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Timing belt change on Mark 4 Golf

  • 24-01-2008 12:01pm
    #1
    rocco
    Registered Users Posts: 310 ✭✭


    Quick Question I have a mark 4 GTI golf . My question is does anybody know exactly when the belt should be changed. I have a full service history with the car and it hasnt been done as far as I can see . I rang the VW garage up that most of the services had been done at and they said it doesent have to be done till 120,000 miles ?? Is this correct currently the car has 84,000.

    Cheers


Comments

  • #2
    Melion
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 10,259 ✭✭✭✭Melion


    Should be done every 60k according to the VW dealer that i bought my MkIV Golf from


  • #3
    Beanmachine
    Registered Users Posts: 499 ✭✭Beanmachine


    yeah my mark iv's belt was chnaged at 60k i think thats the norm anyway.


  • #4
    LarWright
    Registered Users Posts: 256 ✭✭LarWright


    rocco wrote: »
    I rang the VW garage up that most of the services had been done at and they said it doesent have to be done till 120,000 miles ?? Is this correct currently the car has 84,000.

    Cheers


    I wouldn't let it get anywhere near 120,000 before a change. I had a 2001 Astra with 74,000 and the belt went on me... Put it this way, It wasn't pretty!!

    Cost a shed load to get fixed... 13 of the 16 valves were busted. I was lucky the pistons didn't launch out through the cylinder head!!!!

    Cost over 2500 euro to get the car back on the road.... New cylinder head, valves, 1 piston, head gasket, and 2 weeks off the road....

    For the sake of a few hundred quid, get it done now!


  • #5
    PauloMN
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional North East Moderators Posts: 10,857 Mod ✭✭✭✭PauloMN


    It is confusing as your manual probably says 120k miles also. I'm just about to get mine done on my A4 (same engine as yours) and I'm at just over 60k miles.

    I checked the manual and it says it should be replaced at 120k miles in the 1.8T.

    Agree with the above though, no way would I let it go that long without a change.


  • #6
    Healyc
    Closed Accounts Posts: 198 ✭✭Healyc


    Volkswagen Recommend:
    Check at the first 60,000mls and then every 20,000mls (replace if necessary)
    Replacement every 120,000mls (tensioner pulley must also be replaced)

    Note: VW UK recommend the timing belt is replaced every 4 years if the replacement mileage is not reached.

    Just took this out of a VW service guide

    Hope this helps
    Healyc :D


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  • #7
    Neilw
    Registered Users Posts: 3,777 ✭✭✭Neilw


    Healyc wrote: »
    Volkswagen Recommend:
    Check at the first 60,000mls and then every 20,000mls (replace if necessary)
    Replacement every 120,000mls (tensioner pulley must also be replaced)

    Note: VW UK recommend the timing belt is replaced every 4 years if the replacement mileage is not reached.

    Just took this out of a VW service guide

    Hope this helps
    Healyc :D

    There is no way of knowing when a belt is going to break or slip just by looking at it, I also think vw have revised when the t-belt should be changed to 60k miles or 4 years.

    Don't forget to change the water pump, and use a water pump with a metal impeller as the plastic one becomes brittle and falls apart.

    I got my parts from here http://www.dieselgeek.com/servlet/Detail?no=278

    Neil.


  • #8
    crosstownk
    Registered Users Posts: 12,863 ✭✭✭✭crosstownk


    Don't take a chance - replace the belt at 60k.
    Untitled Image




  • #9
    Earth Worm Jim
    Closed Accounts Posts: 251 ✭✭Earth Worm Jim


    rocco wrote: »
    Quick Question I have a mark 4 GTI golf . My question is does anybody know exactly when the belt should be changed. I have a full service history with the car and it hasnt been done as far as I can see . I rang the VW garage up that most of the services had been done at and they said it doesent have to be done till 120,000 miles ?? Is this correct currently the car has 84,000.

    Cheers


    Its every 60k - check the service history and it should tell you if it was done at 60k and if not it should be done NOW!


  • #10
    unkel
    Registered Users Posts: 64,693 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    Am I paranoid or have manufacturers deliberately been setting TB change intervals too high? Nice source of service revenue when they do go

    All cars should have chains though. My Micra had a chain. My Porsche has a belt :(


  • #11
    Fizman
    Registered Users Posts: 6,605 ✭✭✭Fizman


    Earth Worm Jim wrote: »
    Its every 60k - check the service history and it should tell you if it was done at 60k and if not it should be done NOW!
    I was under the impression Golf mark Iv belts should be done every 45k - 50k?! (miles).


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  • #12
    green123
    Registered Users Posts: 1,672 ✭✭✭green123


    unkel wrote: »

    All cars should have chains though. My Micra had a chain. My Porsche has a belt :(

    why dont they ?


  • #13
    unkel
    Registered Users Posts: 64,693 ✭✭✭✭unkel


    green123 wrote: »
    why dont they ?

    Interesting question. I don't know. They should though. Imagine the positive impact on the reputation of Alfa Romeo (FIAT) branded cars if there were no TB issues!

    I'm completely making this up, but I'd say €500 spent to deliver a car with TC instead of TB would save all the subsequent owners of that car €5,000 in avoided repairs. Plus all the less worries!


  • #14
    Glenman
    Registered Users Posts: 976 ✭✭✭Glenman


    What all needs to be replaced? The belt, tensioner pulley and water pump...is this correct? How much should this work cost on average? Thanks


  • #15
    Neilw
    Registered Users Posts: 3,777 ✭✭✭Neilw


    Glenman wrote: »
    What all needs to be replaced? The belt, tensioner pulley and water pump...is this correct? How much should this work cost on average? Thanks

    Check condition of tensioner damper and replace it if need be, the aux belt should be changed too. I changed the thermostat and thermostat housing along with the engine mount stretch bolts on mine.


  • #16
    Gary ITR
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,805 ✭✭✭✭Gary ITR


    Also check the age of the thread before posting :)


This discussion has been closed.
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