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do I need to change the vibration damper when replacing timing belt 1.9 tdi awx


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Hello I have my 2003 skoda superb 1.9tdi awx booked in at my local bolton VW main dealer on friday for a cambelt and water pump change .

It last had one done at 60000 I had this confirmed by the skoda dealer where it has full service history from . (Ive only just bought the car)

, that was in 2009 , so its been more than 4 years even tho thr belt looks nice and chunky and newish im thinking best to get it done anyway .

Its costing 350 at VW , other local decent garages wanted 350 with the vibration damper replaced but vw is the cambelt kit and water pump but not the vibration damper , so how important is the vibration damper or more to the point do I need to change it?

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By vibration damper I assume you mean the spring loaded belt tensioner.

 

If so, then yes. More engines have been trashed by the tensioner pulley failing than the belt itself snapping.

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There are two versions of the 1.9PD timing belt tensioner. The earlier, used up to about 2004 had a separate hydraulically damped spring tensioner unit, which pushed on a lever to move the eccentric tensioner wheel. Later engines simply have the eccentric tensioner wheel which has an inbuilt torsion spring and a friction damper.

 

The earlier hydraulic tensioner unit (damper as it's sometimes called, but that's only half its function) becomes weak with age, giving rise to a dangerously slack belt. I would strongly recommend replacing it, despite the extra cost. Setting it is a fiddle - you need a 4mm spacer to set the gap with the tensioner plunger fully locked in, before the plunger is released. It's very important to get this right - as the engine heats up, the belt tightens as the centres move out, and the 4mm allowance is put there to accommodate this. 

 

Make sure the job is done correctly with all the locking tools and that the belt is tensioned without locked-in torque (camshaft wheel bolts slackened). Any bodging will result in grief.

 

The water pump is stupidly on the tight side of the belt on this engine - replacement at every belt change is strongly recommended.

 

rotodiesel.

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Surely at vw they will have the correct tools for setting the gaps , will they be able to tell if it is getting weak?

Or should I just put it into a the other garage where they said they would do it in the price ?

Although I took my 1.6 vw bora to a modern looking nice big garage for a cambelt change 2 years ago and they ballsed it up

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