Hi there,

So I bought a 98 tdi estate in Postman Pat Red, I bought it in a rush and I got the first one I saw as I had no transport to view loads of cars while shopping.

the AA looked at it over the weekend, he says I need to change the cam/timing belt asap as it looks to be in a poor state - service history shows no change of belt ever being done and the current mileage is 132k

I cant afford dealer servicing, I have purchased the cam belt kit and what I really need now is some instructions on how to fit it please, there are some great videos online but all for other VAG model cars that seem to have slightly different engines - my car has the airbox on the left and I cant see another video online for a tdi that is the same.

Anyone got any instructions please??

So far I am loving the fuel economy but not loving the fact that the Car also now wont open from the outside (drivers door only opens from the inside now) snapped cable?? I bought the cable today, went to shops today quite embarrassing using a piece of string to get into the car - this needs sorting urgently !

Also hit a pheasant yesterday and smashed the front bumper and put petrol in it instead of diesel by mistake yesterday - cost me 250 quid to get AA to drain it so no cash for cambelt change hence the DIY situation.

As you can tell in not the sharpest tool in the box but I reckon I can follow instructions or a video on how to change the timing belt, please help me out.

Thanks

Try some of the other forums out there; there are guides around. However, given your tale of woe, and your own admissions re: tool->box<sharpest, should you be changing the cambelt? Plenty of backstreet garages will do it for a hundred quid cash or mobile guys if you already have the parts.

You do seem to be having bad luck however if you have never replaced a cambelt before then now is not the time to do it,if you get it wrong your engine will get damaged & you will be in a worse position than you are now,id look for a local garage to replace the belt,tensioners & water pump.

If you are asking for instructions you shouldnt be tackling this job.

thanks, its going to be 250 quid to have it done around here (south london), I just dont have the funds right now and at 132k I am driving a time bomb - need to get it sorted asap, cant be that hard, just needs some guides.

This might help

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/1000q/a4/ALH-engine-timing-belt-change-VW-Jetta-TDI-1.htm

although as others have said this probably a very bad engine to learn how to do it on and TBH it'll probably be cheaper getting it done professionally given the special tools needed

thanks

This might help

http://www.myturbodi...Jetta-TDI-1.htm

although as others have said this probably a very bad engine to learn how to do it on and TBH it'll probably be cheaper getting it done professionally given the special tools needed