Confused over timing belt advice

[KTpolo]

I've read that VW UK previously advised changing the timing belt every five years or every 40,000 miles, whichever came first, whereas VW Germany recommended just a visual check at 100,000 miles with no time limit. I've also read that VW Uk has now fallen in line with the German advice.

Mine is a 1.2 TSI petrol 2014 model at 81,000 miles. It has full service history but there's no mention of the belt being changed so I presume it's still on the original.

How much of a risk am I taking by driving it at this age and mileage without a belt change? To be honest, I only bought this one as an interim car as my last car was a banger that had failed its MOT badly and I needed to be mobile again. I thought a Polo with FSH would be a sensible purchase that will keep its value reasonably well when I'm ready to trade it in.

I wasn't intending it to be a keeper but I don't want to be worrying that the belt could snap at any time while I'm driving in the meantime. On the other hand, if I get the belt done (was quoted £550 by a VW indy specialist in Leeds a couple of days ago), it's money I won't be getting back at trade-in.

So really it boils down to how common is it really for the belt to snap at this kind of age and mileage? What are people's real-life experiences here? Thanks.

[R826583]

In my experience, on my 2016 Polo 6C, Volkswagen (in Australia) changed the timing belt and tensioner at approx. 95,000km.

Whether this was strictly needed or not, I am not entirely sure of. I do believe it is common for the timing belt and tensioner to be changed around the point that I had mine changed.

[2226]

But ... VW said it was a lifetime belt!
Lifetime of the warranty, that is.

I think you should be fine at that mileage.
These belts are probably stronger than the old rubber belts we've known. Kevlar in there, maybe?

100,000km is the usual rule of thumb on timing belt, but that was older belts. Like I said, they're probably stronger these days.
I would go with the 100,000mile recommendation by VW.

Changed my timing belt on my 2006 mk1 Golf at 170,000km and it was fine.

[ciclo]

Note (i).

[2226]

What site or application is that?
I'm sure you've given that before; I just can never remember.

[JUUL]

- Are you sure your Polo has a belt instead of a chain? In 2014 they changed from chain to belt, the old version has a chain (engine code CBZC) and the new version (engine code CJZC) has a belt. Normally speaking, the chain was originally meant to last a lifetime. If you speak of lifetime use....I think about a chain and not a belt.

- That being said, I do not completely agree with your statement that a belt change does not add retail value to a car. If I'm in the market for a new car, I would most certainly choose a car which has had the belt done recently above one that still needs to be done. I would at least bargain a big chunk off of the price because replacing the belt is an expensive undertaking.

- If you are sure the belt/chain has not been changed recently.....but it should have, then I would most certainly have it changed. The risk you take by not changing it is not worth taking. The engine can get seriously damaged which may result in a complete engine replacement altogether. The costs for the latter are not something to joke about, unless you can do it yourself.

[R826583]

What site or application is that?
I'm sure you've given that before; I just can never remember.

The downloaded PDF service tables from erWin (Volkswagen’s official repair and maintenance documentation platform).

—

I agree with JUUL re:
-the timing belt being changed adding value to the car. When I was in the market for a Polo, I would much prefer the ones that had the timing belts changed already. I suppose the buyer has to have knowledge about the timing belt situation for them to adjust the evaluation of the car though.
-it not being worth it to risk having a timing belt snapping. Given the engine is an interference engine, the values can get bent if they collide with the cylinders in the case of the timing belt snapping… which is a pretty bad situation.

[ciclo]

What site or application is that?
I'm sure you've given that before; I just can never remember.

viewtopic.php?p=600953#p600953
If you want, read the entire page for better understanding or draw your conclusions.

[2226]

What site or application is that?
I'm sure you've given that before; I just can never remember.

viewtopic.php?p=600953#p600953
If you want, read the entire page for better understanding or draw your conclusions.

Access requested.

I actually did sign up for erwin, but never got round to getting everything off there.

[2226]

- Are you sure your Polo has a belt instead of a chain? In 2014 they changed from chain to belt, the old version has a chain (engine code CBZC) and the new version (engine code CJZC) has a belt. Normally speaking, the chain was originally meant to last a lifetime. If you speak of lifetime use....I think about a chain and not a belt.

I recall VW having issues with those chains on the 8-valve 1.2TSI.

The belt is indeed marked as a lifetime belt.
However, rubber is never lifetime.
These modern belts might last longer than older belts, but they are still belts and will degrade. 120,000km should be fair though.

When in doubt, change it out.

[Le_Combattant]

So, I may consider to change it.

My car is 9 years old and 144000 km.
But water pump is fine, no leaks, no coolant issue.

1.2 TSI CJZC

[ciclo]

Access requested.

I actually did sign up for erwin, but never got round to getting everything off there.

Shared access. Please check your email.

[ciclo]

So, I may consider to change it.

My car is 9 years old and 144000 km.
But water pump is fine, no leaks, no coolant issue.

1.2 TSI CJZC

You can consider it, however, in the tables I posted previously there is no specified service interval for replacing the timing toothed belt for your engine according to your country (the magnificent and very beautiful France ).

If you do, I think you should also consider what we talked about here viewtopic.php?p=600330#p600330 in case you order the replacement at a workshop to be completely sure that the work is done as accurately as possible.
Those of us who are meticulous (like you and me, and many others around here) need that certainty.

[Le_Combattant]

So, I may consider to change it.

My car is 9 years old and 144000 km.
But water pump is fine, no leaks, no coolant issue.

1.2 TSI CJZC

You can consider it, however, in the tables I posted previously there is no specified service interval for replacing the timing toothed belt for your engine according to your country (the magnificent and very beautiful France ).

If you do, I think you should also consider what we talked about here viewtopic.php?p=600330#p600330 in case you order the replacement at a workshop to be completely sure that the work is done as accurately as possible.
Those of us who are meticulous (like you and me, and many others around here) need that certainty.

Yes, It's something I have to consider now. If I'm courageous enough (because of fricking cold weather) I will check my camblet today during my spark plug/coil igniter replacement.
See how it is.

I will ask my local dealer about the "method" they will use and If they will use the test tool VAS 611 007 to be the most accurate as possible.
But for that, I think I will have to sold one of my arm and one of my kidney

[2226]

You can consider it, however, in the tables I posted previously there is no specified service interval for replacing the timing toothed belt for your engine according to your country (the magnificent and very beautiful France ).

If you do, I think you should also consider what we talked about here viewtopic.php?p=600330#p600330 in case you order the replacement at a workshop to be completely sure that the work is done as accurately as possible.
Those of us who are meticulous (like you and me, and many others around here) need that certainty.

Frustrates me that you need a 2000+ euro tool to do this job properly.
Sure messes with someone who really enjoys doing work on their own cars. Now you need a dealership that has that tool, or a specialist workshop that might have it. Lucky if you can rent that tool
They really could've made this a simple cam lock procedure.
Anyway, I might be the only frustrated by this. I just don't like dealerships and most workshops around here.