Author Topic: Cheap Timing Belt/Tensioner Horror Stories? (Read 2423 times)

Brian Rages · « **on:** December 06, 2007, 09:16:30 am »

Hi,

I'm just getting started on a project to replace the timing belt and reseal the injection pump on my 1986 n/a Jetta.

I bought the big timing belt change kit from http://www.dieselvw.com/ - this guy has been mentioned a few times here.

I got the kit with the timing belt, tensioner, dial indicator, and locking tools. Pretty sweet deal, then I see this:
http://vwdieselparts.com/cheep.htm

on "Jack's" site: We have reports of the tensioner's coming apart in 15,000 miles and somesooner. Belts breaking at way under 40,000 miles.

What to do? Use the cheap parts, but check the TB every 3k or so? Or consider it a lesson learned, and get the OEM stuff?

jtanguay · « **Reply #1 on:** December 06, 2007, 09:22:23 am »

i would only buy the tools from that guy's site. the prices are too good to be true... you can take your chances but i wouldn't... not with something as critical as that.

bert · « **Reply #2 on:** December 06, 2007, 10:44:35 am »

only gates,dayco,continental for me and tensioner wise theres only 2 littens or INA :wink:
Bert

Smkin85Turbo · « **Reply #3 on:** December 06, 2007, 02:37:25 pm »

Are the tools from http://www.dieselvw.com/ the best place to get the tools required to change out the timing belt? I am going to replace my timing belt soon and was also wondering where the best place to buy a belt would be? Do you replace the tensioner at the same time? What are all the parts that I need? Any good place to buy a water pump?

BleachedBora · « **Reply #4 on:** December 06, 2007, 02:47:47 pm »

I had a shipment of water pumps come in a while back from a new vendor--turns out they were Chinese. I ended up sending most of them back once I figured it out. Point is that when dealing with timing belt parts most of the TDI vendors stick to OEM or OEM+ from known sources only. I have a guy who is looking at a new engine now due to his TB snapping after 20,000 miles, supposedly it was a 100,000 mile belt, but when he says he paid $150 for the entire kit on Ebay one wonders where the source of the parts was... :?
Good luck!
-BB

jtanguay · « **Reply #5 on:** December 06, 2007, 09:23:29 pm »

Quote from: "Smkin85Turbo"

Are the tools from http://www.dieselvw.com/ the best place to get the tools required to change out the timing belt? I am going to replace my timing belt soon and was also wondering where the best place to buy a belt would be? Do you replace the tensioner at the same time? What are all the parts that I need? Any good place to buy a water pump?

probably not the best, but the price is right. things like cam locking tool and injection pump locking tool are pretty much indestructible and i think it would be impossible to really 'screw' them up. however the dial indicator could be damaged if dropped etc. it is pretty sensitive.

myself, i can't see why the timing tools themselves would be bad. just take care of them and you should be fine.

Brian Rages · « **Reply #6 on:** December 07, 2007, 06:38:36 am »

The tools in the kit don't look SUPER, but they are ok.

The cam locking tool is just a flat plate of steel. Mine is a really tight fit in the cam - no feeler gauge needed. (you can use a door hinge -- rhymes with "orange" -- instead, though)

The injection pump locking tool is just a short steel rod with a knurl on it. Nice tight fit (you can use an 11mm socket instead, though)

The dial indicator is a pretty nice setup, it's about equal to the homemade setups I've seen people post on these forums.

I might sell my tools when I finish the job...