I own a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg edition. Its one of the nicest cars I've ever driven. However today the engine malfunctioned and cut off after I switched to 2nd gear and it wouldnt start again. Yes I know how to drive stick and every time I change gears I make sure I press the clutch all the way to the bottom. But today right before the engine cut off there was this weird and nasty grinding sound, I imagine it was the timing chain. the car is used and I know Jetta's need their timing chain changed every 65000 miles before a serious malfunction.I've only had it for one day But this is the first time it has happened to me since its the first Jetta I've ever owned and Im worried about the car, . Was the sound I heard before the car cutted off the timing chain snapping or something else ?2001 Volkswagen Jetta Owners please help me?Well the nasty grinding sound could be a couple of things. It could very well be the timing chain, or the turbo breaking, or the rods cracking, or the pistons blowing a ring, Its really hard to say without opening the engine up. My wife an I have a 2001 Wolfsburg also. It has 108,000 miles on it and it runs great. the only problem that we have had is the piping came loose by the factory intercooler and was loosing boost by blowing air out. 10 minutes it was fixed and running strong again.2001 Volkswagen Jetta Owners please help me?most likely the timing belt snapped, this is bad. With the broken belt you will need all the associated items to get to and replace the bent intake valves and possibly the exhaust valves. to check the belt, pop the cover on the passenger side of the engine. if the belt is loose or obviously broken then the above repair is needed which unfortunately is labor intensive. good luck2001 Volkswagen Jetta Owners please help me?I have an 01 Jetta too, it's pretty, fun to drive, and I like it but it is a very unreliable little car. I've had mine for 6 months and mine broke down the first day I had it too and so far I've put about $2500 in fixing it and it still needs another $1000 in repairs right now. It's a nice car but it's a love hate relationship. I'd find a good mechanic who is used to working on VW's and become their friend, that's what I did and I have his number saved in my phone.2001 Volkswagen Jetta Owners please help me?That doesn't sound like the timing belt to me. When the belt went out on my last Jetta, it made no sound even though I was in 3rd gear. It just quit going into gear so I had to brake and pull over and call a tow truck.
Also, the car should still start even with the belt out.
