cam-belt age

[graham]

  I know that Golf cambelts should last for at least 40,000 miles, but what about time. MY GOLF GTI is 5years old and has only covered 16,000 miles, will my cam-belt still be good for 40,000 miles or will it detiorate with age? Any one had a cam-belt last a long time on a low mileage car?

[jte]

Cambelts are mainly made from rubber and therefore will not last for ever regardless of usage.  Personally i'd be a bit nervous if i had a cambelt much over 5 years old.

Compared to the cost of repairing the damaged caused by a snapped cambelt to the price of changing it i would have it changed soon.

Should cost less than ?200 and will give you total piece of mind.

[Veedubgt18v]

will take you a morning and less than 50 sheets if you do it yourself.........

get the tool for the tensioner it makes it easier, i think the interval is 40,000 miles or 3 years, but i wouldnt have one on there that long on a low miler cos where the belt is still it can become stiff and brittle, not good when going round and round!

[Speedydub]

Compared to the cost of repairing the damaged caused by a snapped cambelt to the price of changing it i would have it changed soon.

Yes, the last thing you would want is to spend 3x what your car is worth on getting it fixed!!!  

Dubs