Simon,

Have owned the vehicle from new. 1st belt at 40,000 m (VW recommended interval) , 2nd at 80,000 m. then third at 130,000 m, and 4th at 180,000 m. I am now on 235,000, so looking to go to 60,000 m on my current belt.

659, thanks for your informative comments. I confirm I have the external hydraulic tensioner. Think I'll go for the Contitech kit, and add the stud and a new water pump from VW.

I plan to do the work when the good weather arrives.....

Yes I will be replacing the tensioner, although mine is the original. So will be bringing the job forward just in case belt is overslack.

Water pump was renewed with a VW item at 130,000 m. Although I've not had any issue with 2 plastic impellers so far, I will fit a metal version this time.

The 4 off crank pulley bolts! Shortly after buying the vehicle I invested in a VW Erwin(?) on line workshop manual subscription. This mandates you renew these bolts. It has always amused me that VW main dealers would have the timing belt kits in stock, but never these bolts. My conclusion was that if you got your Timing belt changed by a VW main dealer, you would drive away with the old bolts installed.

Alternator Freewheel pulley failed at 177,000m. But worth a check all the same.

Yes, it does run nicely. I think my interest is now to see how long PD injectors can last.

Thanks

Simply because in my view, VAG Milton Keynes have made a cash cow from shortening the belt change intervals. This has been discussed many times, but the 4 year 40k miles rule is at variance with the recommendations printed in the service book supplied with the vehicle, and applies as far as I know to the UK only.

Identical PD engines sold elsewhere including the USA have a belt change interval of 80 or 100k miles with no time stipulation. The Americans would not stand for any less, and would be unlikely to be influenced by an importer providing information contrary to that already given - and coincidentally much to their advantage. They're not so soft as to be taken in by the "fear factor".

Politics and VAG-bashing aside, I've seen enough of these (now old) engines to gauge their component longevity. In my view, the printed information in the service book is reasonable. All timing drive components with the possible exception of the small roller I have found to be good for at least 80k miles. I change all drive components at about 60 - 70k miles simply because at most, this gives just one more belt change over the (very long) life of this engine.

A drive failure is expensive.

659.

Given good fuel system maintenance with high quality filters, the Bosch injectors last almost indefinitely (although the wiring loom doesn't). I have found injection deviation quantities to be in spec on an engine with 330k miles of running. Later engines have less good injectors...

Edited by 659FBE on 14/02/2014 at 22:20