mk3 cam belt

[jte]

Educated estimates:

At VW dealer ?200-?250 ish

Indendant ?150

Wherever you have it done, make sure genuine parts are used!  If you use an independant you might as well buy the belt and tensioner yourself, just for piece of mind.  If you're cherged much more than 2 hours labour, someone's having a laugh.

If money isn't a problem i'd get it done, just to put my mind at rest, if cash is tight take it to a local garage or two and ask for their opinion.

Just out of interest, what is the rest of the service history like?  When was the last oil change?  Without meaning to sound condescending, have you checked the oil level?  Just thinking of other reasons for rough sounding.

[gibby]

I was thinking that too jte. Are you sure it's the cambelt that is causing the car to sound rough ? 

[8vgti]

Had the cambelt done twice since I have owned my mk3 for the last 3 years (do a lot of work miles). First change I had done at about 75k and that was done at an independant in Gloucester for about ?115 for the belt and tensioner. Had it done again at the last service (only done 40k, but easier to get done in one go whilst car being serviced as it is some distance from work), and this was only about ?70......also had car serviced and mot'd for a total of about ?160ish....bargain I thought!!!

VW stealer would want at least ?200+ for a cambelt

[mysticman aka polypathetic]

rest of the history is gleaming with little stars all vw servicing bar a last service which was at 88k so I've done a quick service myself plugs oil dist cap rotar arm oil filter got a service kit from gtibits.co.uk so all done but and this is a big but... i was on my merry way home tonight and decided to overtake some girly in her escort so i put my foot down a bit well alot and i could hear what sounded like a manifold blow... kind of a farting noise coming from the engine
when i got home i checked all engine air pipes they all check OK  but couldn't feel anything coming from the manifold as its hidden behind a stupidly designed engine bay
so my next course of action is to get that checked as i would think a manifold blow would cause all sorts of problems i.e reduced power lumpiness
what do you reckon chaps

[mysticman aka polypathetic]

well i'll be getting it all done just to be safe dont really want to have to run in a new engine it takes ages