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When should a cam belt be changed?
The official recommendation by Volkswagen for a cam belt change on the Polo 1.2 TSI is 60,000 miles or at five years, a cam belt inspection. Nowhere does VW advocate a change at five years. When I point this out to the dealers they just say we recommend a change at five years. How does this reconcile with your five year recommendation? This was also the case on my 2012 Skoda Octavia.
Asked on 25 November 2021 by jonharnew
Answered by
Dan Powell
Almost all cam belt failures (we hear about) happen after five years and/or 60,000 miles. An inspection may identify a frayed belt. But lots of cam belt failures are linked to pulley and tensioner problems that may be less obvious to the eye - that's why it's important to have the whole lot replaced.
You would usually replace the water pump, too. But I'm fairly certain it is located at the opposite end of the block to the cam belt and doesn't have a change interval - but check this with your local mechanic.
You would usually replace the water pump, too. But I'm fairly certain it is located at the opposite end of the block to the cam belt and doesn't have a change interval - but check this with your local mechanic.
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