Hi not long had this facelift mk3, just found out it has a rubber belt driving the oil pump. Is this a belt that needs to be changed at any particular mileage? Car has 89000 miles on it.

I haven't seen any reference of maintenance / replacement for this oil pump belt - I believe it is a 'For Life' item.

Clearly, failure of this belt would result in complete loss of oil pressure and any such pressure warning should be acted on by immediately shutting down the engine and arranging recovery.

I also have never seen any reference to this drive belt failing.

I know, never say never! ☹️

Sure I saw a post about a low mileage VW engine where the oil pump belt had snapped. No idea what engine it was, hence thought I would ask.

I only found out about it on Instagram, I'm planning on replacing it when I do my timing belt as the crankshaft seal is leaking so it's a while you're there job

Are you doing the crankshaft seal as an 'engine out job'?

@CianKT it would be interesting to hear a report back on old belt condition when it is replaced.

37 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

Are you doing the crankshaft seal as an 'engine out job'?

No it's an engine in job thankfully as it's effectively a plastic cover with a rubber seal in it behind the crank pulley.

34 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

@CianKT it would be interesting to hear a report back on old belt condition when it is replaced.

I'll see if I can get feedback on it as I'm not going to be doing, despite doing all my servicing I'm not comfortable doing the timing belt and it won't be until around the summer, I simply can't afford dropping around €1000. It would be interesting to see as it's currently at 320,000km (200,000 miles) and I am pretty sure it's never been done as the independent dealer i bought it off did the first timing belt change when I bought it at 140,000km. All videos I've seen have been done around the 100-150,000 mile mark. What I can say is the engine is running surprisingly smooth and responsive for the mileage so it certainly doesn't sound like the typical behaviour of a Ford or PSA car.