prt57 Posted December 8, 2007 Report Share Posted December 8, 2007 Hi, I have a Golf GTI 1.8T that I bought new in 1998. I can't quite get to the bottom on when the cambelt should be changed. Last year when I booked it in for a service I asked and was told that it was changed on mileage and not age. The car has now done 39,000 miles so quite low mileage. Today I asked the same question and ws told that it should have been changed at 4 years or 80,000 miles, whichever is sooner. I am well aware of the engine wrecking potential when the cam belt snaps but if someone knows one way or the other I would be pleased to hear. Cheers, prt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemod Posted December 8, 2007 Report Share Posted December 8, 2007 When I sold my MKIV in 2005 it had 87000 miles and was still on the original cam belt. According to the dealer at the time it didn't need changed until 120000 miles, not sure of the time limit. I know a lot of guys changed them earlier as it seemed to be a long time to rely on a rubber band. However the water pump usually fails much earlier than this so the cam belt was changed at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burble Posted December 9, 2007 Report Share Posted December 9, 2007 Just to confuse things more, I was told that VW originally recommended 60k miles or 5 years but that in 2004 (I think) they changed that to 40k miles or 3 years after seeing belts (and therefore pistons & valves) go pop after about 45k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rustynuts Posted December 9, 2007 Report Share Posted December 9, 2007 VW recommended belt change interval is 4 years or [mileage specified for engine] so it should've been done twice by now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikemod Posted December 9, 2007 Report Share Posted December 9, 2007 Looking at my Service Schedule for the MKV GTI 147KW engine, the camshaft drive belt is to be replaced every 120000 miles and no time limit is specified. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted December 9, 2007 Report Share Posted December 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Just to confuse things more, I was told that VW originally recommended 60k miles or 5 years but that in 2004 (I think) they changed that to 40k miles or 3 years after seeing belts (and therefore pistons & valves) go pop after about 45k. [/ QUOTE ] .... Having done 43k miles in 2.5 years methinks I'll be checking my 2006-build GTI's Handbook - which I happen to have handy and it says: "Every 90,000 km / 60,000 miles - The camshaft drive belt is checked - 4-cylinder petrol engines only". "Every 120,000 km / 80,000 miles - The camshaft drive belt is replaced - 4-cylinder unit injector engines only". "Every 180,000 km / 120,000 miles - The camshaft drive belt is replaced - 2.0l, 110 kW FSI and 147 kW TFSI only". "Every 240,000 km / 160,000 miles - The toothed belt tensioning roller for the camshaft drive is replaced - 4-cylinder unit injector engines only". HTH [written while mikemod posted his matching info] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyGTi Posted December 9, 2007 Report Share Posted December 9, 2007 The trouble with service books is that they get out of date and can be superseded by more recent advice. Probably best to doublecheck direct with a VW dealer . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve2 Posted December 9, 2007 Report Share Posted December 9, 2007 I would always get it done at 60,000 miles or 4 years no matter what anyone says purely for peace of mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRobin Posted December 9, 2007 Report Share Posted December 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] The trouble with service books is that they get out of date and can be superseded by more recent advice. Probably best to doublecheck direct with a VW dealer . [/ QUOTE ] ....Agreed. I only use my VW dealer for servicing anyway and intend to continue doing so as I get on very well with them and they know my car and only use their best mechanics on her . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dublin_gti Posted December 17, 2007 Report Share Posted December 17, 2007 I just had my 2006 GTi done at 55K miles. Cambelt, tensioner, waterpump,alternator belt and all fluids and filters. A very reasonable €800, I might add. No way I was waiting until 120k..........not for a rubber band ;-) I've seen them fail on other cars at much lower mileage than my own and I didn't fancy taking the chance of having to replace an engine. Definitely worth it for peace of mind alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prt57 Posted December 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 25, 2007 The cam belt is being changed on Friday. More garages have said that it should be done every 4 years. As the car is 9 years old and on the original belt I will be keeping my fingers crossed on my drive to Stratford! Genuine VW dealer beat my local dealer by £200 for cambelt, tensioner, water pump etc and a service. When I asked my local dealer to match the price I was told to get a quote in writing and that they might consider it. I told the service chap that if I were going to the garage I would just be getting the job done. What useless service from the garage that I bought the car from and have looked after it since new. I know where not to go if I need to buy a new VW!! Cheers, prt57 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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