How much...

[Spooky211]

should i expect to pay to get my timing belt done? I changed it myself in my old 8V but i hear its a bit of nightmare on the 16V as its so tight. Any ideas?

[rubjonny]

its even easier on a 16v than an 8v, exactly the same procedure but you dont need to worry about thye intermediate shaft or dizzy timing.  the belt needs to be done up a bit tighter than an 8v, but the later abf has a self adjusting tensioner so this is taken care of.  it has a pair of arrows on it which move as you tighten the tensioner, you tighten the tensioner till the arrow moves as far as it can go, then loosen it till the arrows line up, simples. 

you'll need a proper timing belt tensioner tool though, the old bodge way of using a bent fork, allen key or bent circlip pliers wont work on these as the 2 peg holes are not deep enough

if it has the earlier tensioner, you just tighten it till you can get around a 45 degree twist on the belt

early up to ABF020922:
http://www.vwspares.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=566

late abf from ABF020923:
http://www.vwspares.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=456

late tensioner link even has a link to the right tool

you can convert between the tensioner types by changing the tensioner stud and nut too if you want

[Spooky211]

Cheers mate, will give it a shot!!