Just been advised by my local dealer that my 02 Golf GTi is due a Cambelt change. (only has 21,000 on the clock)

The manual says five years or 60,000 but having spoken to VW they say that due to a number of failures on visually inspected belts they have changed their policy to every four years.

Any one heard of this before or know if the same applies to Skoda? If so our 02 Octy vRS will also need a belt change in a month or so ! Could be an expensive few months!!

Cheers

Darren

Just been advised by my local dealer that my 02 Golf GTi is due a Cambelt change. (only has 21' date='000 on the clock)

The manual says five years or 60,000 but having spoken to VW they say that due to a number of failures on visually inspected belts they have changed their policy to every four years.

Any one heard of this before or know if the same applies to Skoda? If so our 02 Octy vRS will also need a belt change in a month or so ! Could be an expensive few months!!

Cheers

Darren[/quote']

Well, my 02 4x4 has "only" 40,000km and a couple of weeks ago it developed a strange diesel-like sound below 1500rpm. When i checked, my cambelt is almost going, and both the belt tensioner and the tensioner roller are almost finished. Right now, the car is at the shop changing all that. I guess i'll have to start checking my belts at every oil-change. :(

i say if in doubt get it changed..better safe then sorry

Joel

Yes, miles aren't the only criteria for change.

Five years is getting to the 'risk time'.

Change it, and strongly consider the tensioners, many a wrecked engine comes from the failure of tensioners.

My 4X4 has done less than 17,000 miles in 4 years. The cambelt was visually checked recently during a 20K/2year variable service and showed no obvious signs of wear.

best safe than sorry in a case like this matey

My 4X4 has done less than 17,000 miles in 4 years. The cambelt was visually checked recently during a 20K/2year variable service and showed no obvious signs of wear.

it's not just the belt, but also the tensioner and the roller. At 4 years standing the pressure from the belt, the tensioner may finaly fail from fatigue and break. And looking at the rumors that these parts are weaker than VW thought, you should probably invest in some "insurance". imho.

it's not just the belt, but also the tensioner and the roller. At 4 years standing the pressure from the belt, the tensioner may finaly fail from fatigue and break. And looking at the rumors that these parts are weaker than VW thought, you should probably invest in some "insurance". imho.

I am insured with Warranty Direct and the cambelt is covered. I haven't seen or heard yet that SkodaAuto have changed the service requirement to inspect the belt at 90,000 km, then every 30,0000 km until 180,000 km when it must be changed - but I will keep my ear to the ground. My son's Audi S3 with the 210hp 1.8T engine also has a cambelt change interval of 180,000 km unless that has been revised. The water pump is another problematic VW component which can have expensive repercussions depending on how and when it fails.

I am insured with Warranty Direct and the cambelt is covered. I haven't seen or heard yet that SkodaAuto have changed the service requirement to inspect the belt at 90,000 km, then every 30,0000 km until 180,000 km when it must be changed - but I will keep my ear to the ground. My son's Audi S3 with the 210hp 1.8T engine also has a cambelt change interval of 180,000 km unless that has been revised. The water pump is another problematic VW component which can have expensive repercussions depending on how and when it fails.

I usually prefeer not HAVING to use the insurance

My car just came back from the shop. It's running like a charm. Engine is quieter than ever and best of all, no more cambelt messing for a long time.