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2017 VW polo 1.2 tsi bluemotion - Cambelt issue HELP PLS! - ReggieBee
Hi! I’ve had a Cambelt changed in October on my 2017 polo 1.2 tsi and since then the car has been juddering at speeds below 30mph. The revs are all over the place going up with acceleration but the vehicle does not pick up speed. The stop/start stopped working too. The mechanic who did the Cambelt assured the timing is ‘spot on’ changed a vvt hub but the issue continues. Advised me to book it in to VW as there’s a part ‘vanos hub’ that needs adjusting and only VW can do that.
2017 VW polo 1.2 tsi bluemotion - Cambelt issue HELP PLS! - galileo
Hi! I’ve had a Cambelt changed in October on my 2017 polo 1.2 tsi and since then the car has been juddering at speeds below 30mph. The revs are all over the place going up with acceleration but the vehicle does not pick up speed. The stop/start stopped working too. The mechanic who did the Cambelt assured the timing is ‘spot on’ changed a vvt hub but the issue continues. Advised me to book it in to VW as there’s a part ‘vanos hub’ that needs adjusting and only VW can do that.

If revs increase but car speed doesn't, this usually means the clutch is slipping.

2017 VW polo 1.2 tsi bluemotion - Cambelt issue HELP PLS! - elekie&a/c doctor
If it’s only happened since the belt change , I would suspect the timing is out . There’s a special way to set up the belt on these , and it needs to be done with an electronic gauge . Not many independents have this tool, as it costs over £1k .
2017 VW polo 1.2 tsi bluemotion - Cambelt issue HELP PLS! - Adampr

Well, I hope the mechanic is giving you your money back at the least. The timing isn't spot on if he's completely failed to get it working. Vanos is the variable valve timing; it changes when valves open depending on revs. The valves should open earlier at low speeds to give you a smooth idle, then later as you accelerate to deliver more power. Your mechanic hasn't accounted for this and your valves are opening too late at low revs, giving you a lumpy idle.

Your mechanic doesn't know what he's doing and/or doesn't have the correct equipment to finish the job he started. Take it to VW or to a VW, Skoda or Seat specialist.

2017 VW polo 1.2 tsi bluemotion - Cambelt issue HELP PLS! - ReggieBee
I have the car booked in to an independent vw specialist on Monday and I have my fingers crossed they will rectify this issue for me. What I’m really upset about is he’s totally having me on saying ‘no other independent mechanic’ has this ‘special tool’ to adjust the timing. I am going to ask for my money back when (hopefully) my car is fixed because he took my money and ruined my car.
2017 VW polo 1.2 tsi bluemotion - Cambelt issue HELP PLS! - ReggieBee
Hiya! Quick update…
First and foremost I’d like to advise that if you are going to have a Cambelt changed - please go to either a VW specialist or get it done at maindealers.
The cowboy who changed my cambelt messed up the job and didn’t have the right tool to adjust it. Thankfully, the VW specialist has found the fault, which was causing a misfire in all 4 cylinders, more so cylinder 1 - caused the spark plug to completely disingtegrate.
The whole Cambelt now has to come off, get adjusted and refitted.
The car was throwing codes for misfires and what the specialist found that in this engine there is no sensor that shows fault codes related to the timing. He said 90% of these engines have 1 but mine doesn’t. Strange. They’ve had the car for 3 days now and I’m glad that they made the decision to not return me the car until it’s fixed and is running properly. My next move would be to chase up the previous guy for a refund!!
2017 VW polo 1.2 tsi bluemotion - Cambelt issue HELP PLS! - ReggieBee
Hi thanks for replying - I should mention the car had no issues whatsoever before I took it in for a Cambelt change. It drove perfectly fine until the belt change
2017 VW polo 1.2 tsi bluemotion - Cambelt issue HELP PLS! - gordonbennet

VW have form for the requirements of special tools for basic maintenance like cambelt changes, no need for it, if the belt is timed properly when the car is made then woodruff keys on the sprockets (themselves having timing marks to line up on the head/block face) and for belt and braces relevant timing marks on the replacement belt then its virtually impossible to get this, what should be a simple operation for someone reasonably competent, wrong.

2017 VW polo 1.2 tsi bluemotion - Cambelt issue HELP PLS! - elekie&a/c doctor
Sorry to say that woodruff keys went out with the Sierra . Virtually all camshaft sprockets nowadays are fully floating with no key way .,
2017 VW polo 1.2 tsi bluemotion - Cambelt issue HELP PLS! - gordonbennet
Sorry to say that woodruff keys went out with the Sierra . Virtually all camshaft sprockets nowadays are fully floating with no key way .,

Not as i'm going to remove the belt driven cam sprocket (other one geared off the belt driven one) on my 3 litre Toyota Diesel to check but wouldn't surprise me if that's still locked in place with a woodruff key, that engine's been in use since the early 90's that i know about , its got all the other things that should be there, timing marks etc.

Probably the simplest cambelt renewal ever designed, 1 hour first time DIY start to finish with just basic tools, you'd love it Doc, all cambelts should be like this its not as if they won't need doing at some point.

2017 VW polo 1.2 tsi bluemotion - Cambelt issue HELP PLS! - Xileno

Sounds a bit like the Volvo red block engines, designed to be easy.

2017 VW polo 1.2 tsi bluemotion - Cambelt issue HELP PLS! - elekie&a/c doctor
Sadly the days of making jobs simple are well gone . Manufacturers seem to be making previously straightforward repairs as difficult as possible , very often needing specific tools and equipment. We are now seeing security access required to the obd diagnostic port . Mr average will only be able to view basic engine information.