I also have a '99 Passat which was purchased new. It now has 75K miles on
it, and I'm getting nervous about the belt. I also checked with the dealer
and received a price of ~$800.00-$900.00 to do the belt, tensioner and water
pump. But why?? It's covered under warranty. I too believe that VW should
help with the cost of the replacement as I would be saving THEM money in the
long run. If the cost was around $400.00, I'd have it done just to have
peace of mind and avoid any inconvenience. But at the price the dealer
wants, I'll take my chances.

One thing, the dealer did tell me. VW has started to be real pricks about
picking up the price of repair on a car that had the belt break. They said
that VW is starting to insist on proof that the regular maintenance has been
done. If you cannot prove it, they might not pay for the repair. Not sure
about this, but it's what the dealer informed me of.


"coloradored22" <jharris9 (AT) nos (DOT) pacbell.net> wrote

said 60k miles. The woman who called did not seem fully informed (shall we
say) and might have been mixed up with the TDI engine - which does have a
60k mile limit. If it is covered by the 100k mile drive train warrenty you
would think VW would offer a deal on replacement. The dealer said ~$850, a
local garage ~$450

I would disagree. They are all wear items. Besides VW says the replacement
interval is 105,000
on 1999s. I can't think of a single marque that would replace a timing belt
at 75k under warranty.
It's a rubber belt that needs replacement every once in a while.

As for belts that break. That's why I paid for a dealer inspection at 60k.
They charged me $40.
Said the tensioner was worn and advised me to not do anything since I have a
10/100,000
powertrain warranty. I've always kept reciepts on all my other
do-it-yourself items like oil
changes, filters, and plugs.

"quattroA4cars" <gstrouse (AT) rcn (DOT) com> wrote

Had to throw in my 2cents.................or uh, $2000.00 dollars worth! It was 74000 miles for mine, and the car is in the shop as I type, actualy I just did a quick google search for 99 passat timing belt, and presto here I was. If you have a 99 Passat my advice is to take off the radiator cap, and slide a whole new car in underneath it! I've had my 99 for 8 months, and has been in the shop numerous times. 2 times for the ignition coils and a few other small things like window switches, leaky sunroof,etc. and now................1 broken timing belt that I planned on changing at the recommended 90k. In VWs defense, my warranty did cover the little stuff, and the ignition coils once( I just had to do them again a few hundred miles ago), but now I'm out of the certified pre-owned warranty, and staring down the barrel of at least a $2000.00 bill.
Now my question. Is there anything else I should know about, or do I just slide a new car under my old radiator cap? I had a couple of old diesel benzs' in my past, and am starting not to care that my wife does'nt like the smoke, a nice 87 300sdl at the shop that my car is siiting in..............low miles....................only 150k or so........but thats another topic. Thanks for letting me vent here. Dave.