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It certainly is a debate that rolls and rolls. I would be less concerned about the belt if a good OE quality one and more concerned about the the condition of what tensions it.
What is the definition of 'lifetime' anyway? Nothing last for ever.
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According to technical service and maintenance schedule from Skoda it is to be replaced at 120k km in dust rich countries but the space is blank for normal operating conditions, low dust countries. Incidentally it shows the schedule for common rail diesel engines to be replacement at 210k miles in low dust countries and 120k miles in dust rich countries.
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Have a code (not chassis number), version code as follows.
FM6FM6AJ009N7MMON1ML61VR2 max net power 92KW
Hope that has what you were looking for elekie doc.
Thanks for replies so far, even the makers and dealers can't agree what's best practice it appears.
Good news the water pump isn't driven, that at least removes one extra part putting the belt through a harder life than necessary.
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What is the definition of 'lifetime' anyway? Nothing last for ever.
It's the lifetime of the car so, presumably, until the belt snaps and the pistons smash everything to pieces. It's a daft term isn't it?
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What is the definition of 'lifetime' anyway? Nothing last for ever.
It's the lifetime of the car so, presumably, until the belt snaps and the pistons smash everything to pieces. It's a daft term isn't it?
Not really - because when the belt snaps, that's probably the end of the engine's life. :-)
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Have a code (not chassis number), version code as follows.
M6FM6AJ009N7MMON1ML61VR2 max net power 92KW
That is the 125 PS engine, no ACT.
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For what it's worth, we had the cambelt on our 2014 Golf TSi 1.4 (122) changed as recommended at 50K by our local indy. He showed me the 'old' belt afterwards which he described as 'like new' and to these untrained eyes it was.
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, we had the cambelt on our 2014 Golf TSi 1.4 (122) changed as recommended at 50K by our local indy. He showed me the 'old' belt afterwards which he described as 'like new' and to these untrained eyes it was.
They usually do, according to my local indy, who some years ago raised an eyebrow when I ignored Ford's cautionary advice to change our Focus1.6 Zetec belt at 100,000 miles/ten years old. You don't need much training to see cracking or crumbling, although you do need a special tool to measure the width to the nearest mm if swelling of a 'belt-in-oil' is suspected. In our Peugeot puretech BIO engine there were problems with some unfit for purpose OEM belts, possibly from China, widening, then chafing, producing debris.
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Assuming this assessment is correct, one might ask whether it would be right to invoke the 'If it ain't broke ...' mantra, on the grounds that the replacement might be of lower quality than the belt which has lasted so well ? :-)
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Assuming this assessment is correct, one might ask whether it would be right to invoke the 'If it ain't broke ...' mantra, on the grounds that the replacement might be of lower quality than the belt which has lasted so well ? :-)
I have only ever used OEM, Gates or Conti belts. Pretty sure VAG belts are Conti ones since when we looked at the Golf TSi 140 (before buying the Seat with the same engine for £5000 less) it was clearly stated in the brochure that the cam belt was a new design that was manufactured by Conti and was designed to last the life of the engine. I presume that when they wrote that they should have said when it breaks its the end of the engine. Brochure thrown away years ago but whilst some markets still continue with that recommendation many (like the UK) go for a 5 year-60,000 mile replacement recommendation.
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Have a code (not chassis number), version code as follows.
M6FM6AJ009N7MMON1ML61VR2 max net power 92KW
That is the 125 PS engine, no ACT.
Much obliged, it would appear that our comptent indy can do the job if the owner so wishes then, i'm just going to relay the info and let them make the decision.
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What is the price estimate for this cambelt change?
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What is the price estimate for this cambelt change?
Surprisingly our 90 series 3.4 litre petrol Landcruiser was that Toyota themselves quoted the best price, beating the nearest by £200 if i recall correctly @ just under £300 (it wasn't the achingly simple cambelt swap of the 3 litre Diesel so i wasn't DIYing it), one serious belt twice the thickness and width of most cambelts, non interference engine too.
Somehow i doubt it'll be best value at the VW dealer.
I'm going to hazard a guess that without water pump it'll be a £500 job at the dealer, so will be very interesting to see what our indy quotes.
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Sounds rather like the old Volvo Redblock engines, very easy cambelt change.
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Sounds rather like the old Volvo Redblock engines, very easy cambelt change.
3 litre 4 pot Toyota Diesel probably ties with the old Volvo engine for ease of belt change, 10mm socket, 12/13mm socket, Allen socket around the 10/12mm mark, torque wrench for the 12/13mm tensioner bolts, pliers to pull the grenade pin from the new tensioner, thats it.
Real timing marks too, no locking tools, all belts should be like this and in all honesty there's no earthly reason why they aren't.
Edited by gordonbennet on 01/05/2023 at 19:25
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Personally I would change it...use a genuine or 'Gates' belt.
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I had the cambelt and waterpump changed on my old 2007 Focus last Autumn, probably unnecessary but it's peace of mind. On such an old car if the belt snapped it would be curtains so a few hundred spent seemed sensible as the car is in good condition. No reason to believe the car won't do quite a few more years. I have no immediate plans to change it. The entire bill was £650 but that included the MOT (pass) and a service.
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I’ve now got a quote from my indie for my 1.4 Mk 7 Golf. It’s £656 inc parts, VAT and 4 hours labour. It’s for genuine VW parts (eye watering £370) but includes the precautionary auxiliary belt and all the other bits - belt kit, pulley, tensioner, bolts and aux belt.
VW menu price (without auxiliary) would be £700 and a VW specialist £592 but again that didn’t include the auxiliary or assurance on genuine parts.
So it’s booked into the indie. It’s one of those jobs where a fair price is better than a cheap one.
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Quote from our indy.
£495 cambelt alone, if done same time as full service and MOT (owner lives 75 miles away) £700 incl.
I'm assuming good quality if not genuine parts, when they changed the clutch for the same owner on her Aygo a LUK kit went in, well regarded indy who we've never had reason to doubt.
They've worked on the Golf before, did an emergency replacement of rear pads and discs when the owner was visiting us and i spotted a deeply tramlined rear disc which turned out to be seizing caliper.
Good indies worth keeping and showing how much you appreciate them, that'll be another large box of biccies/chocolates to drop off for the tea room.
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£495 sounds good but I suppose what they mean by just the belt.
I’ve realised I overstated my price previously as I misread the VAT element on the quote which includes the service also being done.
To be clear my bill for the cambelt elements is £570.
The full parts list is belt kit (£113) pulley (£54) tensioner and bolt (£85) aux belt (£30) Labour is £288. All inclusive of VAT.
As per my earlier post the £570 compares well against VW at £700 and £592 at a specialist who weren’t including the aux belt.
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Picking the Toyota up later on after its MOT so will clarify what comprises the belt change kit.
Thats for a full Gates kit.
Edited by gordonbennet on 05/05/2023 at 16:46
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;Our 20th century Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec cambelt appeared to be still perfectly serviceable at three times the age and over three times that mileage. Mind you, it did have a squirt of my venerable Drako Sprazon belt dressing every five years or so.
The answer John F is where you said 20th century, as we've discussed here many times, cars peaked somewhere between 1990 and 2005 in my humble, with a few years either side depending on maker.
Its not my decision to change the belt or not, i am merely collating info as best i can and getting a sensible quote from a trusted indy, i will say that if it was my car i would get it done, as said it's a one off job because unlikely she will still have the car in another 7 years.
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