CAM Belt Change...

[t20lau]

Hi Guys...

Basically I'm looking around for a GTi for a mate of mine! We've found the one he wants, but before we commit I'm looking for a couple of 2nd opinions, on when a CAM Belt Change should take place!

The car is a Aug 06 car, making it 5years old, its also done 57k! However, it looks like the CAM Belt hasnt been changed, which to me is strange as I'm pretty sure it would have been due 12months ago! Or am I reading the service manual incorrectly and the Belt doesnt need doing will 60k?! and not 4years or 60k depending on which is FIRST?...

Just wondering what everyone thinks, cause as the moment I'm not feeling too comfortable with paying £9k for a car which is going to have to go straight to the Garage for a CAM Belt!

Thanks,
Tom

[Tfsi_Mike]

I wouldve thought whichever comes 1st and had it done at 4years.   

Had mine done at 3.5yrs (6months of those not driven) and 55K

[Geoffcarragh]

It’s recommended you change at 4 years or 60k miles, which ever comes first. I did mine at 5 years and 60k. There is nothing too unusual with the car you’re looking at. I wouldn’t worry about it so long as the rest of the car is tidy and it has a good service history.

But as it is due on both mileage and age, get the seller to take the price of the belt off.

Do the water pump at the same time.

[WILLZIE]

Got mine booked in for a cambelt and waterpump change next week, its almost 4 years old and has done 48K, got to remember rubber deteriates over time, all those stops & starts, idleing, would not take the chance of it it snaping for a few hundred quid. 

[WILLZIE]

Couple of the guys here saved me a bit of cash here as my dealer wasnt part of fixed price servicing, so I made this point and got it at the price of £399....


http://www.volkswagen.co.uk/owners/servicing/fixed-price-servicing

[Tfsi_Mike]

Where you based Tom?

[t20lau]

Where you based Tom?

Sheffield Matey!

My ED30 is in Hayseldens Barnsley the moment for a Cam Belt :)

It's not quite 60k, but deffo 4years old, hence why I took it in, I'm just suprised that this GTi my mate is looking at is on 57k, and 5years old without a change! I've called the dealer, apparently, in Jan 11, it was advised for a Change, but since then completed another 10k on the clock and still not bin done!

[Tfsi_Mike]

I recently had my ca belt and water pump done dirt cheap in Doncaster by Si @ VagCo
He is a Haseldens Vw master technician.

If you give him a bell & say Mike passed you on 

Vagco
Simon Whittaker
Unit 11b Roberts Road Business park
Balby
Doncaster
DN4 OJT
tel 07985 485458
Email simon@vagco.co.uk

Definatley worth a quote, think a few people on the forum can vouch for Si and his prices.
VrSerious, Keano, Gulfstream11 & myself

Hope that helps

[Tfsi_Mike]

Just re read and seen it's already in    Doh lol

Don't know why I thought I read your booking it in

[t20lau]

Just re read and seen it's already in    Doh lol

Don't know why I thought I read your booking it in

haha...It's not a problem!

I'll probably need the details to see what he says about this Golf my mate is wanting...

[JackG]

Just my 2p's worth here and please don't take offence!

If the car he is looking at hasn't had the belt changed then I'd walk away, if the owner has been advised it needs to be done but chosen not too then I'd be worried about what else the owner has cut costs on? It's mega important part!

[crashdesk]

What does the water pump do. Sorry for being stupid. And what happens if it fails. As serious as a timing belt fail?

[Tfsi_Mike]

What does the water pump do. Sorry for being stupid. And what happens if it fails. As serious as a timing belt fail?

It pressurises and pumps coolant round your engine.

Failure usually consists of worn/broke  impellers.

It should be done at the same time as the cambelt as the cambelt needs to be removed to change it.
It is driven by the cambelt.

[marka87uk]

Sorry to kinda hijack the thread but my Ed30 has done 60k so I'll be getting the cam belt done shortly, but the service guide states 100k?

Also, I have a Revo map - is it worth telling the dealer that in case they mess around with the ECU for any reason?

[Tfsi_Mike]

Sorry to kinda hijack the thread but my Ed30 has done 60k so I'll be getting the cam belt done shortly, but the service guide states 100k?

Also, I have a Revo map - is it worth telling the dealer that in case they mess around with the ECU for any reason?

Just ask them not to flash / update your ECU