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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: tobybrennan on 29 September 2010, 15:10

Title: how an earth!!
Post by: tobybrennan on 29 September 2010, 15:10

silly question to most i know

but how do i know if the cam belt needs changing
or has been done not too long back?

i've not changed it since ive had my car but i've only done 5,000 miles in it
so may have been done before

but how do i know?

Title: Re: how an earth!!
Post by: Len on 29 September 2010, 15:16

You dont!
Unless a previous owner has left a repair/service invoice saying its been done.
What mileage has it done?

Generally they should be done every 60,000 miles or 2 to 3 years max.

Title: Re: how an earth!!
Post by: tobybrennan on 29 September 2010, 15:23

my cars on 157,000

but im not sure whether its been done
can you not tell by wear and tear or whatever?

Title: Re: how an earth!!
Post by: Dubbyboy on 29 September 2010, 15:34

I would recommend that you change it, better to be safe than sorry.

Title: Re: how an earth!!
Post by: snifferdog on 29 September 2010, 15:54

Deffo would be best to change it, but if you pop the cover off and have a look to make sure theres no rips and all the teeth are intact then at least you will know if its urgent or not.

Title: Re: how an earth!!
Post by: tobybrennan on 29 September 2010, 16:14

what will happen if it snaps/break?
car just wont move?

Title: Re: how an earth!!
Post by: Len on 29 September 2010, 16:16

Yea the car wont move coz you have F**KED the engine!

Get it done!

May cost you up to £150 if its a dear garage but will save you a new engine!

Title: Re: how an earth!!
Post by: tobybrennan on 29 September 2010, 16:25

so first is to check whether the teeth are all in tact
and get it sorted :))

thanks for the help len
will get it done asap

i've replied on my other thread if you fancy helping me out there aswell :P

Title: Re: how an earth!!
Post by: MrAnderson93 on 29 September 2010, 16:25

would be alot less than 150 if you tried it yourlself, but yeah the only answer your gonna get off anyone here is that its best to change it even just for your own peace of mind and so you know where you are at with everything on the car

Title: Re: how an earth!!
Post by: tobybrennan on 29 September 2010, 16:28

how hard is it to actually do it yourself?

cus i just rang my garage and he said it'll be about £200ish maybe a few quid moree :S

Title: Re: how an earth!!
Post by: rcsammy on 29 September 2010, 17:06

not too hard, 16v is harder than 8v though

you can get a little kit which lock the cam pulleys in place which helps allot too

Title: Re: how an earth!!
Post by: Bellend on 29 September 2010, 17:38

It's a 1.6.

Therefore the waterpump is on the belt, it's a bit trickier then the 1.8/2l 8v's.

Not hard though as long as you don't mind simple spannering and mark up the belts.  :smiley:

Our 1.8 belt went two weeks after we got it and lent it to someone, no damage at all, sure it's non-interference.

The 1.6's ARE NOT non-interference and bend the exhaust valves when they go.

For the sake of 30 quid I think it was for a tensioner kit (trade) I'd definitely do it.