Hi All,

 

My Dads car is running rough to say the least. She idles at about 900rpm but will dip to around 800rpm every 30s or so. Anyway I've just notice that the Cam belt was last change at 57k and there is now 137k on the clock, and that there is a generic MAF fitted :0

 

Can a Cam belt go out of timing? even slightly? She is blowing a small bit of blue smoke in 1st gear as well!

 

Ne help appreciated

Belts do stretch over time so if the tensioner is unable to take up the slack due to excessive stretching that would affect the timing on the engine

After that mileage I'd suspect the belt to be not only stretched, but also worn narrower, and stretchy (meaning that its length may not be constant over time, say 30s or so, resulting in timing variations). It's his money, but I think the car is still worth more than the £400 or so a new belt kit and water pump will cost fitted by a good independant.

had my belt and water pump changed about a month ago and it only cost me £250 including labour - car running a lot better since it was done too 

What car is it harpoon?

What car is it harpoon?

She is a 2000 Octavia 1.6 AKL

"she"  

had my belt and water pump changed about a month ago and it only cost me £250 including labour - car running a lot better since it was done too 

 

 

wow that is cheap!! I paid much more than that

 

 

and that there is a generic MAF fitted :0

 

Generic MAF's don't work! I just sent mine back for a full refund. Tried to save a few pennies but it ran like crud. Had issues starting after a day or two sitting. Wasn't very smooth when warming up and felt sluggish and guzzled gas.

Just fitted an original Bosch and runs like new now!

"she"  

The sister of the first Roman Emperor. lol

80k odd on a belt is a lot of miles to rack up.... id say stretched, worn teeth could easily have slipped....

 

and the MAF - ive not had any issues with my cars, but.... i know from the amount of posts -

if its goosed go oem only!

 

as an aside my cambelt and water pump was done a week ago - cost about 400e - £320 ish at today exchange rate,

that was main dealer, so 250 is pretty good value!!!!

Edited 23 August, 201411 yr by mac11irl

 

and the MAF - ive not had any issues with my cars, but.... i know from the amount of posts -

if its goosed go oem only!

yep learnt my lesson this month. Just sent the aftermarket MAF back for a full refund!!

Original Bosch from GSF parts purchased and installed last week. So far working brilliantly. Wasted time and return shipping costs on a non OEM part!

I had the bushes on the alternator changed about a month back. I lost the stored radio stations on the stereo the other day but just thought it was a bit odd. Could a failing alternator be causing a rough idle??

yes it can and will....I had this problem.The idle was dropping at every red light stop,every time I was releasing the gas pedal when parking.

I noticed on VCDS the voltage was dropping too ...so I replaced the chineese voltage regulator on my alternator with bosch (made in mexic )) and it runs fine now.at

 

This engine is sensible at voltage supply

I just checked my Dads car, the Skoda, and my car, a VW Golf MK4 w/ a voltmeter, just for a comparison, here are the readings:-

 

                    Skoda                Golf

Battery         12.4v                12,5v

Idling            14.55                14.4

Underload    14,2                  14,33

 

FYI, I changed the voltage regulator on both cars abut two-months ago. 

 

Any thoughts??