cam belt snapping damage

[guitarjon]

Whats the worse case scenario for a cam belt snapping on a 1.6 16v?

I know on most cars its bad but i dono what happens on this engine

the car has done 68k but the service book is not showing that it has been done. Where abouts is the cover so i can check again im very unfamiliar with this engine all together

 

[CHR15B]

Looking at the engine block, it's on the left hand side running down.

Will be £££ if it snaps... unless your a very lucky chap.

 

[Tom B]

You actually may need a new head, a block is a real freaky worst case scenario (like if a valve gets crushed into a piston and scores everything up.

What speed did it happen and how quickly did you stick it in neutral and turn the engine off?

You may be really lucky, but you won't know until the head's off.

 

[dirtbiker]

I don't think it's actually failed yet!

Mostly you'll get some valve-piston contact which will result in bent valves.

I'm thinking mine needs doing too? The car's done around 67k?

 

[Tom B]

OK if thats the case, if theres no history of the belt being changed, get the belt changed this week.

Tensioners are prone to fail on the Polo GTI 1.6 16v, so with that in mind I'd change that too.

 

[guitarjon]

no its definatly not gone yet. I was hoping to hold out until i get some cash together thats why i was asking where the cover was. Does the water pump also need changin on these engines at the same time?

 

[JamesL]

Doesn't have to be but may as well whilst everything is off. Better now than in a few months, and having to have the whole job re done effectively. The pump is apparently only a 10 minute fit or so if you're doing the belt anyway.

 

[Willie]

Better to stick this on a credit card now that risk a £1,000 + bill later and take the hit for the interest until you get it paid off

 

[guitarjon]

ok think it will have to get sorted then oh dear, i was trying to get the credit card back down as it was at its limit last month student loan helped get rid of some but like you said better than alot more.

 

[guitarjon]

just wondering do you think it would make any difference to the price if i asked them over the phone or to just go down and ask? Do they have a set price or will each dealer be different, everything is completly standard so no extra time issues or anything there. Would it matter if i went to a specialist vag garage or seat itsself?

 

[Willie]

A specialist will charge about £45 per hour, a dealers probably about £60 p/h. It's entirely up to wheather you have a specialist close to you that you trust or know good things about. Better off with the dealer if you don't.

 

[gaztaman]

something around one of the tensioners went on mine and its set me back £1 large. the annoying thing is it was changed on the last service it had get it done if youre in any doubt...

 

[guitarjon]

Right called round a couple have been reccomended TTS, inde-tec and AJ autos (who i have not yet called)
I have asked for cam belt, tensioner and waterpump all supplied and fitted.

Tried TTS first as they are close in Bedford but the lady on the phone wasn't very helpful. I would hope the service was to be better when it comes to it. She could only find the 1.8 T on the computer so couldn't give me a price, said i had to ring back with the chasis number and engine number so i thought.....

Tried Inde-tec who quoted me £305.50 or 260 plus VAT. Which doesnt sound too bad i was expecting a few hundered. Does this sound about right to you guys. Still got a couple more to call. Don't know if its worth even bothering with TTS? what you all think?

 

[Husbandofstinky]

Tried Inde-tec who quoted me £305.50 or 260 plus VAT. Which doesnt sound too bad i was expecting a few hundered.

Sounds like a good price. Have you tried SEAT at Kempston? I don't know if they are any good on the oily side though.

 

[ChrisGTL]

Tried Inde-tec who quoted me £305.50

Seems very reasonable. I find it funny that specialists charge less than dealers, shouldnt that be the other way round.

 

[oldman]

ditto the others on price - that is very good.
and yes get done very soon, or funds allowing.

 

[guitarjon]

well AJ autos beat that price paying £270 booked in for next Wednesday so at least i wll have piece of mind after that. AJ autos have also been recommended from people on here. They use the OEM parts too and are vag specialists.

 

[Havok316]

i had mine done by seat last week cam and water pump the cam change was £315 and to have the water pump it was £375 inc VAT and Labour

 

[Rob Leigh]

Hi

The best thing to do is have belt, tensioner and pump changed asap as if snaps goodbye engine tensioner's fail regularly and impeller fall of pump.

Hope that helps

your friendly AA patrol

 

[guitarjon]

hopefully it will hold out till wednesday then wont be using the car much so should be fine. Does it sound right that really the dont need to be done until around 100k but it is reccomended they are done at 60k or am i thinking of something else?