UK-POLOS.NET - THE VW Polo Forum

I know the recomended time period for cambelt and tensioner replacement keeps changing...


What is the current official VW recomedned life period for the cambelt and tensioner.?

I have just reached 61k miles....the cambelt was last changed at just under 40K

every 40k, 4 years, whatever comes first

My cambelt is due now shortly. Do you guys recommend having the water pump done at the same time and best to have it done at VW or just independent garage?

As long as its the original parts. I'd always get the water pump done at the same time

Shoot that reminds me i need to get mine done. 46k and still on original!

kraized wrote:My cambelt is due now shortly. Do you guys recommend having the water pump done at the same time and best to have it done at VW or just independent garage?

Have it done at the dealer.
Its not that much more, but if anything goes wrong you are covered a full two years parts and labour.

In other words, if eightneen months later your cam belt snaps and kills your top end of the engine VW will repair the car for free.

You take it to an inderpendant, and its unlikely you will get anything other than parts only warranty.
Labour may not be covered.

Just call around a few dealers, the prices vary.
As above make sure you change the water pump, the part isnt expencive and there is no extra labour involved.
Even if the supplier tells you there is no need, tell them you want it changing.
Ive known of people being told its not required by an inderpendant, four months later the cam belt snapping and the repairer blaiming the water pump!

Tigz wrote:

kraized wrote:My cambelt is due now shortly. Do you guys recommend having the water pump done at the same time and best to have it done at VW or just independent garage?

Have it done at the dealer.
Its not that much more, but if anything goes wrong you are covered a full two years parts and labour.

In other words, if eightneen months later your cam belt snaps and kills your top end of the engine VW will repair the car for free.

You take it to an inderpendant, and its unlikely you will get anything other than parts only warranty.
Labour may not be covered.

Just call around a few dealers, the prices vary.
As above make sure you change the water pump, the part isnt expencive and there is no extra labour involved.
Even if the supplier tells you there is no need, tell them you want it changing.
Ive known of people being told its not required by an inderpendant, four months later the cam belt snapping and the repairer blaiming the water pump!

Thanks for the advice mate. Any ideas how much to have the cambelt and the pump done? I'm still on my original. Done 39k odd miles.

Its a Post code lottery really.
I live in South Yorkshire.

My three local dealer quotes were:

Hazeldons Barnsley

"Hi, I have a 2001 1.6 Polo GTI, may I have a price for you replacing both the belts and tensioners please."

Is it petrol or diesal?

[Choke]*Cough*[/Choke] "Do you not realise there is not a oil burning GTI?"

It will be £299

Hazeldons Doncaster

"Hi, I have a 2001 1.6 Polo GTI, may I have a price for you replacing both the belts and tensioners please."

Is it a manual or Automattic?

"What diffrence will that make!"

It will be £269

Gilders VW Rotherham (Where my Loop was bought and serviced)
After 3 hours of engadged tones, I emailed them and asked them to call me.

"Hi, Its Andi. Bought my self a Polo, and need the belts changing"

That will be £350

"What! How can Hazeldons be so much cheaper?"

Our labour rate must be more

"OK then, guess where I wont be coming back to again"

Cheers for the info Tigz

Well mine is going in Wednesday to have the cam belt done. £295 plus around £60 quid for the water pump.

62k and still on the original....time for a change maybe?!

cjwardy wrote:62k and still on the original....time for a change maybe?!

Errm. I should say so.

i had mine done last month on 63k by an independant vag specialist cost me £270 inc waterpump.