Would you change the belt? VW Golf

Nonoperational

I have a GTi that's now coming up to 4 years since the belt was changed. As far as I remember VW changed the interval to mileage or 4 years whichever comes first. The interval in the service book is 180k km and the main dealer says it's fine till 180k. Only had it serviced recently.

I've only done about 60k km on this belt.

Should I get it changed? It seems very little mileage to be getting it done.

ARGINITE

Nonoperational wrote: »

or 4 years whichever comes first.

It says this for a reason, belts perish with time regardless of mileage.

Nonoperational

Ya, but it seems excessive?

What are other GTi owners doing? George?

Whats the car worth?

You won't see a belt perish after 4 years, unless it gets contaminated.

Nonoperational

Car's worth 6-7 k I suppose. It's kept garaged all year, never seen frost.

I'm leaning towards leaving it another year, do it at 5 years.

djimi

Its a couple of hundred quids worth of work to prevent a couple of grands worth of damage. If in any doubt whatsoever then its a no brainer.

Nonoperational

True, I'm not even certain the interval was changed to 4 years I think I saw it somewhere.

In the next few months it needs pads, discs, front bushings, and 4 tyres. That's €1k+ there already.

ARGINITE

A rebuild due to a snapped belt would easily top €1K.

Nonoperational

ARGINITE wrote: »

A rebuild due to a snapped belt would easily top €1K.

Yep I know, but has anyone, ever, seen a GTi snap a belt after 4 years and 60k km?


When I asked the main dealer about changing it he looked baffled.

ARGINITE

The stats are probably on your side, bring it to a garage and have a mechanic look at the belt.

Jimdagym

I am a fan of the timing belt lottery game, but I am fully aware of what I am doing.
You seem to be waiting for someone to tell you its grand OP.
You should be doing it now. Whether or not you do is up to you.

George Dalton

4 years is too conservative on these in my opinion. I have changed loads at 4 years and the belt is still perfect. You should be safe to leave it for at least another year.

ARGINITE

ARGINITE wrote: »

The stats are probably on your side, bring it to a garage and have a mechanic look at the belt.

What will a mechanic looking at the belt achieve?
SFA

Nonoperational

Jimdagym wrote: »

I am a fan of the timing belt lottery game, but I am fully aware of what I am doing.
You seem to be waiting for someone to tell you its grand OP.
You should be doing it now. Whether or not you do is up to you.

Ah no, I know my way around a car alright, I was more looking for experience of people with GTi's etc and how long they leave them etc. Pretty sure it's fine for at least another year.

George Dalton wrote: »

4 years is too conservative on these in my opinion. I have changed loads at 4 years and the belt is still perfect. You should be safe to leave it for at least another year.

Cheers George. I'll be up to you during the Summer for some other work, you've worked on the car before. I'll give you a phone beforehand anyway.

dh0011

when in doubt change the belt

Nonoperational

I'm not in doubt to be honest.

dh0011

if your happy then stick with it

Nonoperational

If I come back in a few months with a snapped belt everyone can say I told you so!

dh0011

To be honest you will probably be grand. There is always a chance it could snap but you would be unlucky if it happens.

valerossi

If it breaks your up the proverbial creek lad. Change it plus you need to change water pump and tensioner at the same time.

georgefalls

If you leave it for a year, you'll be driving for a whole year with that nagging doubt in the back of your mind.

If it were me. I'd change it now. To each their own I suppose.