GTI Cambelt Info Please

[Teflon]

OK, I've got to admit I'm thoroughly confused by what is the official policy on cambelt changes, so someone pelase help me understand.

My GTI is coming up to 4 years old, with a modest 12k on the clock. Worse, Mrs Teflon's car has the same 2.0 turbo engine at 4 years and even fewer miles. Both have been lovingly cosseted since new and I'm not well disposed to having a perfectly servicable engine cracked open at considerable cost.

Many years ago, I did the major engine strip and rebuild on my MG Montego after a cambelt went twang so I'm not unaware of the implications. But that was an ex-lease car that had been to the moon and back before I got it and I used to drive like I'd nicked it. I had the Audi 2.5TDI done at about 60k, but only because the dual mass front pully was failing and while the front end of the car was off it seemed tight fisted not to blow nearly £800.

So someone please tell me, for the 2.0T engine, what is the official UK time/distance policy. Also, does anyone know what it is in Germany and other European countries?

I seem to remember that in the USA it is 80k, no time limit, but this might be duff info I was fed. However, if it last can forever in the land of the free and if the limit is longer in Germany, then I might take a chance.

[harltech]

It lists the intervals in your service pack. VW recommend it is changed every 80k or 4 years. (some older models were 60k check your service pack.)

Ive worked on VWs for 10years and when changing belts that are 4years old but low miles, the belts always look ok BUT There is no way of knowing when a belt is likely to snap. Most of the time the belt only breaks because a roller or tensioner has failed.

[Teflon]

Okay, thanks. Does a standard dealer belt change include all new rollers and tensioners?

Also, Eurovision fans, do we have any votes from the German jury?

[harltech]

Okay, thanks. Does a standard dealer belt change include all new rollers and tensioners?

Also, Eurovision fans, do we have any votes from the German jury?

Yeah it comes as a kit.

[Teflon]

Now, I've done some research and now I'm even more confused.

My service book (BWA engine code, 147kW TFSI) says that the camshaft drive belt is CHECKED at 60k and REPLACED at 120k. There is no specified time limit for the cambelt and no recomendation made in the book.

So I'm sticking with that, at least for the next few years. If it goes twang at 15k after 5 years I'll be into VW's ribs and hope we get it sorted without needing the small claims court. If I get the flyer from my local dealer suggesting a replacment at 4 years I'll be asking for some offical VW paperwork to support their proposal.

[Crasher]

The change interval for a BWA engine is 180000 Km (111847 miles) BUT a recommendation from VAG since your car was built has also added 5 years on petrol engines as a time limit. Personally I think nigh on 112K miles is too much.

[Teflon]

5 years sounds good to me. It gives me another year and a bit to twiddle my thumbs. I might be up to 20k by then.

[radox]

The original handbook for my 2004 Golf TDI didn't mention a time interval for replacing the timing belt. Just a mileage interval. I too however was confused following a lot of conflicting advice and ended up contacting VW UK HQ themselves for clarification. I was informed that they had changed their policy from about 2005 onwards to add a 4 year maximum time interval. This was apparently because there is a rubber component in timing belts which does degrade over time.

This made sense to me and so I decided to get my car's timing belt changed because it was nearly 4 years old rather than wait until it covered the 80,000 maximum miles.

Stuart
http://www.stuartdalby.co.uk/vwgolfmk5