GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: Enforcer on 29 May 2010, 15:35

Title: Cam belt
Post by: Enforcer on 29 May 2010, 15:35
Hello,

I'm on the verge of buying a Golf MK5 GTI - it's a 56 plate - and I'm hoping you kind folk can answer my question.

I had heard that the cam belts on these cars should be changed every 80k miles or 4 years. However the garage is insisting it is every 120k miles - they showed me a section in the service book which said this.

Can anybody confirm the official recommendation?

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Cam belt
Post by: Keithuk on 29 May 2010, 15:42
According to Autodata its replacement every 115,000 miles or 4 years which ever comes first.  :wink:
Title: Re: Cam belt
Post by: Upperoilcan on 29 May 2010, 15:49
Just had mine done 4yrs old and on 57000 miles....

My GF has just had her's done aswell,her car is on a 05 plate with 40000 miles.
Title: Re: Cam belt
Post by: winrya on 29 May 2010, 16:16
Hello,

I'm on the verge of buying a Golf MK5 GTI - it's a 56 plate - and I'm hoping you kind folk can answer my question.

I had heard that the cam belts on these cars should be changed every 80k miles or 4 years. However the garage is insisting it is every 120k miles - they showed me a section in the service book which said this.

Can anybody confirm the official recommendation?

Thanks in advance.

Vw have updated it to 4 years or 60k
Title: Re: Cam belt
Post by: Mikester on 29 May 2010, 18:14
Ive just bought one and its on 50k and 4.5 years old, having cambelt done now.
Title: Re: Cam belt
Post by: Enforcer on 29 May 2010, 22:01
Thanks guys.

I think I'll put it through a cambelt/waterpump/service as soon as I get the car to be on the safe side - I'll search out some independent specialist prices!

:)
Title: Re: Cam belt
Post by: nick30 on 29 May 2010, 22:40
i had mine done at 25k as it made a horrible noise. its quite common on the tfsi's.

Title: Re: Cam belt
Post by: lowdown on 30 May 2010, 10:04
I emailed VW and they said

"Our Technical Team have confirmed that the recommendation for the Timing Belt replacement is 120,000 miles or every 4 years, whichever comes first.  If the water pump was to fail at a later date the same workscope would have to be carried out as for the
replacement of the belt  and so, it can be cost effective to have the water pump replaced at the same time as the belt."
Title: Re: Cam belt
Post by: Enforcer on 30 May 2010, 10:30
I emailed VW and they said

"Our Technical Team have confirmed that the recommendation for the Timing Belt replacement is 120,000 miles or every 4 years, whichever comes first.  If the water pump was to fail at a later date the same workscope would have to be carried out as for the
replacement of the belt  and so, it can be cost effective to have the water pump replaced at the same time as the belt."


Thanks Lowdown and well done on a getting an official answer - that helps greatly :)
Title: Re: Cam belt
Post by: Davstylee on 30 May 2010, 11:44
I emailed VW and they said

"Our Technical Team have confirmed that the recommendation for the Timing Belt replacement is 120,000 miles or every 4 years, whichever comes first.  If the water pump was to fail at a later date the same workscope would have to be carried out as for the
replacement of the belt  and so, it can be cost effective to have the water pump replaced at the same time as the belt."


Is it me or does the whole 120,000 miles or 4 years seem a little weird? For most it would mean a change every 4 years, unless you do 30,000 miles a year. Isn't the average millage only 12,000 miles a year? If that is the case then you would have only done 48,000 miles. How can they on one hand say it will last 120,000 miles but then on the other only 4 years? Just seems weird to me.
Title: Re: Cam belt
Post by: lowdown on 30 May 2010, 13:22
My guess, and I stress it's only a guess.

There are two factors here time(years) and wear(miles).  I gather the cambelt system has 2 discreet components: the belt and the tensioners.  My guess is its time/age that kills the belt and wear/miles that kills the tensioner.  If either fails it's a disaster.

(My local mechanic told me it's the tensioner that tends to fail first.)
Title: Re: Cam belt
Post by: Mikester on 30 May 2010, 14:19
You also need to take into acount driving style, as if those miles are covered in high revs and taking a lot of stress its going to go earlier than if its off boost motorway miles in theory.
Title: Re: Cam belt
Post by: Colinv on 14 June 2010, 19:38
You also need to take into acount driving style, as if those miles are covered in high revs and taking a lot of stress its going to go earlier than if its off boost motorway miles in theory.

it's definitely 4years or 80k that the belts get changed at now. Vw changed it from 120k a few months ago now