I’ve been neglecting the Jetta quite a bit lately and I think it’s time I give it a bit of much-needed TLC. Coming home from Disneyland a couple months ago, I got my first-ever “Check Engine Light” on the Jetta.  It only took me about 65,000 miles and 5 years, but I got one.  I scanned it with my VAG-COM, and found that the problem was a thermostat that’s stuck open.  The only real problem is the car takes a little longer to warm up from cold, and if it’s cold enough out, the temp my go down a little bit.  But with the mild temperatures that we enjoy out here in San Diego, it’s not that big an issue. I asked myself, “Why stop with just the thermostat?  While I’m in there, why don’t I just replace the timing belt and water pump?”  The 1.8T motor uses a rubber timing belt instead of a chain, so it’s not as durable as a timing chain, and even though VW recommends changing it at 105,000 miles, I’d rather not chance it.  The 1.8T is an interference design, so the pistons will slam into the valves if the timing belt breaks, causing major damage. Also, another weak point of the 1.8T is the stock water pump.  It uses a plastic impeller which is prone to shattering or separating from the shaft, causing the engine to overheat.  It’s driven by the timing belt, so it only makes sense to replace it at the same time as the timing belt with a new water pump that’s built with a metal impeller. I’ve also noticed it running a little rough at times or dropping power and it definitely feels like it’s misfiring.  I scanned it again using the VAG-COM and the computer is reporting random misfires in the number 1 and 3 cylinders.  I went ahead and ordered a set of new spark plugs and two new coilpacks, as they may be the problem as well.  I figured I’d at the very least replace all the spark plugs and check all the coilpacks and if any looked bad, I’d replace them.  If they all looked good and the car still ran well, then I would just keep them in the car as spares in case one ever went bad. Now that you have all that backstory, I can tell you that my dad and I have decided we’d tackle this big project on Saturday.  I was reading a DIY guide about changing the timing belt on a 1.8T today, and it listed the tools needed to perform the job.  I was taking stock of my tools and realized I was missing quite a few of the tools needed for the job (not to mention things like a spark plug socket and whatnot). I pulled up Sears.com and started looking for the tools that I would need.  I quickly realized by the time I bought all the tools and pieces I needed, it would cost nearly as much as a whole new set.  So I thought maybe I could find a decent tool set on sale or something.  I didn’t have to look long because, lo and behold, Sears had a sale on a 260-piece Craftsman Mechanics Toolset!  They already had $70 off as it was, and I found a promotion code for an additional $15 off.  So all in all I got the toolset for $85 off it’s original price! I’m quite pleased and excited and am very much looking forward to breaking them in this weekend!