1.8 20v turbo head sourcing/fixing

[David.Ullrich at ferguson.com]

On the Passat, it is to be changed every 105,000 miles according to the latest info from VWoA (the manual on my 1998 says otherwise, but it was revised by VWoA). The belt is to be "checked" at 40,000 mile intervals. But most people are changing every 80,000 to be safe since there have been LOTS of reports of failure before 105,000.  remember that if it is the original owner, and the car is a pre 2001.5, then it has a 100,000 mile power train warranty which covers failure of the timing belt as long as it was checked at 40,000 & 80,000. I have no info on the A4, but would assume the interval should be the same.

Dave

1987.5 Audi Coupe GT "Special Build" 2.3 - Anthracite Black
1998 VW Passat GLS 1.8T - For Sale CHEAP


-----Original Message-----
From: RM [mailto:waves at epix.net]
Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2002 12:43 PM
To: Quattro List
Subject: 1.8 20v turbo head sourcing/fixing


We are just beginning to see these 20 valve 1.8 turbos come into our show
with broken timing belts. We actually had two come in today alone (one
passat and one A4). The shop manual i have does not specify an interval in
which they need to be changed. More importantly, what's the course of action
when these heads are pulled, as far as repair or replacing? The Passat head
bent just about all of the valves and it's a stick shift car. The A4 was
coming to a stop whenthe belt flew. However it is an auto trans car, and
with an AT, it's my experience that as long as the rpms' were not too high,
there is a slight possibility that the valves could be OK. Then again, with
as small as the valve looks, I'll bet you can't get away with that
assumption any longer. Any info would be helpful, as far as sourcing rebuilt
heads. Please CC waves at epix.net with your reply, thanks!

Rolf Mair
Mair's Continental Motors