UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Hello boys !

New question today concerning our dear, and beloved Polo.

The V-Belt and it's life time.
We are (almost) agree on the life time of the cambelt (around 180000 km/210000 km) for EA211 engine.

But for the V-Belt, nothing is indicated, even in the officials's VW workshop manual. There is no indication for a dead line (time of miles/kilometers).

Mine if from factory, so 10 years and now 156000 km (96933 miles).
I have AC on my car also.

I plan to replace the V-Belt quite soon as my wife's Polo 1.2TSI 110PS SEL, is an August 2015 car, mileage at its 9th birthday will be roughly 50,000miles.

You should check the condition of this belt at service time, if it is showing any signs of cracks appearing on the micro grooves, then it is time to replace it - I'd think that the belt of your Polo should be replaced now, because if that belt does start to break up, it could end up ripping the cover of the cam belt - and that would cause big engine damage.

I'm sure that I have read that on the latest 1.0TSI EA211 engines, the plastic cam belt cover has been changed to being an alloy or steel one, I wonder why that change has been made.

replace its cheap and easy

Okey, I will see if there any minor cracks on rubber.

In this case, I will replace the belt and the tensionner also.

Being a belt that is 'exposed' (relatively), its durability will be more conditioned by the places of operation (weather, dust, etc.) than by distances or work time. I don't think a lifetime limit can be defined for this belt.

Inspecting it will take you the same time as changing it, I would replace it without further ado. (10 years and 156000 km + 10 years and 156000 km = 20 years happy )


- Offset star wrench 16mm (e.g).
- 4mm pin in case of replacing the tensioner.
- XZN 10mm. Tensioner bolt.

ciclo wrote: ↑Mon May 13, 2024 6:23 pm Being a belt that is 'exposed' (relatively), its durability will be more conditioned by the places of operation (weather, dust, etc.) than by distances or work time. I don't think a lifetime limit can be defined for this belt.

Inspecting it will take you the same time as changing it, I would replace it without further ado. (10 years and 156000 km + 10 years and 156000 km = 20 years happy )


- Offset star wrench 16mm (e.g).
- 4mm pin in case of replacing the tensioner.
- XZN 10mm. Tensioner bolt.

Is it your own picture ?

Because the tensionner seems different from the original one ?

Also I'm thinking about replacing the freewheel pulley on the alternator. This items tends to fail over time, creating a non-smooth operation on the engine (shaking engine) on the deceleration.

INA produce the INA 535 0363 10 items and GATES alos, but under the brand Litens (original equipment from VW for belt tensionner for exemple)

Yes, the image is mine, the tensioner is Original VW.
More images here: viewtopic.php?p=604140#p604140

I'm also considering to replace the freewheel pulley on alternator. It's a easy job and it could, maybe, make my engine a little be smoother.

I just remove the cap and clean the grease/oil and here it is:
Part Number is: 04E903201E

No more information available.

On internet INA and Gates (with Litens brand ????) on it, both are nice/quality brand.
But I'm not ready to pay 140 euros for the "official" one with just a VW logo on it.

EDIT: after some research, LITENS is the official supplier for our engine (at least, with the Bosch alternator).

Litens is also OEM for belt tensioners, as far as i know they have a patent or something and every kit comes with their tensioners

amer6R wrote: ↑Wed Jun 12, 2024 8:03 pm Litens is also OEM for belt tensioners, as far as i know they have a patent or something and every kit comes with their tensioners

Yes I saw the brand stamped on my V belt tensioner.

When I removed the black plastic cap cover of the freewheel pulley, it was full of mixte of water, grease etc...Not sur if it's normal. Look like a failure.