Chris wrote:

On Wed, 21 Dec 2005 10:43:28 +0000 (UTC), "Sam Salt"
wrote:


Angus Manwaring wrote:

Hi guys,

My '94 Golf 1.8 CL petrol has just passed 100,000 and having owned it
for the last year, I thought I should get the belts checked.

I phoned my local VW dealer and they said replacement of the belt(s)
would be 225 UKP!

I said I was surprised it was that much, and she said after some
consideration she thought they could probably do it for 195 UKP.

I said I'd probably get in touch in the new year.

I know nothing, but isn't that a lot to ask - or on this engine is it
a particuarly awkard task to do?


Thanks for any advice and happy Christmas.

My wife has a Mk.1V Golf 1.6S amd if I remember correctly the price that the
dealer has on their price list for a cam-belt change is over £300.

I have also often wondered why it was so expensive.


Belt kits can be around £50 - they're likely to do the auxhillery
belts too, while it's off which may increase the price depending on
how many you've got. The cambelt is very pricey because it's got all
sorts of reinforcements in it as obviously it's very bad if it breaks.
I personally would change it once every 60k miles....

Depending on the car it can be difficult to do - involving taking a
lot of the car to pieces, or loosening tensioners and removing things
like the alternator etc.

On some cars it would easily be 2-3 hours work even for someone with
lots of experience.... so that explains the price...

Regards,
Chris

A Goodyear belt is £28
However, to ensure it goes the distance you should replace the tensioner
as well. And while it is apart all the other belts. Check what the
garage are including for the quote first.
I did my own and all the bests and tensioner cost me near £70. It takes
about 2.5 hours.
David