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Golf timing belt snapped - what do I do?
My VW Golf Mark IV 2003's timing belt has recently snapped (i know, should have been more attentive with the servicing) and we're wondering what to do. Speed was about 20mph at time of incident, stopped soon after. Car's steering locked up.
Fails to start/ kick in. Breakdown advice: Belt identified as problem/broken. Thought perhaps not to have affected one row of valves as breakdown (obviously not known until fully examined.)
Someone has looked over it offering two options: 1. replace the belt and see what happens 2.(most likely) examine valves etc and replace, cost £400-500.
Should I take the car to a garage, have the belt replaced or go for the full examination/ rebuild? Professional said 90% of time there will have been damage. Does this model have an interference engine?
As the car is probably worth only £2000 should I bother with repairing or sell as damaged?
Fails to start/ kick in. Breakdown advice: Belt identified as problem/broken. Thought perhaps not to have affected one row of valves as breakdown (obviously not known until fully examined.)
Someone has looked over it offering two options: 1. replace the belt and see what happens 2.(most likely) examine valves etc and replace, cost £400-500.
Should I take the car to a garage, have the belt replaced or go for the full examination/ rebuild? Professional said 90% of time there will have been damage. Does this model have an interference engine?
As the car is probably worth only £2000 should I bother with repairing or sell as damaged?
Asked on 10 July 2012 by vwgolfmarkiv
Answered by
Honest John
No point in simply replacing the belt without checking for damage. Valve and piston damage can be checked with a probe scope via the spark plug holes, but this won't tell you if con rods are bent. If no valve damage or debris inside the combustion chambers, then worth taking a chance and replacing the belt.
Tags:
technical issues
timing belt
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