Got a 1996 Golf GTI 2.0 with 30000 miles. Still on original timing belt. Should I have it changed? VW interval is 60000 I think.
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Yes- get it changed straight away. The belt is six years old. The rubber in the belt could have degraded significantly in this time, particularly if any oil as leaked onto it, or it has not been at the correct tension for all of its life. If it fails the repair bill will be many times that to have it changed. I think in the VW service schedual it states 60k miles or so many years (i cant remember the figure for the mk.3)- which ever comes first.
Ben
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Remove the cover and check the belt. If all is ok then change it by the time it reaches 40000 miles.
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Remove the cover and check the belt. If all is ok then change it by the time it reaches 40000 miles.
It is impossible to assess belt condidtion mearly by looking at it. Is it worth trashing an engine for the price of a new belt and approx 1 hours labour charge? Change at 40,000 or 3 yrs, whichever comes sooner.
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Absolute rubbish. Check the belt all the way round by turning the engine over. check for any signs of cracks amd for wear on the teeth,and check the tension. These belts are very reliable and do not just break when in good condition. If you check the belt thoroughly it is VERY easy to see if it is worn.
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Absolute rubbish.
cos - if I've read things right, you have only been in this forum a couple of days, I think?
Just a suggestion - if you want to disagree with someone here, which of course is your absolute right, it might be more diplomatic and less likely to cause friction if you just said 'I disagree' rather than trashing a long-standing and valued contributor's opinion as 'absolute rubbish'!
HF
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And taking HF's suggestion will stop you annoying me or writing about Pink Furry Dice.
M.
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a long-standing and valued contributor's opinion
Cheque in post HF :o)
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>> a long-standing and valued contributor's opinion Cheque in post HF :o)
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Haha I knew I'd make my fortune somehow!!!!
:)
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Absolute rubbish.
Er, that's what I thought of your suggestion actually, but didn't want to appear as rude as you.
These belts are very reliable
The only way a Cambelt is reliable is to change it just before, or at the specified interval.
If you check the belt thoroughly it is VERY easy to see if it is worn.
Yeah, right. I suppose you can also assess the condition of the belt tensioner just by looking at it? Are you living in cloud cuckoo land by chance?
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Have you ever changed a belt? I've changed many and what i said is true. BUT you are correct in suggesting the tensioner/water pump can be prone to failure.
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Have you ever changed a belt? I've changed many and what i said is true. BUT you are correct in suggesting the tensioner/water pump can be prone to failure.
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Cos - you are in a forum of motoring enthusiasts/experts. Perhaps you are one too, I do not know. I am no expert myself. But it is not going to endear you to anyone here by casting aspersions upon anyone here that is a known and respected car expert and long-time contributor here.
This really is a fantastic site to come to, for discussing anything motoring-related whether or not you are an expert.
To come here as a new member and start casting aspersions upon other members' knowledge is probably not the best way to endear yourself to a community that is always open to new ideas and people, is always ready to listen to new opinions, but that does not want the forum to become a place where old or new members are subjected to any form of abuse, whether that be the type of sarcasm which you are devoting to Dynamic, or anything else.
Dynamic, m'dear, not wanting to be seen as getting embroiled in an argument here, which I'm not, just feel that people coming here should respect the people who have been here a lot longer, and should write their posts as such.
HF
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just feel that people coming here should respect the people who have been here a lot longer, and should write their posts as such.
Don't worry HF. Being a subscriber to many newsgroups on UseNet over the past 4 yrs, its something you tend to get used to.
The way I look at it is if we all had the same personality; life would be too predictable and boring. Plus its a lot safer for people to insult one another sitting behind the safety of a keyboard & monitor, rather than doing it face to face :o)
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I am no expert myself.
ps, neither am I, HF.
All my knowledge is either self taught, or from personal experience - which could probably sum up most other people in this forum as well.
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Just to add. Can you tell if a belt is worn? are you suggesting that a belt wearing inside and not all the way through? A worn belt will have cracks in it if you look close enough. If the belt has stretched you will be able to see worn teeth.
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Have you ever changed a belt?
Yes, not on VW's, but on several Vauxhalls.
I've changed many and what i said is true.
Each of us is entitled to our opinion without being rude about it.
Can you tell if a belt is worn?
Not unless you take it off and inspect carefully by means of flexing it in all different directions. And if you've gone to the trouble of removing it to inspect carefully, you may as well fit a new one - which costs <£20.
As asked earlier, for the sake of a new belt and 1 hrs labour (or thereabouts), is it really worth risking damaging your engine?
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Guys,
Take it from someone who earns a living from these decisions and has a "black museum" of removed belts close to failure...
If you are putting your reputation on the line it is far too risky to rely on a visual inspection in-situ. Often the crack in a belt will start on the inside and at the root of a tooth. These faults can often only be seen when the belt is removed and turned inside out/twisted.
Also the tensioner point is totally valid. You cannot judge a tensioner bearing, or water pump where belt driven, unless the belt is removed.
Sorry to say cos a customer has just forked out nearly a grand for a destroyed 16V head after taking your line of "leave it and see".
MM
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as its afree for all let me but in .cos did not say leave it and see he said inspect the belt carefully and satisfy yourself that the belt is ok before the schedulled change mileage as specified by the manufacturer. bring back the timming chain.
chris
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3 years/ 36000 miles maximum regardless.....
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Andrew:
I know you say regardless, but...
HJ reckons Ford Zetec E is OK to the Ford recommended intervals. What do you think? Have you seen failures?
I'm not trying to start an argument, I'm just interested because I own a Jun 99 Mondeo with approaching 50 k miles and was wondering whether to change it or leave it until 100k/5yrs (or is it 80k?)as recommended.
Thanks in advance
Andy
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OK lets start again Dave. The chap at the top of this thread asked if his 6 year old golf with 30000 miles needed a new cambelt. Personally i would of asked the dealer to change the belt when i bought it(assumming dealer supplied). If not i would stick to the 40000 mile change(as most manuals state). It is of my personal opinion that what you said could make people panick that their engine may blow up. What i suggested was sensible, have the belt thoroughly checked by a main dealer (if you can't yourself) because 30000 miles is a short life for a cambelt. If you look at any VW handbook it will tell you the interval is 60000 miles(not years) so changing at 40000 miles is totally adequate. Not everyone can afford to get a belt change done, when it can be easily be checked by a qualified person so what you said was in my opinion wrong and could worry a lot of people unnessarily. This is why i may have been a little rude. I wish to give solid advise based on PRACTICAL experience not on what i've read in the haynes manual. Oh and by the way you can check the condition of a tensioner, make sure the retaining bolt is tight and make sure the tensioner spins freely. I no longer wish to argue and if anyone has any questions regarding mk2 or mk3 golfs i will be glad to answer.
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