Timing belt - Jetta 3

[dal2000]

Ok so I know this may be a stupid question to some, but i'm just curious and can't seem to find a proper answer (even after phoning VW, mechanics were not in so I couldn't ask them; had to speak to some other consultant). Ive been told by a friend who claimed he called head of Audie and they said nothing would happen. Phoning VW; they said otherwise.

So I have a Jetta 3 1995 1.6 carb. If the belt breaks, will it damage the rods etc?

Thanks

 

[blaaislaai]

I had the same car,

It wont break immediately, but if you continue driving it will. Your dashlights will go nuts, and you should rather stop when this happens. This can cause serious damage to internal parts of your engine, from which the conrods can be one of them

 

[dal2000]

I had the same car,

It wont break immediately, but if you continue driving it will. Your dashlights will go nuts, and you should rather stop when this happens. This can cause serious damage to internal parts of your engine, from which the conrods can be one of them

What does it mean when your dashlights go nuts? I thought it's just *break and bam* engine finished.

 

[blaaislaai]

Theres a few lights that will go on,

I dont drive a jetta 3 anymore, so I can't really tell you which lights will go on.

EDIT: Not sure about your car, but my 1.8i had a system, incase the belt would break.. the valves would fall down minimizing damage to internals.

How much Km's do you have on the car? the timing belt should be replaced at 120k, i only did mine at 135k as recommended by a mechanic

 

[Stokstert]

EDIT: Not sure about your car, but my 1.8i had a system, incase the belt would break.. the valves would fall down minimizing damage to internals.

Hahaha, what a good joke, a system that lets your valves fall down. If your valves fall down your engine's pistons will crunch them to pieces and a lot of other components.

The VW 8 valve engines for Golf/Jetta will not self-destruct, they will just stop running if the belt strips some teeth (it seldom breaks completely) and all you do is to replace the stripped belt, if you know how. Bob's your uncle.

 

[Stokstert]

What does it mean when your dashlights go nuts? I thought it's just *break and bam* engine finished.

All the lights which normally come on when you turn on your ignition but do not start the engine will come on. After the cam-belt strip, your engine will not be running any more, but the ignition will still be on.