Cambelt tensioner failed - Noooooo!!

Callum · Post by **Callum** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:54 am

Just had my cambelt done recently, new belts & tensioners from GSF, driving back from Cheltenham last night I heard a rattle??

Then I worked out what it was, so I stopped reving and turned the engine straight off, coasted to the side of the road.

Whipped the cambelt cover off, to find the small belt still fine (the one which links the 2 cams) but the main belt virtually off!! It looks like the one tensioner has failed, I will have a proper look at the weekend

I'm pretty sure there's a good chance the valves have bent, and is going to cost a fortune... Any Suggestions apart from setting fire to it??

Cheers

Callum

ticki · Post by **ticki** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:56 am

Who fitted your belt?

Callum · Post by **Callum** » Wed Nov 22, 2006 11:59 am

I did, I have worked on VW's for 6 years and cambelts are my speciality, I checked and checked again that everything was ok, as I always do, especially on my own car!!

It was done about 2 months ago, weird it decided to go last night, what an arse!!

Post by **Josh_PoloGTi** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 6:36 am

I was so lucky when my tensioner went on my GTi!

The belt was slapping around, but didn't come off or jump any teeth.

Hope yours isn't bad mate. Finger's crossed.

Si_GTi · Post by **Si_GTi** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 1:18 pm

I too was very very lucky. My tensioner failed whilst I was indulging in some spirited driving on a local A-road! Everything held together long enough for me to drive it home and book it into the dealer for a look (under warranty at the time) and they too said I was lucky not to have been left with a bucket of bolts in the engine bay where once there was an engine

Good luck Callum

Callum · Post by **Callum** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 1:35 pm

Cheers guys

It's 'the stripdown' this weekend, I've rang around for some prices, managed to find a complete engine with 21k on the clock for Â£250 +vat so that might be an option.

No one will seperate an engine, and all the bits from VW are Â£650+ so thats not an option!!

I will try timing it up, and see if it will start before I go and buy...

Otherwise it might be a 20VT conversion!! Which I've fancied doing for ages!!

Luke'sGti · Post by **Luke'sGti** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:15 pm

get the 1.8 T installed

M6TT F · Post by **M6TT F** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 2:27 pm

hmmm - a little worrying! I've just got a cambelt kit from GSF to have fitted tommorow by a mate. - Hoping this was a one off, and not down to s**t parts?!?!?!

jezmk4 · Post by **jezmk4** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 7:33 pm

M6TT F wrote:hmmm - a little worrying! I've just got a cambelt kit from GSF to have fitted tommorow by a mate. - Hoping this was a one off, and not down to **** parts?!?!?!

Known problem im affraid

the Tensioners are rubbish

when i did my 1.4 > 1/6 conversion, the tensioner that had been on for 5 months already wasnt tensioning properly.....

vdubit · Post by **vdubit** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 7:40 pm

I made sure i used a quality kit on mine. We can get valves for these at work if you need them, along with head set, bolts etc. Did one on a fabia comfort 1.4 16v the other day with same problem. All valves knackered! Werent too expensive though. Tis same valves as the 1.6

polo power · Post by **polo power** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:20 pm

Cheers guys

It's 'the stripdown' this weekend, I've rang around for some prices, managed to find a complete engine with 21k on the clock for Â£250 +vat so that might be an option.

No one will seperate an engine, and all the bits from VW are Â£650+ so thats not an option!!

I will try timing it up, and see if it will start before I go and buy...

Otherwise it might be a 20VT conversion!! Which I've fancied doing for ages!!

if you dont end up needed the 1.6 gti engine would it be possible if i could have it please.

M6TT F · Post by **M6TT F** » Thu Nov 23, 2006 9:54 pm

going to take the gsf kit back and get a OEM one, not worth taking the risk!

Callum · Post by **Callum** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:34 am

Definetly not worth the risk with the GSF kit, I thought it was great that I was saving about Â£50 over the VW kit - Not so great now

I will let you know if I don't need the engine Polo Power,

I'm driving round in a crappy works van now!! Great, better than walking though I suppose!!

Tomorrow is the day, that I find out if it's game over or not!!

M6TT F · Post by **M6TT F** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:52 am

it's going back, they were fine about it on the phone, and picking up a OEM kit from the dealer tommorow... Â£50 extra now, and piece of mind!

PS> Cheers for the heads up, your misfortune has potentially saved me from the same fate!

polo power · Post by **polo power** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 11:53 am

cheers for that callum, do you work at the vw at whitchurch?