5 Year old VW Golf Should I need to replace cam belt?

Moneybot

I know nothing about cars so am looking for a bit of guidance.

VW in garage for a minor service and MOT. Garage said I would need to replace the cam belt because it should be replaced after 50,000 miles or 5 years. The car has only done 34,000 miles. They said it needed replacing before they looked at the car.

So should I replace the cam belt or wait for another 16,00 mile or wait until it breaks?

coffeehound

which engine do you have?

alw1971

Not an expert, but you definitely don't wait for a cam belt to break as it basically ruins your engine 🥺. 

angrycrow

You have not told us which engine is in your car so we can't advise on the correct belt change interval.

Assuming the garage are correct and it is 5 years or 50000 miles it is due now on age. 

It sounds like the garage don't want to risk working on it until the belt has been done in case it breaks and they get the blame. 

It is also worth asking if the water pump is driven by the cambelt. If it is get it changed at the same time. 

The one thing you definitely don't want to do is wait for it to break. When a cambelt breaks at best you bend a few valves requiring an expensive top end rebuild. Worst case is that you will need a new engine. 

JGB1955

Well.. 5 years has come before 50K miles, so it needs replacing.  If you had done 50K miles when it was 3 years old, it would have needed replacing then. If you wait until it breaks you just end up with a worthless lump of metal.

Moneybot

Thank you for all your replies

The engine is a 1400 petrol engine 

GrumpyDil

Do you know the engine code as that would help confirm the cam belt change interval? On my vw the engine code is on a sticker in the rear wheel well and on the first page of the service guide/user manual booklet. 

But yes if it is 5 years/50000 miles change it. I was given a very low mileage car at 24000 miles and 12 years old with an interval of 60000, first job was change the cambelt. No it had not been changed and yes my mother in law was lucky as the belt was starting to wear. 

coffeehound

There's an example on the reputable Honestjohn site that sounds relevant:

Q:  "I have just bought an immaculate, used Volkswagen Golf Estate 1.4 TSI SE from a main dealer. The car is a 2017 model with 39,800 miles on the clock and a full dealer service record. Question: does this have a cam belt or cam chain? If the former, when should the belt be changed?"

A:  The 1.4 TSI engine uses a timing belt. From memory, it's described as a 'long life' belt that should last around 100,000 miles....but I'd suggest changing the belt, pulley and water pump every 5 years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first). Most cam belt problems we hear about occur between 60-100k and/or 5+ years.

Moneybot

Thank you again

I think I will change it based on your replies it sounds the much safer option.

oh_really

Look at your handbook. I think the change interval is 140k/5 years.

Stubod

..I have the same engine (5 years old with less than 30k miles). My local indy (VW Specialist) dealer advised me to leave it as the original design specification was for 75k miles. Apparently more likely that the water pump would fail first. ie if you do replace the cambelt it pays to get the water pump replaced at he same time due to the labour costs, (I was quoted around £700 for both).

Ultimately I suppose it depends on whether you intend to keep the car for a longer period, and what your appetite for risk is! As above of the belt breaks it takes out the engine....!