It's very important to service your ALH VW Golf TDI timing belt. The timing belt, tensioner, and idler components eventually reach the end of their recommended service life. The ALH engine code TDI is an interference engine (a.k.a. non-clearance engine). If the VW timing belt fails, the timing belt system that links the cylinder head, camshaft, and crankshaft no longer run in sync. Close tolerance engine designs allow for the cylinder head valves to hit the top side of the pistons. VW timing belt failure on these engines will results in catastrophic engine damage (i.e. bent valves and in some cases cracked pistons).
This page discusses many different VW Golf timing belt replacement topics, such as:
- What is the recommended timing belt change interval for A4 platform VW Golf 1.9 Liter TDI ALH models?
- What affects the intended life-expectancy of timing belt parts?
VW Golf Timing Belt Service Change Interval
What is the recommended timing belt change interval for A4 platform VW Golf 1.9 TDI ALH models? The most recent recommend interval is 100,000 miles.
Please Note: When originally released, the recommended timing belt interval for ALH TDI VW Golf was 40,000 miles for automatic transmissions and 60,000 miles for manual transmissions. However, in 2003 VAG raised the timing belt interval to 100,000 miles. This was done because of improvements made to the timing belt idler bearing (an increased ID from 47mm to a 60mm), and a stronger timing belt (carbon aramid material). Stressing the importance of choosing high quality VW timing belt parts.
Using our years of service repair knowledge, what do we recommend? The older 40,000 mile and 60,000 mile ALH timing belt system components should be updated to the current 100,000 mile interval by using our BASE VW timing belt Replacement Kits, which contains the necessary timing belt and tensioners for the 100,000 mile change interval. When dealing with crucial timing belt service, err on the side of caution and change your VW TDI timing belt every 90,000 - 100,000 miles. It is our recommendation to closely inspect all timing belt components before the recommended interval. Play it safe, changing your timing belt may seem expensive. However, choosing to exceed your timing belt service interval is risky and can lead to unknown repair costs that will far exceed typical timing belt replacement service cost.
Intended Life-Expectancy of VW Golf Timing Belt Components
In our own service facility, we've seen a few original timing belts last over 90,000 miles and others ready to break before 75,000 miles. In addition to mileage there are other factors that age the timing belt and related components. The following are some reasons why you see the difference in how long a VW timing belt and related components last: (1) un-logged engine idle times and sitting in traffic; (2) warm-up time in cold weather; (3) environmental climate factors; (4) related engine maintenance that may have been overlooked.
Keys to the long-life of your new timing belt components after timing belt replacement. Make your new parts last! You can expect your BLAU INA OEM components to last the specified 90,000 mile - 100,000 mile interval if the following important steps were taken:
1) Timing belt service was performed using the same timing belt and timing belt tensioner that are supplied to VAG, which are engineered to meet the change interval requirements.
2) Timing belt service was performed by an experienced competent ASE certified VW mechanic who is familiar with your specific engine 1.9 TDI ALH engine.
3) Factory service procedures must be strictly followed. Even if installing the best VW Golf timing belt parts, using improper procedures can shorten their life span. Incorrect installation or missteps during timing belt service are often done without intent and aren't noticed until further down the road. Fortunately, some common mishaps are noticed after re-assembly and during the final engine rotational timing sequences.
