Seriously bad luck, 3 cars in 2 months :(

[Petrolhead_Rich]

So Following my disaster with my Volvo http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=1216675&mid=119638 I then bought an astra van cheap that needed a head gasket, did the head gasket, van lasted a week before the turbo blew and dumped the oil into the engine, also revving it to a million RPM before I managed to stall it, so two cars down I scrapped the Volvo and bought a 2003 VW Passat, one owner from new, cambelt and major service at 80k, now with 99k on.

six weeks later, said VW Passat dies (tonight), timing belt failure, or (having stripped the covers off) more timing belt tensioner bolts coming loose and tensioner falling off, but effectively the same result.

So PH, I need two things:
1) cheering up (I'm now about £6k down and carless)
2) advice on weather a 2003 2.0L petrol VW Pattat is an interference engine (I'm betting it is)
3) links to any online manuals for said VW Passat and advice on timing belt and possibly head removal.

[AlLondon]

Sorry to hear this,

try here full workshop manuals.

http://elsaweb.spaghetticoder.org/

[Petrolhead_Rich]

AlLondon said:

Sorry to hear this,

try here full workshop manuals.

http://elsaweb.spaghetticoder.org/

Thanks for the quick reply, Fantastic Link

Oh and here's a piccy for you all to look at (if you're interested)

[morgrp]

I'd repair it - I know it's expensive but if the rest of the car is good shape and has done only 80k it would be worthwhile

[Petrolhead_Rich]

morgrp said:

I'd repair it - I know it's expensive but if the rest of the car is good shape and has done only 80k it would be worthwhile

Its got 100k on now, going to repair it, but just in utter disbelief at 3 major faults on 3 separate cars in 2 months! Car is now at work (friendly managers are a good thing & lots of tools there) so tomorrow I plan to start work, as everything is still in one piece I'm going to lock all the pulleys up, and bolt the timing belt on again, if it runs (fingers crossed, but not expecting much) then great, I'll order a new timing belt and locktite the kit on this time, if not then I start taking it apart to repair!

Gutted though!