VW say I have already damaged my engine?

chrisw

welfayre wrote: »

It's just a money making scheme tbh. It never used to be a "must" every 2 years. You used to take a sample and use a brake fluid analyser to see if it was ok. Obviously that didn't make enough money for the dealers so they came up with the 2 year thing but that falls down on the fact that brake fluid isn't dated so you could go into Euro car parts or Dingbro or Halfords etc and buy a bottle of brake fluid that's been sitting on the shelf for 2 years.
The thing that effects brake fluid is use. Someone tearing around the countryside with lots of heavy braking is going to need it changed more often than someone who does a 10 mile motorway trip every day.

It's not use that affects brake fluid, it's being exposed to moisture in the air. It will last virtually for ever in a sealed container, but once that's been opened it starts to absorb water.

As it absorbs the water, the boiling point drops until under moderate braking, the fluid starts to boil and become a compressible gas so there is reduced braking effect.

Also, the water in it is corrosive and starts to corrode and pit the Pistons and calliper surfaces.

In normal use, you probably wouldn't notice any detriment for 5 years or so, but it's good preventative maintenance, particularly as it's linked to the brakes.

I had my brakes overheat once on the Mull of Kintyre, and it's not an experience to repeat.

whitecloud663

The car is 5 years old. Never had the cambelt changed. Is it due or can I wait seeing that I've only done 16k miles?

Also is my engine okay then? So it isn't damaged like the VW technician suggested?

AdrianC

whitecloud663 wrote: »

The car is 5 years old. Never had the cambelt changed. Is it due or can I wait seeing that I've only done 16k miles?

A quick google suggests the time-based interval is four years, and that there are known issues with belts on that engine. It seems that later 1.4TSi may be chain, so double-check which yours is.

Also is my engine okay then? So it isn't damaged like the VW technician suggested?

VERY unlikely to have done any damage, but the oil is well overdue for changing - you are giving that poor car very harsh use.

whitecloud663

AdrianC wrote: »

A quick google suggests the time-based interval is four years, and that there are known issues with belts on that engine. It seems that later 1.4TSi may be chain, so double-check which yours is.



VERY unlikely to have done any damage, but the oil is well overdue for changing - you are giving that poor car very harsh use.

Just realised the "quote" feature!

It isn't the 1.4 TSI but the 1.4 80PS petrol. I'm pretty sure its a normal cambelt, not the chain.

nidO

whitecloud663 wrote: »

It isn't the 1.4 TSI but the 1.4 80PS petrol. I'm pretty sure its a normal cambelt, not the chain.

Then it's overdue for replacement. It's up to you whether you choose to replace it, but if the belt does fail you'll likely be getting a 4 figure repair bill, instead of the couple of hundred to replace the belt and kit.

Marktheshark

For a five year old car I would stay well away from the VW fast fit brigade garage.
Especially this one, stick to the periodic service plan with a good independent garage, by the sounds this lot think they have seen you coming.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Wherever you go to get your car serviced i hope the very last place you use is the employer of misery guts the master mechanic, whose attitude would have seen him landing on his back side with many people.

whitecloud663

I have read contradictory information, some say every 60k miles, others say 75k miles. But despite mileage, would you all recommend getting it changed now even though I have only done 16k miles? I want to spend as little as I can on the car

captainawsome

whitecloud663 wrote: »

The car is 5 years old. Never had the cambelt changed. Is it due or can I wait seeing that I've only done 16k miles?

Also is my engine okay then? So it isn't damaged like the VW technician suggested?

As said numerous times above - rubber deteriorates over time, regardless of mileage. So yes it needs changing.

How does anybody know how bad your engine damage is without seeing it? the VW tech has seen it and has advised you accordingly, which to be fair, is good advise. The way you use your car could easily kill it in a few years. If the oil is already congealed and starting to block galleries and oil lines (think oil filter first, or turbo feed pipes it it has a turbo) you may well already be into an engine strip to clean out the emulsified and congealed oil, or 'black death' as it's known. What work did the VW dealer quote you for?

AdrianC

whitecloud663 wrote: »

I have read contradictory information, some say every 60k miles, others say 75k miles. But despite mileage, would you all recommend getting it changed now even though I have only done 16k miles?

YES. Because the belt is now OVERDUE for changing, based on time. He is right about that, and right about the oil change frequency. You are giving your car VERY harsh use, yet attempting to give it minimal maintenance. The poor thing has probably never been up to full running temperature, which causes rapid engine wear and oil contamination. The one upside is that it's not a diesel.

I want to spend as little as I can on the car

You spent probably closing on fifteen grand for a fast-depreciating asset, in order to do a job that could be MUCH more sensibly and economically performed in a myriad of other ways, and now you want to further hurt the future value, potentially landing yourself with a very large bill, in order to save a relatively small amount? In the very few miles you've done, you've seen the value of the car more than halve, just through depreciation - roughly 50p for every mile, before all the other costs of actually using it.

Don't penny-pinch. Maintain the damn thing.