Q&A

The 2.8L V6 engine on the 2001 Jetta is driven by a Timing Chain, this is not a Scheduled Maintenance item. It needs to be replace it if something is wrong with it.

My local guy just told me that it is best to get it done and 100,000 miles, since if it goes bad it can really hurt your engine.

And yes, unlike the previous person's answer, it is a scheduled maintenance item.

I should also tell you that he is doing it for $600 (Parts are $250, labor $350).

Yes, but not 950 for sure. I spend 550 for it. It costs more on labor than on parts, also plz make sure u also change the water pump when u do this as it takes the same process and cost u the same for later stages. Ur timing belt is with the cam shafts that runs thru the engine, and can tip the engine valves, so its better to spend 950 than spending 4000 for a engine replacement. Hope it helps.

if it is a timing belt engine it should be replaced to prevent the belt from braking
The timing belt is a wear item it will wear out and if not changed it will brake causing extensive damage to the Cylinder head on top of the engine. When the belt brakes the camshaft stop but the pistons will still move up and down therefore striking the valves
and bending them or destroying the pistons. this repair will be very expensive 2 to 3 thousand dollars depend what and how bad the damage is in the engine. replace the timingbelt at 80k to be safe cost should not be more than 750 max