When to change Timing Chain on 2002 Polo 1.2 E 55 (AWY)

[ettlz]

I've a VW Polo 1.2 E with the 55bhp 3 cylinder engine, AWY series. It's approaching 40,000 miles and I've been told by the dealer that the "cam belt" should be changed. I presume that they, in fact, mean the timing chain. I also contacted an independent Volkswagen specialist for a quote, and they say that the timing chain should last the lifetime of the engine and needn't necessarily be changed. So what should I do? Is the timing chain normally changed at 40,000 miles?

Many thanks.

[ar2dt0o]

Well what I do is that I refer to the manual of the car model as to the mileage because each model has a specific recommended replacement mileage and you need to adhere to this for preventive maintenance. If the vw timing chain breaks, at a minimum you will be stranded because the engine just stops. Worst case on some models you will cause severe damage to the engine including bent valves, broken pistons, and possible main bearing damage which is VERY EXPENSIVE to repair.

[Huweth]

If it's got a timing chain then it will be good for at least a few hundred thousand miles! I think you'd better check to see what your car has, as VW may be trying to fleece you, or they may have just assumed that it has a belt and told you it needs changing. 40K is the limit for VW belts now.

[Flash2]

Service advisors at the main dealers are programmed to sell you a timing belt at 40k miles. The fact that the VW 1.2 engines don't have timing belts hasn't been entered in their programming. The manual says the chain is maintenance-free and doesn't specify if/when it should be changed.

Jim.

[TheWolf]

Good evening ladies/gents.

I bought a 2nd hand VW Polo(Mk IVF)E 1.2 60PS 3dr in Oct '06, it had almost 6K on the clock when I got it and had originally been registered in Apr '06 {therefore an '06 plate}. It has just been for it's first "Long Life Service" with almost 14K on the clock. Arnold Clark of Jordanhill {Glasgow} have found a very serious problem with it's timing chain !!! The car is still under warrantee, so no financial gripe to me, but should I be worried ???....surely a VW Polo {the Holy Grail of "superminis"} shouldn't need it's "timing chain" changed this early on in it's existence ???

Many thanks in advance.

TheWolf.

[JamesC]

would a stretched timing chain cause a car to lose power at 70ish mph? (slow down, and unable to get the revs up). Sorry to bring up the old thread but it looks most relevant

[DFMM]

Having just bought a 2003 IBIZA 1.2 12V, with chain driven twin-cam with hydraulic tappets, I searched a lot of forums and found a litany of problems with VAG vehicles, largely not covered by long-term recalls.
The plastic parts of the tensioner system have been quoted by owners as breaking-up at 35,000 miles on, with some 60,000 mile cars still OK.
My nearest SEAT dealer has admitted that chains can fail at even less miles.
A revised set of parts became available in 2004, and I am having this fitted by a SEAT dealership at an all-in cost of ~ £300.
A broken chain will add the costs due to bent valves.
P.S. The engine is all-alloy including the chain of cylinders, which have a hard alloy sprayed on the bores. Reboring has to be done in a reconditioning factory, and a recon. block/head assy. costs £600 + VaT and del. plus labour in the workshop. Renewal of water pump/oil pump/thermostat assy. would be a recommended additional expenditure.
Change your oil & filter often to look after this type of engine properly

[DFMM]

The AZQ 12V version of this engine, has been known to fail catastrophically at 15,000 miles, during warranty, requiring a new engine.
The neighbour who told me his tale of woe, said he had to go down on bended knee, and kiss feet, to get the claim honoured by his SEAT dealer( perhaps because the third year of the warranty is down to the dealer ).
Other common problems with VAG smallish cars, is worn or bashed suspension and anti-roll bar bushes, broken coil springs ( I had to fork out for a spring and a rear bush for the lower wishbone, to match those which had failed the MoT, and the dealer I was buying from refused to cover,-- cost me £176,-- I didn't want my Son and his Girlfriend to be risking a slewing car).
There is a revised cam-chain kit which came out in 2004, but the plastic tensioner part is pushed by a hydraulic capsule, which relies on very clean engine oil, even after upgrading the kit of parts( 4 hours labour).
Beware of sleeping policemen ! Damage is often seen as wear on the inside edges of the front tyres but may be remedied by resetting the geometry using specialist gear.
I had to do this after 6,000 miles in a new 2003 Yaris,--- tyres only lasted another 1,000M.

[Boatlon]

would a stretched timing chain cause a car to lose power at 70ish mph? (slow down, and unable to get the revs up). Sorry to bring up the old thread but it looks most relevant

Certainly does, I've got same , doing a bit of browsing to see some instruction for replacement.