[chabat]

The dealer serviced the vehicle while under warranty, replaced both water pumps but did not replace timing belt.
Well, after warranty had expired, timing belt broke, teeth broke, and valves all bent of course. I really like the car. I have done head jobs on a 89 Ford Escort, a 94 Isuzu Pickup, and a 79 Porsche 924. In all three cases, I removed the cylinder heads, took them to a machine shop to get redone, and reassembled myself. All three times were successful projects. I do hate to junk this car. It is in good shape, new Alternator, new AC system, new coils... etc. If I decide to do this myself, I don't have time constraints, I have other vehicles to drive.

Would you buy a whole new motor and get a bank loan? (I saw GEX has them for 4K - says NEW motor) http://www.gex.com/vw-new-beetle-engines.htm
Should I take it apart, have the head redone?
Am I wasting money by fixing it, vs just moving on, selling it to junkyard?

I know no one can tell me what to do, but any opinions?

Chris

 

[tedybear]

Personally?

I would head to the local U Pick U Pull yard or a Pick N Pull.

Call around and find one in the area that has several Beetles of that year. Most of the idiots behind the counter when you call won't know what engine's in them, so it's a crap shoot. Best case? You find a head in good shape that only needs to be checked and cleaned by a machine shop. Or even a decent salvage yard (aka, car-part dot com) should be able to point you in the right direction. If you use the car part service? Be sure to enter your zip code, and then when the results kick up? Click on the "Distance" tab. Otherwise you're in for a severe case of sticker shock, as some of these yards are outrageous for their used and rebuilt parts.

S-

 

[2004NBTURBOS]

It will really depend on what you find after you get the head off. If you get lucky, and all you did was wipe out the head, well then its pretty straight forward.
The car being a 2002, the warranty ship has sailed long ago. The timimg belt needed to be changed due to its age, not the mileage. Its only rubber, and rubber gets brittle with age.
Me I would fix it. But I am a sucker for any TS.

 

[02SilverSport]

Welcome to the great and wonderful ORG! Many fantastic cars, people and answers lurk in this great land. If you haven't done so already, take time to fill in your profile and post a few photos so we can ORGle them!!
Hello from the warm reaches of North Carolina! I would fix the car, sounds like you've done the kind of work needed to fix the car previously.


Sent from AutoGuide.com App

 

[Smileybug]

Personally?

I would head to the local U Pick U Pull yard or a Pick N Pull.

Call around and find one in the area that has several Beetles of that year. Most of the idiots behind the counter when you call won't know what engine's in them, so it's a crap shoot. Best case? You find a head in good shape that only needs to be checked and cleaned by a machine shop. Or even a decent salvage yard (aka, car-part dot com) should be able to point you in the right direction. If you use the car part service? Be sure to enter your zip code, and then when the results kick up? Click on the "Distance" tab. Otherwise you're in for a severe case of sticker shock, as some of these yards are outrageous for their used and rebuilt parts.

S-

The problem is that its a Turbo S, which has a different engine from all other New Beetles. Its got the AWP, which is 180hp.

That said, I imagine you could grab a head off any other AWP, which is available in Golfs/GTIs and Jettas post '02. I have one in my '03 GTI for example.

Honestly, I'd get the head rebuilt. I will also say its pure incompetence to do the water pump but not the belt...since the belt has to come off to do the job. I wonder if they did put a new belt on but maybe not all components, like a tensioner. But yes, as stated, the belt should have long been changed, if only based on age alone.

Good luck.

 

[chabat]

I was frustrated with the dealer, I know they had the belt off, and there was no new belt listed in the invoice. That being said, it was ultimately my responsibility to have it changed, so I can only point the finger at myself. I have never had an interference valvetrain engine with a timing belt. I have learned the hard way! :/

Aside, thank you for the replies! I think I will take it apart, after the new year rolls over. At this point, it is worth no less to a junkyard if I remove the head or leave it on, so what is there to lose?

I suppose once it is off, I will take it to a machine shop to see if it is rebuildable, and if the pistons are damaged.

I will post some photos and updates later. But I don't expect to work on it before January or February.

 

[2004NBTURBOS]

The word junkyard should not even be mentioned. It makes me sad.
Believe it or not, your TS will bring more if you part it out. Way more then a junkyard will ever pay. Look at like this.
1. The six speed trans is worth over a grand.
2. The seats alone will fetch $500 to $600, not to mention interior pieces and what not.
3. The bumpers are worth $600 to $800.
I think you see where I'm going here. Take your time. Resource parts on the cheap, and try to do as much of the work as you can.
There will be up and downs with this project, but it will pay off. You will love the car even more, after some sweat equity.

