Cam Belt

[SHAGGY]

Hi Folks
I'm new so bear with me.
I bought a Bora 1.9 TDi from my Company a few weeks ago (they sell them off from time to time), 4 years old and 64,000 on the clock.
I sold my Sciroco 8 years ago in favour of a Citroen Xantia (I know, I know) and I still miss it so I'm glad to be back in the VW camp.
Anyway, it turns out that the service record is complete but not all VW work. I took it to VW for a service and they say I need new discs and pads all round (725.00) and a new cam belt which I'm just guessing would be about 350.00.
No.1 should I go to VW or to the garage down the road from me - who usually do good work at a fair price and don't give me any bull**it?
No.2 I notice from the Haynes manual that the cam belt should be renewed at 60,000 and then again at 80,000. What's going on there? Why such a short interval?
I'd appreciate hearing from anyone with experience of non-VW cam belt changes.
Regards
Shaggy

[Eshrules]

Hi Folks
I'm new so bear with me.
I bought a Bora 1.9 TDi from my Company a few weeks ago (they sell them off from time to time), 4 years old and 64,000 on the clock.
I sold my Sciroco 8 years ago in favour of a Citroen Xantia (I know, I know) and I still miss it so I'm glad to be back in the VW camp.
Anyway, it turns out that the service record is complete but not all VW work. I took it to VW for a service and they say I need new discs and pads all round (725.00) and a new cam belt which I'm just guessing would be about 350.00.
No.1 should I go to VW or to the garage down the road from me - who usually do good work at a fair price and don't give me any bull**it?
No.2 I notice from the Haynes manual that the cam belt should be renewed at 60,000 and then again at 80,000. What's going on there? Why such a short interval?
I'd appreciate hearing from anyone with experience of non-VW cam belt changes.
Regards
Shaggy

ok theres a few things here....

first off, the dealer who sold you the car... did they inform you that the car hadnt had its timing belt done, in accordance to VW guidlines? if the garage sold the car to you with full service history, go back and demand it is done before you report them to trading standards for not selling the car as per description.... if you have a warranty, it will be void in respect of the timing belt and any damage that will occur as a result of its failure.

second - the interval for the timing belts are 60k or 4 years, whichever comes first, forget the 80k, that went out years ago. most recent techincal bulletin i know of states 60k/4 years, whichever comes first.

as for the actual work to be done, presuming the garage that sold it you has no liability, take it to the garage you know, they are always the best place to send your car to.... dont send it to a main dealer for the sake of it, it does not necessarily guarentee good workmanship im afraid (no sweeping generalisation intended)

if i had the choice between a good independant that offer good rates, excellent work and a good service OR a VW main dealer who i dont know and have no guarentee with... id go for the independant every time.


good luck mate and let us know how you get on

[SHAGGY]

Thanks for that.
The question of liability doesn't arise as I bought the car from the Company I work for and as such they are 'sold as seen'. Cars sold previously by them have always been scrupulously serviced by the relevant dealer so I was not too concerned. However, this one wasn't.
The last service was completed (not by VW) at 48,000 under the 'longlife service interval' and when I bought it the display advised a service at 1400 more miles. The mileage for this type of servicing can vary quite a lot and this is why the usual 60,000 mile service/cam belt change was not followed.
My vague assumption that the cam belt had been changed turned out to be wrong.
I suppose the lesson to learn is let the buyer beware and NEVER assume anything.
I'm still a little confused though as to why the cam belt should be changed at 60,000 and then again at 80,000? And what do you mean when you say you have no guarantee at a VW main dealer?
Regards
Shaggy

[Loofer]

Hey Shaggy... welcome to the forum. I'm new here myself but have found this forum invaluable.

Just want to pick up on something you mentioned, about purchasing your car from your company.

Does your company sell to the public or did you have access as an employee perk? The reason I'm asking is that my friend is looking for a car at the moment. Companies (generally speaking) tend to dispose of thir cars at quite good value (to the buyer) and the mileage you bought your car at is relatively low.

If your employer does sell direct to public then please could you provide details of the company and who to contact.

Thanks

[SHAGGY]

It's a company perk- 'best bidder wins' stylee, though judging from my experience i'd use the word 'perk' very loosly.
I paid 5 grand which is a little below market value but with the repairs am I any better off? In one way yes because I know the cars history from day one.
Why not tell your mate to try auctions which is what I was going to do if I didn't get the Bora. If you are paying serious money you have got some guarantee's these days if you find a major fault.
just an idea.
Regards
Shaggy

[Eshrules]

I'm still a little confused though as to why the cam belt should be changed at 60,000 and then again at 80,000? And what do you mean when you say you have no guarantee at a VW main dealer?
Regards
Shaggy

it doesnt..... change it at 60k, then again at 120k or within the next 4 years.....

80k doesnt come into it mate, as far as i know anyway! i cant see why you would change the belt and tensioner again 20k later....

i didnt actually mean you dont have a 'guarentee' i meant, you dont know their work standard, ie an independant specialist is more likely to complete the job to a high standard as opposed to a vw main dealer...

go with the garage you know every time.

whilst vw main dealers have the backing of the 'brand' they are not necessarily the most competant....

you understand me now mate?

[SHAGGY]

Yes I've got you now.
The Haynes manual was a little confusing on this point though - I just read it wrong.

[SHAGGY]

Just got the quote from my local Garage.....£280 (all in) for the Cam belt and £130 for new front discs and pads (back ones don't need doing)....So its £410 for the lot as opposed to £750 at the VW Dealer.
They have always done good work for me in the past so there's no reason to think they won't now.
Should be done by Friday.
By the way, the post about the exploding flywheel..... Is it anything to worry about?
And where is it anyway and how do you go about inspecting it?

Regards

Shaggy