.
I recon myself and my brother could do the job though. Bro a competent mechanic

Will start the fund now!!

[kit]

Every 3 years I was told.

[California Dreamin]

Well you have another 14 months
5 years / 60,000 miles
Nice new Contitech belt is less than £20 and as it's done so little mileage on the old belt I wouldn't bother with changing the idler (check it of course) but your only changing the belt because of age hardening and some degree of age deterioration.

Martin

[nobbyfox]

Thanks Martin,
Is that belt bought via BW?

Regards
Steve

[California Dreamin]

The same quality Contitech belt can be purchased from several sources, these guys offer FREE POST so works out a little cheaper..the choice is yours.

http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/c/V ... 466&000336" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Martin

[nobbyfox]

Thanks for the reply. £13 does seem a very cheap price for an important part of the engine though. Suppose just an elaborate rubber band at the end of the day!

[California Dreamin]

BW is less expensive but on such a cheap item it's the postage that makes the difference. Contitech is an OEM supplier so even a VW stamped belt is likely Contitech with additional VW part numbers.
The timing belt setup on the JX is about as simple as it gets....you want to see how complicated some engines are nowadays, with multiple timing belts and several tensioners and idlers.
Changing JUST the belt is a simple enough task....just swapping the belts without moving anything lol.

Martin

[nobbyfox]

Changing JUST the belt is a simple enough task....just swapping the belts without moving anything lol.

Martin[/quote]

Is there a hole somewhere to lock the timing in place?

[California Dreamin]

Yeah..you're supposed to lock everything off....however and although my statement was a little tongue in cheek, if you marked everything with tipex (camshaft/pump/crankshaft pulley's) slipped the old belt off, the new belt on and everything was in exactly the same place! the job is done, simpulz.....it's just if anything had moved and you got it I tooth out (just make sure all the slack goes to the tensioner side)

Martin

[nobbyfox]

Thanks Martin.
Good idea

[nevill3]

Some people make their own locking tools or brickwerks sell them ....http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/v ... tools.html

[nobbyfox]

Thanks Nevill,
Probably safer - but not cheaper - than tippex

[California Dreamin]

Thanks Nevill,
Probably safer - but not cheaper - than tippex

Safer is 'relative' the tools just hold everything steady, they don't do the job. It is possible to SAFELY fit a belt without the tools if you follow some simple rules. Take ALL the slack on the idler side, once the belt is fitted and tensioned carefully check that nothing has moved, rotate the engine by hand (on the crankshaft pulley) and make sure 1) nothing catches 2) that all your Tipex marks line up as you made them.

Martin