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Author Topic: Next service  (Read 1278 times)

Offline papperbear

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Next service
« on: 20 September 2004, 08:24 »

Just recovering from b'day weekend - 30 now!

My car has started to inform me that a service is due very soon, I think we're down to 900 miles left.  Does this mean that my car previously has done annual servicing rather than interval?  The mileage will be around 41,500 and will be 5 years old in November.  The guy at the VW garage recommended that I change the cambelt and tensioner when I bring the car in for a service (as it was 5 years old) - is this right?
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Offline davidhawkins_78

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Re: Next service
« Reply #1 on: 20 September 2004, 10:27 »
If you can afford it then I'd say yes go for it, especially given the possible consequences!

Normally the lifetime is measured in milage - but as with service schedules quite often it's mileage or age - which ever comes first. I couldn't say 5 years is right or wrong, but it certainly could be!

So as I said before - for peace of mind I'd do it, but I'm sure it'll cost a pretty penny, so find out the costs first.

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Offline 16v Matt

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Re: Next service
« Reply #2 on: 20 September 2004, 11:54 »
41,500 miles seems a bit low for a cam belt change to me. I've owned newer cars before & the cambelt change was always around the 60k mark. My gf's polo gti is due about 60k as well i think.   Some one correct me if i'm wrong please!

Matt
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Offline topher

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Re: Next service
« Reply #3 on: 20 September 2004, 12:02 »
This crops up time and time again. Obviously age, as well as how many times it's gone round in circles will affect the belt. I don't know who came up with the magic number of five years but I've heard it recommended at that by six different people now. Some do it, some don't.. it's your peace of mind at the end of the day.
A trickier point is the water pump, which (on mk4's at least) is usually changed along with the cambelt at around the 65k mark, because a) with the belt/tensioner off you have very easy access to the pump, so no labour is charged (just the ?20-ish for the pump) and b) the internals of the water pump have a habit of breaking up at about 70k - 80k.
Personally, I'd get the belt and tensioner, and the pump too changed as VW recommended. I'd be gutted if 5000 miles after paying for the belt I have to pay another massive labour charge to get at the water pump !

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