Golf 1.4l Petrol Timing Belt query

smcgiff

Hi Folks,

A friend (no really) bought a 05 Golf 8 months ago, hasn't done much driving and has just taken it for his first service.

As part of the service his local garage has said that the pulley was needed to be changed, and therefore the timing belt needed to be changed.

He and I were of the opinion that a Golf needed to have a timing belt and water pump changed when a new timing belt is installed.

He actually got the timing belt changed at the time he bought it 8 months ago.

So, has anyone ever heard of a pulley needing to be changed along with the timing belt and water pump in a golf?

He rang the garage he bought the car off of today, and they said they didn't think he needed to change the pulley. But, he also said he wont stand over it all the same if the timing belt goes.

What do ye think?

Peavy

Hmm i have golf mk3 1994 but i would say its the same thing only a bit older . Pulley is needed to keep the wheel straight , water pump is need to pump water into engine to keep it cool two completely seperate things . Prob trying to scam you ;/ happens a lot these days in the garages probably best of brining someone who understands cars easily aong with you next time you go there ;D

Kid Nothing

Peavy wrote: »

Prob trying to scam you ;/ happens a lot these days in the garages

Any examples of this or are you just generalising based on a few stories you've heard?

OP, If the original garage did change the timing belt when he bought it they should have changed the water pump, tensioner and pulley. They may have just changed the belt but it's not recommended, if that's the case i'd be complaining to them. If the pulley and tensioner were't changed then they could very easily have worn which could lead to the belt being strained and eventually snapping.

The question to ask is how reputable/how much do you trust either garage? Did the selling garage try con you or are the current lot trying it? In my opinion the current lads must have spotted something to make them notice this as it wouldn't be part of a general service and wouldn't be a common problem making me think they're more genuine as if they were trying a fast one there are plenty of easier things they could have suggested!

smcgiff

Thanks lads - I'll pass on the info

smcgiff

Sorry - quick question after updating friend...

If he gets the pulley changed now will he also need to get the timing belt changed also, which was only done a few months.

CarMuppet

Belt will have to come off to change pulley..... as the belt is approx euro30 it's cheap, so change it now.

You don't know what wear is on the existing belt IF there was a pulley misaligment.

Nissan doctor

Unless I've read wrong, there has been no mention of which pulley the garage says needs to be changed. Is it the tensioner pulley or the water pump pulley or the guide pulley. All of the above should have been changed when the timing belt was done previously so if one of them has gone the job wasn't done correctly by the previous garage.

Peavy

Kid Nothing wrote: »

Any examples of this or are you just generalising based on a few stories you've heard?

Ya there where few incidents in Ennis , Co.Clare usually happens with women becouse the mechanics think they dont know anything aboutcars ;/

golfbgud

Nissan doctor wrote: »

Unless I've read wrong, there has been no mention of which pulley the garage says needs to be changed. Is it the tensioner pulley or the water pump pulley or the guide pulley. All of the above should have been changed when the timing belt was done previously so if one of them has gone the job wasn't done correctly by the previous garage.

Take heed - this is good advice.