vw golf 1.6tdi 2011 - cambelt change - sparky100

Hi, thinking of buying secondhand golf, but no one seems to know what the interval is between changes for the cambelt and tensioner + water pump. Some say 4-years or 60000 miles, others 100000 miles and no time limit, and some say it's there for life. Surely vw should know.

Also is the dpf a real problem on this model. Is it the speed of the engine that determines a regen or temp of exhaust. Would a normal 20 mile journey to work be ok. Thanks for replies. Sparky100.

vw golf 1.6tdi 2011 - cambelt change - RobJP

There is information available on VW's website. Two minutes of searching pulled up this webpage :

www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/servicing/what-we-chec...s

A considerable amount of work is involved in changing the belts. To NOT change the tensioners, rollers and waterpump at the same time would be akin to changing your oil, but not bothering to change the filter, so you could save a bit of money.

As to the 2009-2013 Golf in general, if you go here :

www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/golf-vi-2...d

and scroll down, then you will see a terrifyingly long list of problems that people have reported, with the 1.6tdi engine and others

Still want to buy a Golf ?

vw golf 1.6tdi 2011 - cambelt change - sparky100

Hi robjp, thanks for comment. I looked at honest john's site but still no definite time or mileage just a rough recommendation.

The list of problems seem to to refer mainly to DSG gearboxes which look like a nightmare and the 1.2 and1.4 petrol engines. If you take these away from the list it becomes a lot shorter. Are 1.6tdi any worse then other makes like Ford or Peoguot. Buying a second hand car is aiways a risk,just trying to cut the odds down. Thank's.

vw golf 1.6tdi 2011 - cambelt change - elekie&a/c doctor

Lots of problems with the 1.6 tdi fitted to many Vag models.Look for something else. 60k or 4 years is the usual recommendation. A 20 mile journey in any diesel should be ok,as long as you are not standing still in traffic.

vw golf 1.6tdi 2011 - cambelt change - daveyK_UK

I jumped a taxi this week and the driver had a 13 plate Skoda Octavia 1.6 diesel with 80,000 miles on.

He said he was getting rid of it before the next plate change as 'these engines go wrong at 90,000'.

vw golf 1.6tdi 2011 - cambelt change - elekie&a/c doctor

Main issues with these are starting and running faults.Injectors are troublesome (£500 each).Also egr valves are a common failure (about£1k fitted at main dealer)and loads of engine management software updates to try and fix all this. Ford and Peugeot do not seem to suffer the same troubles (similar engines fitted to both)