1.4 cambelt change
QTwo years ago, I acquired an immaculate 2006 VW Polo 1.4 auto – virtually a garage find with only 18,000 verified miles on the clock. I don't believe the car ever went out in the rain, let alone endure road salt and all those nasty things! It certainly never left its home on the Isle of Man. Although it is in regular use now (still on the Isle of Man), it is spotless and remains at relatively low annual mileage, now showing 36,000 miles. It is driven on mainly shorter mileage trips, apart from the annual motorway blast in summer.
After an initial noisy tappet period early on (20 seconds of noise at initial start-up) prior to a couple of oil changes when the correct oil was installed, the car runs perfectly now. Fuel consumption is approximately 34mpg, which seems OK in view of its operating area. The only ‘old age’ item to be changed is the battery.
My query concerns cambelt changes. VW seems to change cambelts using a smoke-and-mirrors technique rather than time/mileage but, on most makes, belts are changed at, say, 60,000 miles or five years. My belt is almost eight years old, although mileage is much less than normal. From what I can see, all seems quite normal and in good condition – there are certainly no weird noises anywhere.
I am hesitant about changing the belt in view of the easy life the car has enjoyed, and the expense involved, but I would appreciate your opinion, in view of your wider experience of other similar situations. I intend to keep the car indefinitely. Colin Thirlwall
AAccording to the information I have, the timing belts (there are two) on the BKY engine should be replaced at either four years or 75,000 miles (120,000km), whichever comes soonest. VW also specify checking the belt at 55,000 miles (90,000km). One of the big problems with timing belt failure is that there is no noise or warning sign before total failure.
I would not hesitate in replacing the belt on your Polo. The fabric of the belt will deteriorate over time and the cost if the belt breaks will be far greater than that of replacing the belts now. The book time for replacing the timing belts is 2.5 hours and the belts should cost around £50 for the pair. I would also replace the tensioners, which will add a further cost.