I need cam belt done on 16V golf

[madhaggis]

I need help regarding cam belt change on 16v Mk2 golf I am looking to buy.

engine done 90k ish, last cam belt change 30k ago.

I recon it needs a new cam belt and chain.

Its also pinking, so correct me if I am wrong, but this means it might need timing modified to run on unleaded.

I want to take it to a 16v specialist to do the work. How much will it cost, and who could you recommend in the Birmingham area?

thanks
haggis

[sportline_velly]

most 16v need to run on superunleaded (optimax or something)

i have a mate in hereford whole is very handy with cars if you are willing to travel there

[Gambit]

yes run it on optimax if you can afford to! they run best on 98RON fuel. they will run on 95RON also if you adjust the timing

chain doesnt need done till about 125k supposedly. and is a lot more work to change than just the belt

my car is getting the same done this week. timing belt, tensioner, timing chain and new lifters. was advised to do the lifters as the cams need to come out to replace the chain so best doing them also at this point

if you can hold off till tomorrow ill give you the price im getting it done at. mine is being done by 16v specialist but in Belfast

[madhaggis]

I called a VW specialists in my area and the have quoted 100quid to do the belt and tensioner so I'm gonna do that. They said the chain shouldn't need doing at present unless its noisy which it ain't. Would be interested to see how much the charge will be for the chain and lifters also, so please do post the outcome. I'll do that next time the cam belt beeds doing most likely.

They also said if the timing is set properly, a 16v should run on 95RON or 98RON without pinking on either.

Out of interest, is there a noticeable performance difference in using 98RON? Guess I'll just have to try both and see.

Any suggestions on which insurance company to go for? I'm 34 with 9yrs no claims so should be ok. As you can see by my screenname I'm from Scotland but living in Birmingham - the difference in premium seems to be quite a lot for both areas - 300quid Scotland as opposed to 450 quid Birmingham.

[bosun]

What garage are you using in Birmingham?I used to be insured with HIC on a MK3 Anniversary,and they halved the price everywhere else quoted,but have since changed to an Audi and then found Adrian Flux to be cheepest as it has a stack of mods.

[Gambit]

i used to be with HIC and then swapped to Elephant as they beat HIC, and that was everything declared - also, with Elephant, try sticking your mum or girl onto your car as a second driver. even if they dont drive it it will stick knock about 15%-20% of the premium!!!

there is a noticeable difference with the 98 over 95 RON fuel. and a properly setup late spec 16v will run both fuel types. they have a different ECU than that of the pre 89 cars

make sure you get a VAG timing belt & tensioner. at least then you have piece of mind should it go wrong!!

ill post that price once i get it!

[Gambit]

right here goes - mine is costing ?260 for everything. but that includes ?178 worth of parts!! labour would probably be a hell of a lot more but the 16v specialist is my mate!!

Parts List:-

Timing Belt
Timing Belt Tensioner
Timing Chain
16 Hydralic Cam followers - (?104+vat )
Rocker Cover Gasket

[Deefadog]

For insurance try - Brentacre - cheapest i found with everything declared, even has a 150bhp minimum limit

[madhaggis]

The garage I was quoted from was Midlands VW.

How many points do you need to have before your insurance gets screwed up? I think I got Talivanned the other day   

[free]

i can tell diff in my gti, if it has norn or optimax pet, in tank,,,feels lot gruntyer with optimax