Can Belt Interval For A Golf TDI?

[gumby6371]

The dealership are telling my mother in law that her 08 plate 1.9 Golf TDI is due a cam belt, is that right after only 4 years?

They said it's due on age not mileage as the car has only done 30,000 miles.

I thought cam belt intervals were getting longer not shorter?

They already had her in 12 months ago to change the brake fluid which I thought was ridiculous but now with the cam belt as well, I think they're taking the piss out of a woman driver - any thoughts?

[steve_earwig]

I had a quick Google but I wasn't expecting much (seeing as how there's about 57 different varieties of that engine ) but I did come across this: http://bbs.scoobynet.com/showpost.php?p ... ostcount=6 and then this http://www.mytimingbelt.com/Results.aspx?ModelId=241 or is it this one? http://www.mytimingbelt.com/Results.aspx?ModelId=242

I don't think they survive belt failures either.

[Welly]

Is the VAG diesel THE most confusing range ever? There's PDi's, Common Rails, Piezo's, Pump-douche........

I was reliably informated that a 2003 1.9TDi in 130bhp form is THE best for reliable service. The new 2.0TDi's aren't supposed to be as good as the 1.9's but then the latest of the 1.9's weren't as good as the earliest

I don't know what the Cam-belt interval is but it will go an age as well as miles. Get the water pump changed 'whilst they're down there' too.

[mjb]

The dealership are telling my mother in law that her 08 plate 1.9 Golf TDI is due a cam belt, is that right after only 4 years?

They said it's due on age not mileage as the car has only done 30,000 miles.

Rubber degrades with age. 4 years is about the upper limit of a belt's age on any car. Think about the last time you saw an elastic band that was several years old - remember how it looked cracked and then disintegrated when it was touched? Same thing.

As an aside, I believe the AJM (?) engine in the Mk4 Golf TDI I had had a ridiculously short belt change interval like 35,000 miles or 3 years.

They already had her in 12 months ago to change the brake fluid which I thought was ridiculous but now with the cam belt as well, I think they're taking the piss out of a woman driver - any thoughts?

Brake fluid also degrades with age as it absorbs water from the air. You won't notice it until you're pushing the brakes hard (like driving down a big hill, especially with passengers) and the water in the fluid boils and - oops - the brakes don't work any more.

Get the water pump changed 'whilst they're down there' too.

Actually (I'd like to hear Jasper's take on this...) I think this might be a good time to not change the pump since it's only done 30k. Heck I'm not even sure you'd need to think about the idler/tensioners... Just my personal thoughts though

[Welly]

4 years is about the upper limit of a belt's age on any car

You'd be crapping yourself in my Volvo - a 10 YEAR interval most chicken out and get it done at 8 years (which is next year for me).

Apparently it's a very wide belt giving it's longevity.

[steve_earwig]

I thought ours were 10 years too (checks so he doesn't look like a fool)

The materials in these belts don't have much in common with rubber bands

[gumby6371]

thanks for the responses gents. Maybe that's why they're reliable if you fit new parts every few years they never wear out

[lozz]

80.000 miles.

or every 4 years if the Specified Mileage for replacement is not Reached.


Thats from the Book, and as recomended by Vw.

[jasper5]

The dealership are telling my mother in law that her 08 plate 1.9 Golf TDI is due a cam belt, is that right after only 4 years?

Get the water pump changed 'whilst they're down there' too.

Actually (I'd like to hear Jasper's take on this...) I think this might be a good time to not change the pump since it's only done 30k. Heck I'm not even sure you'd need to think about the idler/tensioners... Just my personal thoughts though

Yes, I would change the water pump for one with a metal impeller, however, there is a replacement pump that is made out of what looks like plastic, but is a special material that is long lasting....I had an argument with a VW fan not long ago who tried to say that the water pumps never fail

Always change the tensioner on the VW engines.

Changing the belt at 4 years with low mileage is a good thing!!

Take a look at this......http://www.myturbodiesel.com/forum/f7/w ... ller-7063/

My 407 2.0 HDi 136 is listed as replace at 10 years or 160,000 miles or 96,000 miles and 6 years for adverse conditions.

[steve_earwig]

That reads like there's a whole bunch of VW owners that don't put antifreeze in their cars

[Bailes1992]

VW engines are easy.

PD/Pump Douche or the 1.9TDi has a fuel pump which supplies the injectors with pressure. The injectors are opened by extra lobes on the cam shafts.

The 2.0TDi units are Common rail.

1.9TDi comes in 110,115, 130 and 170bhp.
2.0TDi comes in 140 and 170bhp.

Ford warrenty the timing belts for the length of time they last. Mine is 125,000miles or 10 years. I'm on 105k now, going to wait till 120k on the basis that if it fails, I won't be paying the bill!

Also brake fluid SHOULD be replaced every 2 years.

I hate VW's and Audis they are the dullest most boring pieces of plastic ever. But their diesel engines are amazingly responsive!
While my father was waiting for the deliver of his beemer we had a Jetta 1.9TDi (115) and it was a right little rocket and the accelerator felt like a petrol, little nudge and off it went. Every diesel I have driven tends to have a flat spot at the top and you have to give it a good press to make progress. I was very impressed!

[steve_earwig]

VW engines are easy.

Oh good, I can pack you along to my mate's car spares shop for all those times that VW still can't tell him which parts he needs even with the chassis number

[lozz]

VW engines are easy.

Oh good, I can pack you along to my mate's car spares shop for all those times that VW still can't tell him which parts he needs even with the chassis number

with vws ithink its just Best off just giving them the engine code off the cambelt cover,


http://www.autoshoppingcenter.com/Volks ... scode.html

[jasper5]

VW have a system for indicating the bhp of the engine.....

Chrome TDi badges on the boot, chrome with a red letter, chrome with 2 red letters, all red letters....chrome being basic, all red highest.