Polo 1.4 cambelt - DIY job?

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Mon 19 Feb 2007 07:39
Polo 1.4 cambelt - DIY job? - csgmart
I've been quoted £85 labour plus parts for a cambelt change on my 1996 1.4 (AEX) Polo.

Is this a DIY job? I am reasonably competant with the spanners so happy to give it a go as long as there are no special tools required.

Price doesn't sound bad and I know the local garage well as my borther in law does all their tyre fitting there, however if it was a simple job then I am prepared to do it myself - cost of parts is about £65 including waterpump.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 19 Feb 2007 18:33
Polo 1.4 cambelt - DIY job? - csgmart
Anyone?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 19 Feb 2007 18:41
Polo 1.4 cambelt - DIY job? - Rattle
The hardest thing will be making sure its properly tensioned. Personally I would not risk doing it myself because if you get it wrong you may well need new valves. I know on my dads car (1.6 Escort) the Haynes manual indicates that a cambelt change is one of the most fidely jobs you can do on it. Not sure about a Polo but I guess its the same principle.

Also check with VW that the pulleys/tensioner are not required to be changed, I know on some cars you're supposed to change these as well of the belt.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 19 Feb 2007 19:42
Polo 1.4 cambelt - DIY job? - RichardW
Book time is only 1.6 hours, and no special tools required according to Autodata. Suggest you arm yourself with a Haynes and see whether you think you are up to it. Looks pretty straightforward, but bent valves are not much fun if it goes wrong!
--
RichardW

Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide