1.4 ecotsi 150bhp cambelt

MattN

Active Member
Jan 1, 2021
26
15
Leeds
I am paraphrasing VW AG "for life" timing belt in the EA211 engine being there is no set replacement interval...and now no checks on the service schedule. VW (not me) are so confident in the durability of these modern belts that they state they ought to last the lifetime of the car. However, you claim a timing belt cannot be made to last that long and is a wear item, therefore disagreeing with VW (which you are entitled to do).

However, my main point was that you have no comeback on the manufacturer in the event of failure outside warranty, just as other parts ought to last the lifetime of the car and shouldn't realistically be expected to be replaced but do fail on the unlucky owner (not tyres or oil).
 
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Mr Pig

Active Member
Jun 17, 2015
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However, my main point was that you have no comeback on the manufacturer in the event of failure outside warranty, just as other parts ought to last the lifetime of the car and shouldn't realistically be expected to be replaced but do fail on the unlucky owner
Yes, I agree. It may be possible today to make a timing belt which should last the life of the car but that doesn't mean it will. I worked in industry where lots of machines used the same type of toothed belt. Some lasted decades and others failed.
 

MattN

Active Member
Jan 1, 2021
26
15
Leeds
Sometimes written words can be misinterpreted but I think we're on the same wave length now. Yey!

I wasn't saying it will, or indeed won't last. I wouldn't have spent my hard-earned getting it done on my car if I entirely believe VW. However I thought you made a fairly bold statement earlier that timing belts couldn't last that long and were a wear item, but now that it MAY be possible to make a lifetime belt. Agreed. Have a pleasant day 🙂
 
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MA1601

Active Member
Jan 3, 2023
46
15
Booked in with Seat for £540. Initially quoted me £750(!) but managed to get them to price match another dealer 20 miles away.

I was intent on leaving it as I thought surely the original manufacturer service schedule (and not the UK subsidiary) is the true interval i.e. check the belt condition at 210,000km. But for peace of mind and considering it is 7 years old now I’ve had a change of heart. Would also cost somewhere in the region of £1500-2000 for an engine rebuild or supply & fit of a used engine (not to mention the major inconvenience) if belt was to snap.
 
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Mr Pig

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Jun 17, 2015
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Booked in with Seat for £540. Initially quoted me £750(!) but managed to get them to price match another dealer 20 miles away.
The thing is, I got quotes from non-franchised garages and they weren't massively cheaper so, what's the point?
 
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MA1601

Active Member
Jan 3, 2023
46
15
Just saw on one of the Mk7 golf facebook groups that VW have changed their cambelt replacement interval for the newer petrol engines to every 15 years/180,000 miles! Anyone know any more info on this?
 
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SuperV8

Active Member
May 30, 2019
1,547
686
Just saw on one of the Mk7 golf facebook groups that VW have changed their cambelt replacement interval for the newer petrol engines to every 15 years/180,000 miles! Anyone know any more info on this?
Interesting, Is that VW group or VW UK dealers?
 

exmgman

Active Member
Nov 30, 2009
76
8
Reading these posts regarding cam belts, I have a 1.8 2018 FR and the stealer tells me it has a chain cam drive motor.
is this correct? When I booked it in for the 5th year service and asked about cambelt change they said not needed, its chain drive.
The 1.8 motor is not just a bigger bore motor then?
 

SuperV8

Active Member
May 30, 2019
1,547
686
Reading these posts regarding cam belts, I have a 1.8 2018 FR and the stealer tells me it has a chain cam drive motor.
is this correct? When I booked it in for the 5th year service and asked about cambelt change they said not needed, its chain drive.
The 1.8 motor is not just a bigger bore motor then?
Correct - you have a chain.
The 1.8 EA888 is completely different engine to the 1.4/1.5 EA211
The 1.8 is a downsized 2.0.