Timing Belt Replacement: ALH Engine, 120k/150k Miles?

Hello, fellow TDI experts,

The dreaded timing belt replacement is coming up for me soon. Therefore, the question is under what conditions can I achieve the replacement intervals mentioned on Michael Neuhaus' website (http://www.michaelneuhaus.de/golf_frame.htm?./golf/golf4basteltip1.htm*zahn)) for my ALH, model year 1999? Currently, I have the timing belt "038 109 119 D" installed. Or are the 120 or 150,000 km just wishful thinking? If I'm informed correctly, the 150,000 km interval applies from model year 2003 for some export models in which the ALH is still used. I would be happy if that were true. Unfortunately, at the dealership, the situation is usually such that I believe I know more, or they block the information because everything is supposedly so complicated...

Best regards, Andreas.

Hi,

120,000 km + 150,000 km – those are the service intervals for the gasoline engine models (at least, according to my service plan).

Hello,
"In the meantime, I've found out that, starting with model year 2002, an interval of 120,000 km is specified (link to Continental PDF downloads), and according to AKTE, the timing belt with part number 038 109 119 M is available for model year 2003. Unfortunately, I haven't yet found any reliable information from VW."
Greetings.
Andreas.

Hi Andreas,

98er_alh wrote:

...in the meantime, I have found out that, starting from model year 2002, an interval of 120,000 km is specified (link to Continental PDF downloads), and according to the documents, there is a ZR with part number 038 109 119 M for model year 2003; unfortunately, I have not yet found any reliable information from VW.

Forget that! The maintenance interval for the timing belt is 90,000 km! I have a MJ02 model, and I have to take it in for a timing belt replacement at 90,000 km. My tenant has a 03 model with an AXR engine, and he also has to take his in for a timing belt replacement every 90,000 km.
The timing belt was changed to MJ01 (widened and reinforced) to minimize the ZR cracks that previously occurred in PD engines. For MJ02, the timing belt drive was modified again to better absorb the impact loads in the PD system. The replacement interval was not changed. The AXR engine uses a new PD system where 30% fewer ZR loads occur, and an extension of the ZR interval is not planned (it would be the ideal candidate for that).

The change interval specified by Continental is not the one prescribed by VW!


EDIT:
The ALH is not a PD engine at all! Sorry, then the ZR replacement interval is 120,000 km! Valid from model year 02.

Deleted upon request.

Hi Gustav,

diesel.gustav wrote:

For the new 2.0-liter 4-valve PD engine, the maintenance interval was also increased.

I've been told that before, and that's despite the fact that it has 8 more valves!

Starting Monday, I'll be traveling for two weeks with the Dutch apartment. I'll still try to go online whenever I can.

My 1998 AHF has a 90,000 km service interval with the NEW belt. With the first (old) belt, it was 60,000 km. The new belts are probably reinforced. I also kept the old one for 90,000 km (due to incorrect information from VW). The mechanic said, 'Well, it was definitely time to replace it' when he saw the belt during the removal.
Don't save in the wrong place!