What's involved in changing out the Valve stem seals?

What's involved in changing out the Valve stem seals?

Timing Belt broken at 30,000 on my 2002 Jetta

Last week the timing belt broke on my 2002 Jetta TDI. The car had 161,000 on it and I thought it was going strong. I thought it would be the last car I owned. I had had other diesel Rabbits, Golfs and Jettas. I take very good care of my cars. I had changed the oil at all the recommended times, etc. My last Jettas went over 250,000 but rusted out. They were a 1985 and 1986.

I was going up a slight hill in 3rd gear and all of a sudden the engine locked up. Fortunately I was near a home. I called our mechanic to see what he thought. He asked me to try to start the car again as he believed he knew what it was. The lower engine was trying to start but to no avail.

I had the car towed to the garage. The engine head was disassembled and it looked like there was damage done to the valve stems as they were bent.

My question is , does anyone think that it is good to try to order a new full cylinder head or a full engine? I found one online that matched the ALH engine code. They are asking $3250 for it.

I have been advised by several people not to waste the money in fixing it up. My problem is is that this car is in very good condition otherwise. It never lost a drop of oil between oil changes which a 1998 TDI Jetta I had did do that.

This car has the heated seats, sunroof and a CD player cassette. Tires that are in very good shape, plus snow tires not on rims in very good shape. The car handled so well and it didn't have any rust except for a little starting on the edge of the front hood, which could be easily fixed.So you can see why I'm torn between these two options.

I have test driven a couple of TDI's in our area. One is a 2013 with only 25,000 mi. on it. They want $17,000. Another one is a 2009 TDI that has 51,000 mi on it and they want $14,500. So it boils down to the question if anybody would fix up a 2002 if they had one???

Thanks for your help.

Dealer is replacing the Valve Stem Seals under the lawsuit warranty

aloyouis

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Dealer is replacing the Valve Stem Seals under the lawsuit warranty

Hi all,

I called my dealer to set up a recall fix and an oil change and they informed me that the X5 was due to be inspected for the Valve Seal inspection and timing belt chain inspection.

The results of the testing are that the timing chain is tight and does not need to be replaced but they approved replacing the Valve Stem Seals. This will be done at no charge. In addition, they are covering 3 oil changes and replacing the battery at no charge.

I warned him (kinda jokingly) that this thing better come back to me with nothing else "found" that will be chargeable and he already hit me with an expansion tank crack for coolant. I knew there was a small leak some where and they are replacing it for the cost of the part (Their cost: $195) only since they have it apart already.

To summarize:

Valve stem seals
battery
oil change
new coolant expansion tank

$195 + tax

MY QUESTIONS

1. I am no mechanic (not even close). I do basic maintenance items only with brakes being about as complicated as I will undertake. That said, I really don't know how complex of a job the VSS replacement is. What would need to be replaced in addition to the seals just to get the VSS job done? In other words and given how these things leak all kinds of different colors (LOL) what else am I "getting"? Do the heads come off, new head gaskets?

Anything else?

2. I assume that many, many components will need to be removed/disassembled in order to do the VSS job (He stated they "drop the engine" on to a cart). These items that are disconnected to drop the engine are 88K miles and 8 years old. Something (a hose, a wire, a clamp etc.) WILL BREAK during this VSS job. Who pays for these things? What if something doesn't work right after they are done such as the cooling fan? Again, who pays to diagnose and fix after the fact?

3. This question is a scary one because I have only had this thing since October so my "repair fund" only only up to $375 ($125 a month saved so far). Is there anything else I should have them do while they have it opened up to take advantage of the labor savings? I can probably spend $800 on items in this category if it makes sense and will avoid future expense.



That is a ****-ton of stuff to throw at you folks here, but I respect your learned opinions and would really appreciate any information and/or advice. The car is there now and they start on it tomorrow. He thinks it will be good top go on late Friday or early Monday.

Thank you all for any help.

Jim

PS - I posted this same thing on Bimmerfest was well and received some helpful comments. I a hoping you folks can add some!