Cam belt change

[mjmaster10]

I have just bought a scirocco 1986 GTX and the last cam belt change was done 12 years ago / 7000 miles ago.

The car has been garaged for most of that time and done roughly 500-600 miles per year.

Does it need changing? Am I running a risk by not changing it pronto? The car itself is running fine.

Thanks for the help.

[the edmundator]

It's ten years or the recommended mileage (80k, I think), so I would definitely change the belt. The tyres probably need replacing as well, if you haven't already.

[unknownmale]

I would change it, with that amount of time passing the belt would start to degrade...belt and tensioner can be picked up for around £30...so cheap for the peace of mind.

[mjmaster10]

Thanks all. Will definitely get it changed before using it any more.

I've had a quote from VW Walton on Thames for cam belt + tensioners + water pump. Fixed price £349.

Is that about right? They say its 3 hours work...

[GTXTRA]

Thanks all. Will definitely get it changed before using it any more.

I've had a quote from VW Walton on Thames for cam belt + tensioners + water pump. Fixed price £349.

Is that about right? They say its 3 hours work...

Give the Phirm a call - they're down the A30 near Hartley Wintney and charge half the labour a bloody dealer does. Well worth a call if the car is being recommissioned. They prepped the Arctic Blast GTX recently and that got to Norway and back!

[scirockirb]

I was going to say the parts are about £50 so £100/hour sounds steep!

[the edmundator]

Don't use a dealer. Their "technicians" are only trained in modern vehicles and you won't benefit from any expertise about your car. Much better to find a good local garage that understands older cars.

[james butler]

if your even remotely competant you can do it yourself with a few spanners allen keys and the right knowhow

[james butler]

i changed the timing belt , tappets and the camshaft seal in about 3-4 hours

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=18285&start=15
the only picture i missed out is the dot on the intermediate shaft lining up with the bottom pulley on the crank

[unknownmale]

Thanks all. Will definitely get it changed before using it any more.

I've had a quote from VW Walton on Thames for cam belt + tensioners + water pump. Fixed price £349.

Is that about right? They say its 3 hours work...

I'm sure they're not trying to rip you off, but thats too high for the car. If you have a basic tool set you can do this at home in 1-2 hours.

Probably the most accessible cam belt change i've ever done!

[mjmaster10]

Give the Phirm a call - they're down the A30 near Hartley Wintney and charge half the labour a bloody dealer does. Well worth a call if the car is being recommissioned. They prepped the Arctic Blast GTX recently and that got to Norway and back![/quote]

Thanks - have dropped them an email and subject to their quote I think I'll do it with them.

[Nate]

Thanks all. Will definitely get it changed before using it any more.

I've had a quote from VW Walton on Thames for cam belt + tensioners + water pump. Fixed price £349.

Is that about right? They say its 3 hours work...

Water pump isn't driven by the cam belt,so won't need changing just coz the cam belt is being done.

It's at the front of the engine,under the alternator and driven by the auxiliary belt (fan belt)

[mark1gls]

Thanks all. Will definitely get it changed before using it any more.

I've had a quote from VW Walton on Thames for cam belt + tensioners + water pump. Fixed price £349.

Is that about right? They say its 3 hours work...

That say's it all......... As Nate said you don't need to change the water pump at the same time and it should not take 3 hours, 2 hours if you was having trouble with rusty bolts, I can change mine in 30 mins if working fast and it all lines up first time.
The VW garage does not know what it's doing or what is involved, perhaps you spoke to some one on a desk just looking at a fixed price list for later VW's? I would avoid using them....

[DannyH]

The last twice i had it done it was £80 at 2 different local garages - one in Glasgow and one in Preston.

[Nate]

3 hours might be the book time? Don't know though, not looked it up