98 Jetta: timing belt question-non-interference?/transmission fluid question

Hi,
I have a 1998 vw jetta gl 2.0 auto w/49,000 miles.
Am I correct that this is a non-interference engine? Also, when is a
good time to get the timing belt replaced? I looked at the 1998
maintenance schedule and it said to just check the condition every
40k, and it's fine but when is the proper time to get it replaced if
i'm not experiencing any problems w/it.

also, the maintenance schedule says to change the atf every 60k, the
atf is fine now and i'm at 49k, is it better to do something like this
earlier as opposed to waiting til the car hits 60k?

thanks for all your help.

(Ben867-5309) wrote in message om>...
> Hi,
> I have a 1998 vw jetta gl 2.0 auto w/49,000 miles.
> Am I correct that this is a non-interference engine? Also, when is a
> good time to get the timing belt replaced? I looked at the 1998
> maintenance schedule and it said to just check the condition every
> 40k, and it's fine but when is the proper time to get it replaced if
> i'm not experiencing any problems w/it.
>
> also, the maintenance schedule says to change the atf every 60k, the
> atf is fine now and i'm at 49k, is it better to do something like this
> earlier as opposed to waiting til the car hits 60k?
>
> thanks for all your help.

Personally, I'd change the timing belt (and all the seals behind the
timing belt, and the water pump, thermostat and all the accessory
belts) every 60,000 miles or every 5 years.

And I'd go with that same interval for the ATF. 5 years or 60,000
miles, whichever comes first.

Yours isn't an interference engine, so if the timing belt fails, it
will just require a tow to get it fixed. But that's still a PITA. I
think it's better to replace it before it fails.
--
Racer X

1984 VW Jetta Diesel GT
1992 Mazda Miata
1994 Caravan (OK, maybe it's a keeper, but I still want a VW Caddy)
1995 Ford Escort (Hey, it was free)
1983 VW Rabbit GTI (ITB racer)
1988 Mazda RX-7 (Soon to be ITS racer)
1992 GMC Topkick (portable garage for racecar[s])

Buy my stuff at http://ebay-racer-x.notlong.com