how hard is this to replace in a 99 gti? a friend was told hers needs replacing and the cost would be @$2500. is this reasonable for that car? relative to a e30 timing belt replacement how hard is this to do? is there a good write up anywhere on the interwebs for this?
Isn't it a chain?
I think the main problem they have is the tensioners, it's been awhile since i've done anything with VWs.
i really dont know anything about them so it may be a chain not a belt, but she was told it was a belt so that is why i asked that way. also, is the vr6 a 4 or 6 cylinder motor. i looked on vwforums for instructions and they all seem to be suggesting it is a 4 cylinder 1.8L motor.
You have to pull the trans to do the chains, thats why its so expensive and alot of people neglect them. I can only assume they put the timing chain on the rear of the engine because of clearance issues of squeezing it transversely into a compact car.
A VR6 is a v6 engine and it has timing chains. The chains are at the back of the engine so the engine or the trans needs to be pulled to do the job... Best bet would be to get a Bentley service manual for the car to see what is involved...
Let's back up...what are the symptoms that she is having?
Anti-stance wrote: You have to pull the trans to do the chains, thats why its so expensive and alot of people neglect them. I can only assume they put the timing chain on the rear of the engine because of clearance issues of squeezing it transversely into a compact car.
cool. thanks for the info. upon further clarification, apparently the chain is ok, but it jumped timing because the tensioner is failing. and it sounds too complicated for a backyard repair for me or her.
anyone interested in a 99 vr6 gti that still runs but needs the timing chain bits repaired?
Anti-stance wrote: You have to pull the trans to do the chains, thats why its so expensive and alot of people neglect them. I can only assume they put the timing chain on the rear of the engine because of clearance issues of squeezing it transversely into a compact car.
NVH. All the chain noise gets mostly lost in the bellhousing, instead of having to have a big bulky front cover or a noisy engine.
In reply to Knurled:
I believe that more than my half assed guess. 
itsarebuild wrote: anyone interested in a 99 vr6 gti that still runs but needs the timing chain bits repaired?
where's the car located? auto trans or manual?
...and yes that's a typical price for a dealer level shop. Independents will be in the $1500 range. Yes it's chains, and yes you have to drop the trans to do it.
Also, it's one of those jobs where you my as well do a clutch while you're in there since the trans is out.
I'm assuming Hotlanta.
But manual or auto?
Price?
It's a 9-10 hour job plus parts. I would definitely replace the clutch, rear main, and all the tensioners and guides while in there. Most likely a broken guide or a failed hydraulic tensioner is what caused the problem to begin with.
Will the jumped chain bugger up the valves in a VR6?
In reply to spitfirebill:
If so, I have a VR6 head that is bend free that I would love to unload for cheap. I don't see myself ever getting a VR6. Im in Atlanta also...
From the "golden days" at VW Vortex:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?1264409-DIY-Replacing-timing-chains-tensioners-and-guides-on-a-12v-VR6
And yes, it's an interference engine. Definitely do the tensioners, even the "revised" ones fail early (it's probably what caused it to jump time in the first place). And Cone Junky's right-the tensioners on the green one (it's a 92) didn't last 100Kmi.
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