Cambelt Change at Four Years for a 1.8T VW Golf

dnphillips · 15-03-2006, 16:37

Just been advised by my local dealer that my 02 Golf GTi is due a Cambelt change. (only has 21,000 on the clock)
The manual says five years or 60,000 but having spoken to VW they say that due to a number of failures on visually inspected belts they have changed their policy to every four years.
Any one heard of this before or know if the same applies to Skoda? If so our 02 Octy vRS will also need a belt change in a month or so ! Could be an expensive few months!!

Cheers
Darren

MaxLugo · 15-03-2006, 16:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnphillips

Just been advised by my local dealer that my 02 Golf GTi is due a Cambelt change. (only has 21,000 on the clock)
The manual says five years or 60,000 but having spoken to VW they say that due to a number of failures on visually inspected belts they have changed their policy to every four years.
Any one heard of this before or know if the same applies to Skoda? If so our 02 Octy vRS will also need a belt change in a month or so ! Could be an expensive few months!!

Cheers
Darren

Well, my 02 4x4 has "only" 40,000km and a couple of weeks ago it developed a strange diesel-like sound below 1500rpm. When i checked, my cambelt is almost going, and both the belt tensioner and the tensioner roller are almost finished. Right now, the car is at the shop changing all that. I guess i'll have to start checking my belts at every oil-change.

Joel_vRS · 15-03-2006, 18:06

i say if in doubt get it changed..better safe then sorry

Joel

rongagain · 15-03-2006, 18:25

Yes, miles aren't the only criteria for change.

Five years is getting to the 'risk time'.

Change it, and strongly consider the tensioners, many a wrecked engine comes from the failure of tensioners.

***DGW*** · 15-03-2006, 23:52

My 4X4 has done less than 17,000 miles in 4 years. The cambelt was visually checked recently during a 20K/2year variable service and showed no obvious signs of wear.

Fabia 12v · 16-03-2006, 00:18

best safe than sorry in a case like this matey

MaxLugo · 16-03-2006, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGW

My 4X4 has done less than 17,000 miles in 4 years. The cambelt was visually checked recently during a 20K/2year variable service and showed no obvious signs of wear.

it's not just the belt, but also the tensioner and the roller. At 4 years standing the pressure from the belt, the tensioner may finaly fail from fatigue and break. And looking at the rumors that these parts are weaker than VW thought, you should probably invest in some "insurance". imho.

***DGW*** · 16-03-2006, 17:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxLugo

it's not just the belt, but also the tensioner and the roller. At 4 years standing the pressure from the belt, the tensioner may finaly fail from fatigue and break. And looking at the rumors that these parts are weaker than VW thought, you should probably invest in some "insurance". imho.

I am insured with Warranty Direct and the cambelt is covered.

I haven't seen or heard yet that SkodaAuto have changed the service requirement to inspect the belt at 90,000 km, then every 30,0000 km until 180,000 km when it must be changed - but I will keep my ear to the ground. My son's Audi S3 with the 210hp 1.8T engine also has a cambelt change interval of 180,000 km unless that has been revised. The water pump is another problematic VW component which can have expensive repercussions depending on how and when it fails.

MaxLugo · 16-03-2006, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGW

I am insured with Warranty Direct and the cambelt is covered.

I haven't seen or heard yet that SkodaAuto have changed the service requirement to inspect the belt at 90,000 km, then every 30,0000 km until 180,000 km when it must be changed - but I will keep my ear to the ground. My son's Audi S3 with the 210hp 1.8T engine also has a cambelt change interval of 180,000 km unless that has been revised. The water pump is another problematic VW component which can have expensive repercussions depending on how and when it fails.

I usually prefeer not HAVING to use the insurance

My car just came back from the shop. It's running like a charm. Engine is quieter than ever and best of all, no more cambelt messing for a long time.

15-03-2006, 16:37	#1
dnphillips Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South UK Posts: 38 Members Car: Golf GTI, swmbo Octy VRS Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Cambelt Change at Four Years for a 1.8T VW Golf Just been advised by my local dealer that my 02 Golf GTi is due a Cambelt change. (only has 21,000 on the clock) The manual says five years or 60,000 but having spoken to VW they say that due to a number of failures on visually inspected belts they have changed their policy to every four years. Any one heard of this before or know if the same applies to Skoda? If so our 02 Octy vRS will also need a belt change in a month or so ! Could be an expensive few months!! Cheers Darren

15-03-2006, 18:06	#3
Joel_vRS Briskodian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Peterborough Posts: 1,658 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Cambelt Change at Four Years for a 1.8T VW Golf i say if in doubt get it changed..better safe then sorry Joel __________________ Everyday car: Pimp Black Skoda Octavia VRS, 230bhp, 250lb custom remap, blueflame stainless exhaust, lowered, Hyperboost Dump Valve, ABD tip. 1/4mile in 14.99 secs Project Car: Vintage Mk2 Golf, to be turned in to a 1/4 mile beast, 1.8T 20v engine conversion! Watch this space!!!!

15-03-2006, 18:25	#4
rongagain Briskodian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: north east Posts: 119 Members Car: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Cambelt Change at Four Years for a 1.8T VW Golf Yes, miles aren't the only criteria for change. Five years is getting to the 'risk time'. Change it, and strongly consider the tensioners, many a wrecked engine comes from the failure of tensioners. __________________ Fabia VRS in silver, 'out the wrapper' standard Now gone, but never forgotten..............

15-03-2006, 23:52	#5
*DGW* BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 17,299 Members Car: Octavia 1.8T 4X4 Estate & Fabia vRS Thanks: 51 Thanked 207 Times in 156 Posts	Re: Cambelt Change at Four Years for a 1.8T VW Golf My 4X4 has done less than 17,000 miles in 4 years. The cambelt was visually checked recently during a 20K/2year variable service and showed no obvious signs of wear. __________________ Denis 2002 Octavia 1.8T 4X4 turbo Estate - rebreathed on by Jabba ... 31.93mpg 2007 Fabia vRS - CC, ESP and full leather trim by Seat Surgeons ...48.57 mpg...

16-03-2006, 00:18	#6
Fabia 12v RICHARD Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Twickenham - Middlesex Posts: 5,026 Members Car: Skoda Fabia >> VW Golf >> Seat Ibiza >> VW Polo Thanks: 11 Thanked 26 Times in 23 Posts	Re: Cambelt Change at Four Years for a 1.8T VW Golf best safe than sorry in a case like this matey __________________ First Car: Skoda Fabia MK1 1.2 12v Comfort Replaced with: Volkswagen Golf MK4 GT 1.9TDI Replaced with: Seat Ibiza MK4 Sport 1.9TDI Replaced with: Volkswagen Polo MK6 Ltd. Edition Sport 1.4 16v

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