cambelt issues - sorted!

[Hurdy]

Isnt this one of the main reasons why they changed to the new type engine in the Mk 6. 

You are right TC. The new TSi engine has a chain drive for the cams and doesn't need servicing. The TFSi is belt driven as said.

[Boothy]

Righty! Picked the car back up without the work doing and thankfully I didn't have to argue the toss over price as he hasn't charged me a penny. I've gotta give it to the bloke really, he was so helpfull when I turned up and showed/explained exactly what the problem was.
 Basically the cambelt can have two types of cover. The oldest and stupidest one like I have is only fitted to some or all of the 2005 models and it consists of one piece covering the belt in its entirety. With this you really do have to remove the drive shafts, air con pipes etc and hoist the engine about a foot according to VW. It seems they realised how stupid they had been though and all the 2006 models onward use a two piece cam belt cover which splits in the middle meaning the cover can be removed without all the work involved with the single piece one.
 So the chap at the specialists says even the older mk5 Gti's he's done have had the two piece unit hense why he has never seen one before. What he's suggesting is ordering a new single and twin piece cover to see if they have exactly the same fittings etc. If it does he wants to remove the old one by cutting it across the middle (where the join is on the two piece), replacing the belt/pump etc and then putting the two piece on.

What does everyone reckon? Its nearly £200 pound more to go to the stealers but then there's that EXTRA peace of mind? Has anyone ever encountered the same issue?

Advice welcome.

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

Might as well go to the dealers. As you say peace of mind and all that.
Mine needs doing in May. Mines a MY06 car so hopefuly the newer type cover(s).

Dread to think the cost of this together with a year 4 time & distance service 

[Cooper]

how many miles is this service??

4 years or 60k miles is the VW recommendation.

it's actually 4 years or 120k miles now!

[golfman]

Just got the dreaded cambelt replacment letter from vw today
£249 fully fitted!!!offer only available until31st december 2009
Things always come @ the wrong time don't they realise christmas is just round the corner

[sambo]

Me and my mate who's a VW tech did a cambelt change on mine on his drive with axle stands when I got it.

As said it is a stupid design (54 plate) but not exactly rocket science especially for a mechanic. Drive shafts out, exhaust disconnected then drop engine so that it clear the left hand side of the engine bay bodywork.   

Took us 6 hours but would have been alot quicker if we had a ramp i reckon.

HTH Sam

[gillm]

interesting im doing mine in a few weeks but it will bo on a ramp thank god . just the drivers shaft out i take it ?

[Boothy]

He did say he would have done the work required but would have needed the car longer which I couldn't do. As it happens he has got back to me and confirms both the 1 and 2 piece fit so gonna get a quote for all the parts, work etc and compare it to VW's price. I could do with them sending me a letter saying they'll do it for £245!

[sixpot]

He did say he would have done the work required but would have needed the car longer which I couldn't do. As it happens he has got back to me and confirms both the 1 and 2 piece fit so gonna get a quote for all the parts, work etc and compare it to VW's price. I could do with them sending me a letter saying they'll do it for £245!

The Stealers are desperate for custom, so they will price match any garage quote within a set distance from them. ( I think it's something like a 5 mile radius) I've used this method before, to get cheap services.

[Tarmac_Terrorist]

Phoned around my 3 local VW stealers for prices for cambelt (including water pump) replacement plus 40k time & distance service with brake fluid. Basically this is my next service. The cheapest price was £746 (VW in Winchester) and the dearest was £915 (Ridgeway in Newbury) 

Annoying as the car has only done 7,000 miles from new! Guess they don't call them stealers for nowt!!

Best get saving   

[TomB]

Didn't know about the 1 piece timing cover, I will have to check on ETKA to see if mine has that!

My local dealer offered its cambelt change for £299 in the paper early this year, and put *Excluding V6s, valid til December 31st".  I cut out the page and I've kept it as evidence just in case.  That may have been the best idea I've had all year.  £700+?  No chance!

[Boothy]

Sounds like the dealers might be an option then if i can talk them into doing it at the right price. That price match sounds very interesting so i'll give it a shot!

[TomB]

Search for VW Price Match Promise on here and the link to VWs website comes up.  Follow their rules and look forward to cheap servicing :)

[Boothy]

I can't believe I didn't know about that !! Cheers TomB

[sambo]

interesting im doing mine in a few weeks but it will bo on a ramp thank god . just the drivers shaft out i take it ?

Hi mate,

I think we tried just the drivers side, but when we dropped the engine on a trolley jack we realised we were gonna put a lot of strain on the N/S shaft so raised it back up and took it off. There on flanges (not ure if thats the correct term) anyway so it's no bother and no loss of oil ETC.

The engine has to drop a good 5-6 inches from memory so that the left hand side engine mount can be taken out clear of the bodywork to remove the cambelt cover (which it goes through)

May work out differantly with a ramp though 
HTH Sam