Cambelt...2.0 8v GTi

[domross]

Looked back through my past service history and can't see if/when the cambelt was last replaced....not sure that it's something that I'd want to do myself as there's to much to bugger up...any idea how much this sort of job would cost??

[erico]

I know this post is pretty old but...here are my .02 cents. The job is pretty simple for a mechanically adept person who has his own tools. #1 cylinder at TDC. Make sure all line up the appropriate match marks on the sprockets are matched to the top of the cylinder head and to each other... loosen up the belt tensioner...remove the old timing belt and install the new one.

Now...that was a seriously simplistic description. You must know all the normal caveats for when working on the engine with timing belt removed (it is an interference motor after all) The covers for the belt can be a bit of a pain to remove...especially the lower one. If you don't have the nerve or basic knowledge required to do the job...leave it to a professional or experienced backyard mechanic. You can really knacker your engine if ya don't know what you are doing. If you have friends who know how and are willing to help...ask them. BTW...do not do this job without the proper service manual. Buy yourself the Bentley manual (they are worth their weight in at least today's US dollars.

You did not say where you are located, that always helps...In Europe it costs @ 150 Euros to have it done at a proper garage. In the States perhaps $200-300 USD. Given your use of the phrase "bugger up" my guess is that you must be from the UK or Australia or New Zealand. All nice places BTW.

cheers,
Erico

P.S I found a link to a pdf manual that details the procedure for you. Here ya go

[Col]

The thing that makes a bit more exciting though is the prospect of loosing the timing on the intermediate shaft that drives the dizzy.

Make sure you mark it with a dab of paint when the crank and cam are timed up otherwise it is great fun getting the timing back.

[hornetcarp]

i'm in the process of weighing up whether to attempt this myself on the same motor......

not done one before so a little apprehensive...

are any special tools required other than standard stuff like a socket set, spanners etc.?

p.s. my cambelt has been on 7 years/60k miles so i think it's due a change!!!

[squirrel4207]

ok hwo about my timing belt just broke.. and teh mechanibending motornc tried telling me " it might be a valve bending motor and it might cost alot to fix it.. any truth to that.. is that even possible? as in teh belt snaped nd teh pisoton head cam up and smaked teh valve bending it?

[Col]

ok hwo about my timing belt just broke.. and teh mechanibending motornc tried telling me " it might be a valve bending motor and it might cost alot to fix it.. any truth to that.. is that even possible? as in teh belt snaped nd teh pisoton head cam up and smaked teh valve bending it?

What on earth are you talking about?

A few to many stellas maybe?

A new langauge that only you understand ?

[squirrel4207]

a mechaninc tried telling me that since my timeing belt broke on my golf 3 2.0 16v. the piston might have bent my valve.. is this even possible?

[domross]

the simple answer is yes!!! More than possible in fact v.v likely to happen...without the timing belt there the pistons and valves work against eachother hit and bend/break

Erico, thanks for the PDF manual looking at that has made my mind up....its off to the garage!!

[erico]

a mechaninc tried telling me that since my timeing belt broke on my golf 3 2.0 16v. the piston might have bent my valve.. is this even possible?

Yes.. the engine that your car has is an interfence engine.

That means that if the timing (i.e. intake and exhaust valves) is not correctly set, there will very likely be consequences.

The consequences can be very bad.. Bent valves. canshaft snapped. A valve can punch through a piston crown..

Non interference engines are quite rare.

cheers.