I've been doing my reading and I know the procedure and special tools needed for changing a timing belt (and I'll have my Robert Bentley repair manual soon). <--- :shock: :shock: somebody did some reading before asking questions? :shock: :shock: :lol:
My question is this:
From the experience of people who've changed a few timing belts in their day, what's the best brand to use and where's the best place (not just cheap but cust. serv. / reliability) to buy it?
Same question for the water pump. I know to make sure and NOT get a plastic impeller, but who do YOU buy from and what's the brand?
** I am NOT looking for, "this is the cheapest one out there but who's knows who made it" sort of crap, for a timing belt and water pump, I want quality. That's why i'm asking for experienced and/or professional opinions.
Thanks!
For the timing belt, I think most people here use:
Continental
and some people use:
Gates
Gate is actually the preferred choice for the newer TDIs, but I'm pretty sure Continental is the most common for the older cars. They go by several names: Conti, Contitech, CRP, etc. I think autohausaz.com carries that belt.
For water pumps, there are several brands that all work fine. Some people won't put anything but a cast iron impeller on thier cars (like the factory pump). For that style, you'd need to buy:
Meyle
Meyle is the OEM aftermarket supplier. Some parts are still made in Germany, but some are made in Turkey, India, China, etc. With them, there's no guarantee.
Sometimes GRAF (italitan company) will have the cast impeller on it, but sometimes it won't. At least their parts are usually good quality (not the smoothest casting work, but quality bearings). I usually go with them, or....
GMB
GMB is a Japaneese manufacturer (yeah, I know). Their impellers are always stamped steel, but the quality is good nonetheless.
My dad is actually a Foreign car parts retailer, and GMB and Graf are what he sells more than anything. Most of that has to do with the fact that they are slightly cheaper, but at least you can be assured of the country of manufacture. With Meyle, you're only really guaranteed that the part will have a cast impeller (and who knows these days). I've bought many Meyle parts, and some of the same parts were made in vastly different countries, even when I bought the parts a few months apart.
I can help you out.. see my sig. give me a call or send me an email and I'll get you squared away. I carry the brands you want.
Maybe I am the only one, but make sure to heat the living piss out of the water pump bolts and housing as much as possible before even attempting removing that thing. The first couple water pumps I did * I didn't have a bentley* I didn't do that and had to take it all apart and heat and beat in a vice to get all of the bolts that broke off out. I cote them generously with nickel antiseeze before going back in....but this is just me talking. You were asking for parts and I can't help you there anymore than these guys have.
YES!!! Water pump bolts on these engines can be evil. Be very careful withe them as they snap if you breathe on them funny.
This new misnomer about plastic impeller water pumps is derived from the recent rash of failing water pumps on MKIV cars. They came from the factory with plastic impellers and the impellers break off all the time. This is NOT the case with the older style pumps. I have not seen a single water pump failure on the older style engine in the 14 years I have been repairing VWs professionally.
TL;DR
Dont worry if you get a plastic impeller pump. It will be fine.
Don't worry if you get a plastic impeller pump. It will be fine.
I respectfully disagree with that statement. And FYI if you order a Graf it will be german made and have a metal impeller.
I've seen these things fail right and left in all 4 cyl mk4's, Passat 1.8t's and V6's, A4's A6's and so on. I must have changed at least 50 that were cracked already or crumbled in my hands once I got them out.
Given the choice for close to the same price, it's kind of crazy not to go metal. Just my opinion tho
Don't worry if you get a plastic impeller pump. It will be fine.
I respectfully disagree with that statement. And FYI if you order a Graf it will be german made and have a metal impeller.
I've seen these things fail right and left in all 4 cyl mk4's, Passat 1.8t's and V6's, A4's A6's and so on. I must have changed at least 50 that were cracked already or crumbled in my hands once I got them out.
Given the choice for close to the same price, it's kind of crazy not to go metal. Just my opinion tho
If you could kindly please reread my post, you will see that I have addressed the MKIV problem. In no way do I suggest in any fashion that a plastic impeller should be used on the newer block design (read: MKIV).
I was referring to the OPs signature/username and assuming he had an early block design.
Sorry, I thought you were talking about not worrying on the mk5 actually.. I have no idea where I got that.. :oops:
My question is this:
From the experience of people who've changed a few timing belts in their day, what's the best brand to use and where's the best place (not just cheap but cust. serv. / reliability) to buy it?
Just changed my timing belt last night. Continental is THE timing belt to use. Compared to my old off-brand timing belt, the continental was so easy to slip over the gears (has the right dimensions) and the belt itself is of high quality.
YES!!! Water pump bolts on these engines can be evil. Be very careful withe them as they snap if you breathe on them funny.
Just a word about these bolts:
I recently changed a pump and even working carefully and heating the casting around the bolts, I still broke 3 of them :x
To remove the stubs I set 5/16" hex nuts over them and then welded inside the nut to the stub with a MIG welder. Thermal shock of the welding, and the nice big hex nut made them easy to remove.
moT
Thanks for all the replies everyone, water pump bolts - hadn't seen anything on that before.
How about the belt tensioner? Should this be replaced with belt every time, or just if there is a problem with it? What brand also?