2000 Beetle 1.8 Turbo. Have 153,000 miles and

usually belt needs to be replaced look and check [with engine off] ur belt for fray cracks or any damage to belt and replace

first thing on a turbo, do an oil change using full synthetic oil. If you can, plan on replacing plugs and plug wires, replace antifreeze, and check brake linings. VW Beetles are tough to work on (little room), and it would also be a good idea to check hoses and belts, cleaning the engine.

low mileage but old ?' difficult decision but not insurmountable ,take the cover off the timing belt and have a look ,if cracking apparant at the base of the teeth then change it if no cracking then leave well alone unless you live in a desert type dry climate ,if so then change it regardless as the plasticiser in the belt dries out

vw say change belt at 100k,i say to all my customers how much is a new engine ???so 60k is best,its the tensioner that goes first by the way.

You are due - don't push your luck. A broken belt could spell disaster

i think the recommended replacement interval is 65-75k for turbo engines. so might just be due for another timing belt job!

I'm shooting in the dark but that's what it sounds like----I think with all the pollution factory issues this should be covered by the MFG. Another is blown head gasket but that would show coolant in oil or vise versa. GL

You should have the timing belt changed between 90-100K miles. When you are having the belt changed you should also change the water pump rollers. The total cast would be $950.00

General rule on most cars with a timing belt is change somewhere between 80K and 120K. On some cars, failure of timing belt will destory the engine.

If car is only worth $2500, and labor (parts are cheap on this usually) is $1000, if you can't do it yourself, need to decide if you risk it.

Are you willing to throw away the car when the timing belt breaks? Or spend the $1000, and have some other failure that renders the car useless 5000 miles later?

This is really a financial decision you have to make. If engine blows, you may be able to get $500 for it from junkyard, and you still have your $1000 saved from not changing the timing belt.

That's a rule of thumb every 60K mi you need to replace the belt even though it looks fine.