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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Pimpster on 21 May 2003, 21:36

Title: Cambelt Change
Post by: Pimpster on 21 May 2003, 21:36

Can anyone tell me when the cambelt change is due on a Mk3 1997 8v Gti?

its done 64,000 miles but i heard its not due to 80,000. Not sure but i dont fancy waiting around till it goes bang.  

Title: Re: Cambelt Change
Post by: sherbert on 22 May 2003, 03:27

You should change every 60,000. So depending on when it was last done. Book it in accordingly ;)

Title: Re: Cambelt Change
Post by: Pimpster on 22 May 2003, 18:15

Cheers for the response.

Whilst waiting for a response on here Breeze VW in Poole got back to me - they reckon its 80k miles before a change is needed. strange.

Title: Re: Cambelt Change
Post by: mo3000 on 22 May 2003, 20:36

If you are doing it yourself,

Change every 40k or so. Its not a big job, the belt costs about a tenner, but the cost of valves hitting pistons tends to make people upset.

80k seems a bit late for a belt change, it normally 60k or 5 years, (the rubber goes hard and cracks).

Title: Re: Cambelt Change
Post by: Pimpster on 22 May 2003, 20:52

what shall i do?!  VW say 80k. general thought is 60k (which i tend to agree with a lot more).

I'm a bit c**p at DIY work so i'll probably get it booked in by an independent garage asap (no point in waiting) and get it done now.

better safe than sorry......

Title: Re: Cambelt Change
Post by: rossjames on 23 May 2003, 12:48

Just had mine done at 60k was the first thing I  had done when I bought the car. Cost ?53 all in, most of which was labour.

Title: Re: Cambelt Change
Post by: Pimpster on 23 May 2003, 15:57

i take it thats from an independent?

Title: Re: Cambelt Change
Post by: rossjames on 23 May 2003, 16:04

Yes, local garage. I haven't bought a Haynes Manual yet but it must be an easy job (time wise) for my last car (106) it cost nearly ?100 to get it changed and the belt was only ?12 of that.

Title: Re: Cambelt Change
Post by: Pimpster on 23 May 2003, 17:01

I'm definitely going to get it done by an independent.

I reckon that if a belt cost ?12 but the labour accounts for near on ?100 then it must be a fairly time consuming job. and i'll probably stuff it up!

Title: Re: Cambelt Change
Post by: 8vGTI on 23 May 2003, 17:02

As I understood it VW dont generally specify a cambelt change timescale like most car manufacturers, as I am sure I read somewhere it should be checked every service for condition. I had mine done on about 75K and I wouldnt have wanted to leave it any longer. The Haynes manual does say (I think about 40k and or 3 years) so it is better to be safe than sorry. I paid ?110 for mine to be changed at an independant specialist and that was for the belt and idler pulley/tensioner that should be replaced at the same time.

Title: Re: Cambelt Change
Post by: Kingy on 29 May 2003, 22:17

:o my advice would be to get it done.

When i bought my golf a year ago it had done about 61k miles and one day a few thousand miles later the cambelt broke.

I was stopped at a junction, the second my foot touched the A. pedal to go, it broke. I was Damn lucky i was not on the move cos i was out ragin' it.

VW had to check the insides of my engine to see if it was knackered, turned out the belt had shed a load of teeth, and it all cost ?250 to have a ?70+ job done that should have been done before i even owend my mowta! :'(

Dont wanna scare ya, but i would change it, you need to get it done anyway, next time i'm gonna change on 40k.

My VW garage said they change between 50k/60k if its any help?

Title: Re: Cambelt Change
Post by: Pimpster on 30 May 2003, 14:50

yeah cheers for that. once again a serious question of misinformation by the stealership!

its booked in to be done by an independent in 2 weeks!

better safe than sorry.... :)

Title: Re: Cambelt Change
Post by: Brin on 03 June 2003, 23:52

If your changing the belt always do the tensioner as its this that will probably seize before the belt gives up.......Just done mine at 64k belt looked ok but tensioner was worn.......cost ?120 all in at independent garage

Title: Re:Cambelt Change
Post by: ch33ky_monk3y on 03 July 2003, 23:49

I just replaced mine at 43k. Took good advice from VW mechanic friends. It's not just mileage, but age as well. Mine is a 96P and indeed the rubber was starting to crack even though the belt was not worn.

I've only had my car for a week and now I have peace of mind.

Title: Re:Cambelt Change
Post by: Pimpster on 04 July 2003, 08:40

Well i finally got it done!

It cost me ?85 by an independent. Overall really chuffed because i swear the engines stronger but i think thats just all in my head........... ;)

Title: Re:Cambelt Change
Post by: Omar on 09 July 2003, 17:31

Hello all,

does the above info apply for the 16V??.....mines on 110,000 miles and still going strong so I'd like to keep it that way.

When are the cambelt intervals for the 16V??


Thankyou!!   :)

Title: Re:Cambelt Change
Post by: Pimpster on 09 July 2003, 19:37

Not sure, but i would definitely get it done. i feel very relieved i did and i swear the engine is stronger(!!!).

I would think a 16v engine has higher potential wear as the 8v's are fairly easy on technology.

take the cambelt cover off (2 clips - v.easy) and have a look. At 110k miles i bet it looks a 'little thin'.