UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

Went & had 50000 mile service today (£129 from approved VW dealer) & just asked when cam belt needed changing (they said VW had sent out letters to all the dealers saying to change cam belt when 4 years old).

They quoted me £280 including VAT & said the whole front end needs to come off, to fit the new belt. Anyone else asked about this & had a price for this If i get the work done else where, will it effect the full VW service history or does this not matter ( just getting to learn about these things)

£129 for a service! thats a bargain!!

My 50k service at a vag dealer was £92, I paid the same garage £300 for the cambelt change. The front end does not have to come off for it to be replaced, the position of the engine mount does make it akward though.

£280 is about right from a VAG dealer aslong as they are replacing the water pump/tensioners and the belts. When replacing the water pump they should also replace all the coolant, I got them to change the oil at the same time also, they only charged me for the oil as the car was in bits anyway.

I was getting quotes form £280-£350 (the parts alone are £150inc VAT) at the garages around here I decided £20 extra for the vag garage to do it was worth while.

Won't matter if you get it done else where aslong as they use VAG parts.

What!! 4 years old car have to change Cam Belt??
My 4 years old Polo GTI only run 35000 miles

Dangerous Dave, does the water pump/tensioners & belts need changing aswell, when the cam belt comes off

VW quoted me £357 to do just the cam belt,
Vw specialist quoted me £342 to do cam belt, water pump, and new HT leads.
i took it to the VW specialist obviously!

tensioners etc should be part of the cam belt replacement,
did the water pump at the same time cos i've heard it can take out the cam belt if it goes? not sure if this is correct, but for a few quid more, may as well replace it at the same time

Is the Cam Belt etc part of the 60k service, if so how much are we talking for it (the service)?

Mine won't quite have 60k but it will be getting that way.

Yes the waterpump, tensioners and timing belts (Polo GTi as two) should be replaced as part of the cambelt change. My waterpump failed at 55k but I was lucky enough for it not to take the cambelt with it, the waterpump is just as likely to go as the tensioners.

ModifiedMadness I never got it done as part of the 60k service but my 60k service was £102 without the belt change, the cambelt change at 55k was £300 although my VAG dealer seems very resonable with thier prices they also stick to their quote for work, I tried VAG specialists around my area and they were more expensive only one garage was cheaper and they didn't specialise in vag cars.

I wouldn't skimp on the cambelt change its a lot cheaper than if the belt snaps which has happened to a few Gti owners on this forum.

HK 6N2 wrote:What!! 4 years old car have to change Cam Belt??
My 4 years old Polo GTI only run 35000 miles

I would still get it done. My cam belt tensioner went at 40K, They seem to have a habit of doing this. Lucky for me, mine was still uner warranty (just).

Mines booked in this week.. 280£

Mine was £260 at a VW stealer (they didn't do the waterpump for some reason)

HI guys. i'm new to this!!! Have had my gti for a week now. it's 5 years old with 20k miles on the clock. i'm looking to get the cambelt + tensioner, etc done shortly, by a techie at work(merc garage). Would you all recommend having the water pump changed as well or not?

The reason i ask is that i had a mk4 polo which had the cam belt go. luckily i was just about stationary when it happened. I didnt get the water pump done at the time, but a year later it started to leak, and I had to replace it anyway & the cam belt, again!!!

My techie mate said he would check it, but I'm still leaning towards the idea of while everythings off, change it!

sorry for the long essay......

Yes, get the water pump changed at the same time as the cambelt job

Welcome, by the way. Nice car

hi guys! have been reading the other topic re:gathering info for cam belt problems... just one question..... i read that several others have had a whining noise at mid-range revs. my car has a high pitched noise, when at approx 35-45 mph...it this normal or do you think it could be cam belt. noise not affected by dipping of clutch. only ever notice it when cruising along.... think i'm being paranoid as car has (touch wood alot)only had recall and window motor since registered in mar 01... my vw techie mate reckons that its reliable due to lack of problems so far with it.... i am planning on getting cambelt and water pump done asap.... what r ur opinions on the noise.??? have only don just under 21k miles.

I've recently had mine in for a service they advised the cambelt and tensioner needed doing quoted me £407.39. Surely this is way over the top from the looks of it?