Cambelt \ Tensioners

[soulman_uk]

  all about my vw golf 1.6s 2001

Been hearing this rattling noise from the engine bay and had a look and listened for a bit it comes from around the bottom left when facing the open bonet. Thought it might just be the rubber band thing that spins around bolt but that was fine so said the mechanic whoo checked it.

Then he said it must be the cambelt and tensioners and that they would need replacing.

The noise goes after the car has been run for about 15 odd minutes after it reaches engine temp.

But now I'm wondering what to do should I have the cambelt sorted for peace of mind as I heard if its snaps while your driving it you've pretty much got an even bigger problem.

I left with the garages details and took the car home and came straight on to here to ask.

He couldn't give me a price on the work as his boss wasn't there.

So I was wondering what this kind of work would cost ? just so I know I'm not being taken for a mug.

Cheers 

[Rhyso]

well I've been quoted around £300 for my GT TDI but with yours being a 1.6 I'd expect that to come down a bit as there is less in the way to get to the cambelt etc!! And thats a stealership price.....

Did you go to a steralership or was it your local mechanic?? If its the latter then possibly sub £200...... 

[richandhazel]

Whats your mileage and when was it last done? Does sound like its associated with the timing belt, in which case you'd be well advised to get the work done sooner rather than later - you don't want a roller, tensioner or belt letting go.
Don't know if all mk4's are the same but if the water pump runs off the timing belt, that might be the culprit too.

[fireman sam]

i  had the same problem about a year ago, the bit of plastic around one of the tensioner had snapped. cost me £250 if i remember right at local vag specialist for new belt/tensioners etc. get it done asap if its this other wise if the belt snaps or comes off your engine will be knackered!

[soulman_uk]

Rhyso: I took it to my local garage.

richardandhazel: it has just under 32k on the clock I've only had the car since january. As far as I'm aware it has never been done.

When I bought the car it came with a car care plan. I dont know if the problem will be covered by the gurantee if not I'll have to stump up.
Been a bit unlucky with this car ... been a catalogue of flippin problems.

Basically you go to a garage ask if they do warranty work and if so they contact car car plan to see if they will authorise the work. If
not then am a bit stuffed as I'm pretty low on money till I get paid at the end of the month. I just spent £50 on petrol today too.

Well as soon as morning comes will see what can be done.

[soulman_uk]

Update: Taken the car to the garage this morning. The mechanic had a look.
Said it sounds as if the bearing in the alternator has broken but he said he
cant say for sure untill they strip it down. If thats not it then they said
the cambelt and tensioners but unlikely at such low mileage. The reason he
said that it gets quieter when the engines at temperature is the bearing
expands so has less room to knock against anything. So when its cold it
smaller and has  a bit more room to knock around. In his words. But he said
he didnt want to play guess the problem so said to book it in to be
diagnosed. As for my guarantee the boss frowned on it ... I gather as its
more hassle for them but was wliling to do the nescesary calling up of care
care plan once they had found the problem. So thats fair enough. If the part
isn't covered by the care plan then I don't know how much it will cost to
sort out, I asked but he wasn't sure of the part price so I stoped pestering
him. Problem was they are backed up with cars and cant get to mine till
saturday, so he said realistically I should have it back by monday or
tueasday depending on the work and availability of the part.

He did say its safe to drive if it does loose all power though then it the
alternator.

I'm pretty hesistant to drive it untill its fixed so I think its best left
parked.

So just a case of wait and see till they strip it down and look.

[richandhazel]

Alternator bearing is very easy to check. Slacken the drive belt and remove it. Start the car and if the noise is still there it can't possibly be the alternator as that is no longer being driven.

Does your water pump run off the same belt or is it running off your timing belt?

If it runs off the same belt, don't run the engine for more than a minute or so. If this is the case and the noise has dissapeared, could be water pump or alternator.

[soulman_uk]

Hey richardandhazel,

ok I got the drive belt off started the car and the sound was still there!  ... so looks like the cambelt and tensioners or possibly the water pump as you say.

"Does your water pump run off the same belt or is it running off your timing belt?" I have no idea what the water pump is run off  :embarassed: I dont see the belt connected to anything else so as a guess I would say no.

I read waterpumps are common to fail.

the drama goes on.

[soulman_uk]

If it is the cambelt how much damage can it do if I have driven the car. As I drove it to the garage and back today rougly 11 off miles there and back and have to get it there again on saturday for them to start sorting it out.

....so if its the cambelt what damage could it have done to anything else 

[Rhyso]

if your cambelt fails mate you'll know instantly cos your engine will cut out.

if the cambelt fails it can cause massive damage to the internals  and then you are looking at a very big repair bill  as it will bend your valves in a big way 

you should be fine to drive it back to the garage on saturday though  just don't drive it until then!!