I have been told 2 conflicting answers to this question - my local Volkswagen garage has told me that it needs doing every 70,000 miles. However I spoke to a mechanic at a specialist VW garage and the guy said they don't really need changing till 100,000 miles, 70,000 is only really precautionary. Seeing as this will probably cost me £350 is it worth doing now considering I am probably going to sell the car when it has done 80-90,000 miles?
2007-03-01 05:27:05 · 9 answers · asked by chiggle 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
your engine is an interference fit. meaning if the timing belt breaks valves will hit pistons causing at minimum bent valves.
at maximum broken pistons and cracked cylinder. so price the difference to replace timing belt and replace engine. this should help you decide on precautionary or usually change interval. I personally go with precautionary as the price difference is too much. but then I do the work myself.
2007-03-01 06:23:38 · answer #1 · answered by Sundew 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why are there so many negative ratings on these answers? The reality is that VW does NOT have an exact recommended replacement schedule for the timing belt. This is because it varies too much, based on conditions, oil leaks, etc. But the average is about 80,000 every 5 years, as has already been written. Since this person has only put 42,000 miles on over 4 years, it is clearly too soon unless the belt looks bad for some reason. And by the way, I happen to also have a 1.8 GTI petrol, and it has cut outs in the pistons so that it is not an interference fit. Throwing the belt does not risk bending the valves.
2016-03-18 21:40:03 · answer #2 · answered by Kathryn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You ask a question where many will give you different answers.
VW wrote to me last September, saying my Golf was now 4 years old and due a cambelt change. 60,000 miles or every 4 years they say (as rubber deteriorates whether used or not). However I'm happy to risk more miles considering its still done under 30K.
A German VW Technician told me that VW Germany issue no guideline about 60K cambelt change.. and that its VW UK advice.
Last thing though you want is cambelt to go.. wrecking the engine valves.. and probably requiring a new engine... but I'm still gonna wait till at least 60K on the clock.. even if thats 3 years away.
When you get your cambelt done you really really should make sure that they also put in a new waterbottle. Its easy to do when they are doing the cambelt as they already have access to it there and then. VW Golfs mark IV use plastic waterbottles with plastic impalers. The plastic impalers can become brittle and if they all snap then it can be just as nasty as cambelt going. You can get waterbottles with metal impalers from VW specialists. Also new tensioners imo.
Do yourself a big favour and vist/join this website which is for VW Golf owners (its free to visit/join): http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/default.aspx
Over 17,000+ members, many of great knowledge, and great info to save you money and give you better education about all stuff VW Golf. Use the search feature to check info, BTW... with cambelt... always ring a few dealers (stealers) for quotes... and if possible... use a VW Specialist (time-served VW mechanics who now work independantly... not some nooby 18 year old trainee at the stealers) who will more often than not give you a much better job than the stealers at a better price.. and make sure work is done that dealers don't really care about.
2007-03-01 05:40:11 · answer #3 · answered by Joe Bloggs 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
When do I actually have to change the cam belt on a mark IV Golf gti?
I have been told 2 conflicting answers to this question - my local Volkswagen garage has told me that it needs doing every 70,000 miles. However I spoke to a mechanic at a specialist VW garage and the guy said they don't really need changing till 100,000 miles, 70,000 is only really...
2015-08-16 23:14:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Vw Golf Timing Belt
2016-10-18 02:26:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
70,000 is correct or 4 years whatever is sooner..Furious they dont have plastic water bottles with impaler's they do have water pumps with plastic impellers.
2007-03-01 07:24:04 · answer #6 · answered by mick 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if the camebelt goes it will cost you a grand your choice
2007-03-01 05:35:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well every 80,000 should be good enough, but if it starts screaming then it needs changing lol! hope that helps
2007-03-01 05:36:22 · answer #8 · answered by karen h 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its 60k when u should change and it should not cost that much
2007-03-01 05:33:10 · answer #9 · answered by suby 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