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looking through the history of my car there doesn't seem to be any record of a cambelt change and this is slightly worrying me. the cart has just done 74k and i am worried if it hasn't been changed that my car may soon die is there any way i can tell if it has been changed?? if not i guess it would be advisable to get it done, yes? if so how much am i looking at to have it done???

Try removing the cambelt and giving it an inspection. If your not sure what your looking for in the wear and tear then ask a local dealer or someone who knows cars.

Its pretty simple to remove i think - get a Haynes manual. Its the best thing i ever bought for my polo!

dont have a clue where to start tbh. and cant find a haynes manual for my car as the n - s reg manual does not cover the 16v

Ah crap yeah, forgot about that. Try getting a polo one from the library anyways - theres a possibilty of some similarities - although the 16v is DOHC so i guess thered be 2 cam belts? I dont know a lot about DOHCs.

helios1 wrote:Try removing the cambelt and giving it an inspection. If your not sure what your looking for in the wear and tear then ask a local dealer or someone who knows cars.

Noooooooo - don't do that if it's still intact leave well alone untill you have all the bits to replace it!!!

helios1 wrote:the 16v is DOHC so i guess thered be 2 cam belts? I dont know a lot about DOHCs.

You are right - you don't know a lot about DOHC engines

They still have one belt but it's longer to go round two cams

is it easy enough to check?? if so how can i??

][=][anson wrote:is it easy enough to check?? if so how can i??

Well you need to get enough of the timing belt cover off to enable you too look at the belt - small section and then turn the engine over by hand to look at the whole of the belt bit by bit.....

What are you looking for? Basically......

- Smooth clean edge both sides of the belt so you know it hasn't been rubbing

- All teeth present and correct

- No cracks in the rubber between the teeth

- No cracks or frays on the outside of the belt

- Belt tension correct (twist the belt in a free section should twist 90 deg any more and either tensioner is fubar or the belt is overstretched and the tensioner can't adjust anymore

BUT and it's a big BUT

- None of the above even if all perfect will save you from the belt failing

- they have a service life and once past their replacement mileage of age it is a really big risk to continue with the same belt

IF it snaps you can say goodbye to all the valves and probably the pistons too so you then will need to find a 2nd hand engine to replace it with.

Much better just to replace it and have 3 years or 60,000 miles of worry free motoring.

bstardchild wrote:Much better just to replace it and have 3 years or 60,000 miles of worry free motoring.

thats what i was thinking really.

i've phoned VW this morning and been quoted £295 inc VAT & Labour to have the belt changed. Does this seem "reasonable"??

][=][anson wrote:

bstardchild wrote:Much better just to replace it and have 3 years or 60,000 miles of worry free motoring.

thats what i was thinking really.

i've phoned VW this morning and been quoted £295 inc VAT & Labour to have the belt changed. Does this seem "reasonable"??

Hmmm depends on their labour rate - it's about 2 hrs to do - the really important thing is the tensioners - I don't know if this applies to the 16V MKIV but on a lot of cars they now replace the tensioners as well as the belt as it's often teh tensioner that breaks up and leads to the belt failing - someone with a 16V must be able to advise you

yeah that price includes the tensioners. can anyone with a 16v offer there thoughts????

][=][anson wrote:yeah that price includes the tensioners. can anyone with a 16v offer there thoughts????

rough guide

belt £15
tensior £25
my garage in london (independent) charged 2 hours labour at £100

shame i dont live in London as i'd be round in a jiffy!!! haha. i'm gunna check the local garages and see what prices i can get! cheers for the guide though

Ajit_mk2_16v wrote:rough guide

belt £15
tensior £25
my garage in london (independent) charged 2 hours labour at £100

Labour rate at a reputable independant compared to a VW garage makes a big difference

£295 inc VAT & Labour

take the VAT off = £250

Say VW parts are a tad dearer £25 and £35 for belt and tensioner respectively

leaves £190 labour or £95 per hour - sounds bout right for a dealership - damned if I'd pay it tho!!!

a lad i work withs Dad has a garage so i'll ask him on monday 4 a quote. hopefully will be a little more bank balance friendly than VW!!!!