Cambelt changed today!

[Squeeguk]

Well with the car just turning 4 on the 1st I thought it best to change the cambelt according to VW's recommedations even though Audi recommend 5 years on the same engine???? Keep in mind my car has just clocked up 13 000 miles.

Just went to pick it up. They left all the 'old' parts in the boot in a box as requested excepting the water pump as that is on an exchange basis. One thing they did not leave in the box is the engine mount bolts, seems they re-used the old ones looking at them. See how that goes.

Looking at the belt, tensioner and rollers, they are all in excellent condition. No cracks or signs of perishing on the belt, the tensioner and roller looks like they just been taken out the box. Not too impressed to be honest as there seems to be loads of life left in the components replaced. I know peace of mind and all that, but surely they would be better off inspecting the parts first before changing perfectly good parts? I reckon they could have easily made 5 years if not more.

What do you guys think? Are VW just being too safe or just wanting to make more money?

[reflex11]

to be totally honest, I think it's a money thing, im in the mist of having my cambelt done, just waiting for the parts to come for my 2005 mk5 gti 68k miles covered.. so they do last, even in the gti manual is says somthing like 120k I think

[Gene Hunt]

Well with the car just turning 4 on the 1st I thought it best to change the cambelt according to VW's recommedations even though Audi recommend 5 years on the same engine???? Keep in mind my car has just clocked up 13 000 miles.

Just went to pick it up. They left all the 'old' parts in the boot in a box as requested excepting the water pump as that is on an exchange basis. One thing they did not leave in the box is the engine mount bolts, seems they re-used the old ones looking at them. See how that goes.

Looking at the belt, tensioner and rollers, they are all in excellent condition. No cracks or signs of perishing on the belt, the tensioner and roller looks like they just been taken out the box. Not too impressed to be honest as there seems to be loads of life left in the components replaced. I know peace of mind and all that, but surely they would be better off inspecting the parts first before changing perfectly good parts? I reckon they could have easily made 5 years if not more.

What do you guys think? Are VW just being too safe or just wanting to make more money?

.............same as you,had it done on Sturday on my 08 ED30. 26000 Miles on the clock & inspected parts like you & mine were the same,like new.

[Tamiyoman]

My 08 ED30 is being done early april (due in mid may), doing it early so I can get it re-mapped stage 1 soon after, its a peace of mind thing, bottom line is whether its due now or in 5 years your still paying for it at some point, safety 1st where engines are concerned as they are expensive to fix is a belt did fail 

[LouCyffer]

One thing they did not leave in the box is the engine mount bolts, seems they re-used the old ones looking at them. See how that goes.

Er, that's not good. There have been instances of these bolts snapping after being reused. I read just such a thread on here within the last month. The VW maintainance instructions state that these bolts should be replaced, not reused. It isn't a likely occurence, but if it does happen, there's a hell of a lot of damage. And it isn't easy to point the finger at a reused bolt.

Have a good read of http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,30138.0.html

Then, if I were you, I'd be back to the dealer & tell them to fit new engine mount bolts.

[Kregiel]

those should be replaced, that's in the VW manual, I wouldn't ever come back to this dealer to be frank!

[Tamiyoman]

One thing they did not leave in the box is the engine mount bolts, seems they re-used the old ones looking at them. See how that goes.

Er, that's not good. There have been instances of these bolts snapping after being reused. I read just such a thread on here within the last month. The VW maintainance instructions state that these bolts should be replaced, not reused. It isn't a likely occurence, but if it does happen, there's a hell of a lot of damage. And it isn't easy to point the finger at a reused bolt.

Have a good read of http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,30138.0.html

Then, if I were you, I'd be back to the dealer & tell them to fit new engine mount bolts.

100% good advice here, my car is going to VW for Cambelt and Waterpump and they have been advised that I will be requiring Belt, Rollers, tensioner, waterpump and the 3 bolts changing so they know and will have all the parts for it.

[Squeeguk]

I did make a mention of it this morning when dropping the car off and they said all would be replaced. When I called back this afternoon, they reckon those bolts are re-used and do not need replacing. Where to from here? I mean if it's in the VW workshop manual and it's a common thing for MD's not to replace them, how do you argue against if that's the MD's policy? They will probably want to charge me more now to do those bolts.

[Tamiyoman]

I say go back to them and quote "The VW maintainance instructions state that these bolts should be replaced, not reused"

[LouCyffer]

Start by having a quiet word with the service manager. If you get no joy, phone VW customer care & tell them. I think you'll find that if you stick to your guns, and politely point out that these bolts are specified as replacement parts as part of the cam belt/water pump kit, you'll get there.

Failing that, I'd be on to www.honestjohn.co.uk

[vRStu]

I would want the bolts replaced ASAP.

[golf nutter]

Interesting to hear about the bolts...I am looking to have mine done soon and was quoted £330 (specialist) all in for belt, water pump, tensioner etc...dont know if that included bolts but if its part of the kit then i hope so.  what sort of prices are other folk being quoted?

[vRStu]

The engine mount bolts aren't in the cam belt kit.

[Horatio]

Im having my cambelt changed next friday...i will be defo asking to see the old parts. 

[apples12]

horatio... scratch mark your old engine mount bolts and specifically ask 'oh, you'll also be changing the engine mount bolts wont you? heard loads of stories about them snapping off when they're reused'..... then see if yours resurface in the boot or back in your engine bay..