 

[tedybear]

The problem is that its a Turbo S, which has a different engine from all other New Beetles. Its got the AWP, which is 180hp.

That said, I imagine you could grab a head off any other AWP, which is available in Golfs/GTIs and Jettas post '02. I have one in my '03 GTI for example.

Honestly, I'd get the head rebuilt. I will also say its pure incompetence to do the water pump but not the belt...since the belt has to come off to do the job. I wonder if they did put a new belt on but maybe not all components, like a tensioner. But yes, as stated, the belt should have long been changed, if only based on age alone.

Good luck.

The local yard here has no beetles in stock, but a lot of Golfs and jettas of varying ages. It's as I've said...a crap shoot. Heck, might get real lucky and find it's rebuildable and worth the time and effort! Just throwing out options.

And I fully agree! You have the water pump out with the belt--Unless the shop was either getting lazy--or trying to build future "prospects"...... Most likely lazy.

S-

 

[D2Beetle]

I do not own a Turbo S, however I purchased an NB with a broke timing belt. Perhaps my thread will help you decide what to do.

This is my first rebuild project, am I still working on it, because at some point it turned into a parts car; so by the time I am finished more than half of the motor will be new.

Here is the thread post that has the cost for an APH cylinder head rebuild.

 

[Toad]

The turbo S has the Awp motor, which gtis and jettas also got. Iirc, Awv motors are basically the same with a different ecu time. I've seen the Aph code in this thread without much talk about it being a little older and the head IS a little different.

 

[BuggingYou]

Did you check with Vw Parts Vortex? OEM VW Parts - OEM Volkswagen Parts Online | VWPartsVortex.com

They usually have the replacement stuff deeply discounted...probably your best bet for affordable replacement outside of a junkyard (but I don't think you'll find anything useable at a junkyard)

 

[Touring Dude]

I'm in the middle of re-assembling my daughter's 1.8t that got overheated back in June. (my thread - http://newbeetle.org/forums/1-8-liter-turbo/61597-overheated.html) No bent valves, but to cut the head was $300 and I've got another $1200 in parts to put it back together. Rings/ bearings/ gaskets, timing belt kit/ oil pump/ etc. Adds up real quick.......

 

[Joshua M.]

Chabat, you say you have no experience with a interference valve train? The 89 escort was, wasn't it? I know the 86's were, but my 91 wasn't. I tried replacing the timing belt on my 86 once, and after having it 180 off...I scrapped the whole car...Good Luck.

 

[chabat]

Chabat, you say you have no experience with a interference valve train? The 89 escort was, wasn't it? I know the 86's were, but my 91 wasn't. I tried replacing the timing belt on my 86 once, and after having it 180 off...I scrapped the whole car...Good Luck.

No, the Escort wasn't.

 

[chabat]

I do not own a Turbo S, however I purchased an NB with a broke timing belt. Perhaps my thread will help you decide what to do.

This is my first rebuild project, am I still working on it, because at some point it turned into a parts car; so by the time I am finished more than half of the motor will be new.

Here is the thread post that has the cost for an APH cylinder head rebuild.

Thank you for the link! I will be reading it.

 

[chabat]

Did you check with Vw Parts Vortex? OEM VW Parts - OEM Volkswagen Parts Online | VWPartsVortex.com

They usually have the replacement stuff deeply discounted...probably your best bet for affordable replacement outside of a junkyard (but I don't think you'll find anything useable at a junkyard)

The parts are expensive!! (in general)

 

[chabat]

I'm in the middle of re-assembling my daughter's 1.8t that got overheated back in June. (my thread - http://newbeetle.org/forums/1-8-liter-turbo/61597-overheated.html) No bent valves, but to cut the head was $300 and I've got another $1200 in parts to put it back together. Rings/ bearings/ gaskets, timing belt kit/ oil pump/ etc. Adds up real quick.......

Thanks for the thread link!

 

[IggysMom]

There is a Turbo S at the LKQ in Clearwater, FL right now. I just pulled the 6 speed out of. Had the whole engine out to get to the tranny. It still turned. Looked like its issue was a blown turbo. It was parked a long time before it made it to the yard. Maybe you could call them and check on getting the head? I know it's a u-pull or a they pull place that ships amongst its different yards all over US. You have 30 days to return and get your money back on u-pull. Imagine if they pull it should be the same. It's worth a try.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App