another question about Timing belt

[Frugo]

Hi,

I bought my 1998 Passat GLS few weeks ago, it has 95,000 miles on it and I'm the third owner.

The car was sold to the previous owner at 68,000 miles at a WV Dealership, with the inspection

now that previous owner doesn't know if the timing belt was done or not, so since the car had 68,000 miles what are the chances that the timing belt was done ?

and what kind of costs do I ran into for changing the timing belt ?

I want to get a full checkup and maintenance but I have no money and time right now so I'll have to wait a week or two before I do it

and I also don't want the thing to snap cuz I don't feel like paying $4000

Thanks

[Highlanderfr]

I have a 2000 GLX. Total costs for mine was around $700. I ignored it and it broke at 106K miles, it cost me $10K for a new engine.

So I would say spend the $700 if you are not sure. Make sure they change the water pump as well. If it is the same as the 2000 the water pump runs off the timing belt.

[mmplus]

My 1998 Passat's timing belt went at 70,000 miles. The factory manual suggests replacement at 105,000 miles. My belt itself looked OK, but one of the teeth sheared off and took the whole head with it, to the tune of $2500.

VW basically said "Tough luck...."

[pvincent0909]

I have read this thread and it does not give me a good feeling, are we talking about the 1.8 or the 2.8? My question is, does the 1998 2.8 v-6 have the intrusive valves so if the timing belt breaks the engine is ruined? Thanks Paul

[boschmann]

The 2.8 uses timing chains, so nothing to worry about, yet.

[bleedvw]

The 2.8l In A 98 Passat Is A Rubber Timing Belt. This Is A V6 Engine Boschman Not A Vr6 The Vr6 Engine Is Drivin By A Chain The V6 Is A Rubber Belt That Should Be Replace At 60k And Is Very Easy To Do If You Have The Tool To Hold The Cams In Place.

[boschmann]

Oops, I've had a mental block lately. For some reason I keep going back to thinking of '99 as the start of the V6.