Check timing belt on GTI

[Dublediff]

Hi, first post after newbies intro. I have just entered the world of the hot hatch golf. My MK5 GTI is proving to be a lot of fun, after driving an BMW X5 diesel for years the nimble and fast GTI is very welcome. The service history on this vehicle is lacking so I am in the woods to an extent. I have spoken to people with contact to the previous owner and they tell me that the timing belt and coolant pump have been changed. There is no reciept as it was a love job by a Mercedes AGM tech. It is a bit complicated, but these people have no financial or other gain to be made by this statement. I would like to get the belt and pump checked to see if this is correct. I am a bit "sensitive" with approaching the "stealer dealers" for a qualified inspection as I can guess the outcome now
I am in the western suburbs of Melbourne, and was wondering if there is anybody that would be recommended or maybe even some tips to check it if I do it myself. I have changed timing belts on previous BMWs and have the tools but perhaps not the patience. What should I look for to see if the belt has been recently replaced.

[h100vw]

Hi, first post after newbies intro. I have just entered the world of the hot hatch golf. My MK5 GTI is proving to be a lot of fun, after driving an BMW X5 diesel for years the nimble and fast GTI is very welcome. The service history on this vehicle is lacking so I am in the woods to an extent. I have spoken to people with contact to the previous owner and they tell me that the timing belt and coolant pump have been changed. There is no reciept as it was a love job by a Mercedes AGM tech. It is a bit complicated, but these people have no financial or other gain to be made by this statement. I would like to get the belt and pump checked to see if this is correct. I am a bit "sensitive" with approaching the "stealer dealers" for a qualified inspection as I can guess the outcome now
I am in the western suburbs of Melbourne, and was wondering if there is anybody that would be recommended or maybe even some tips to check it if I do it myself. I have changed timing belts on previous BMWs and have the tools but perhaps not the patience. What should I look for to see if the belt has been recently replaced.

I'd hunt out a how to on the net for a belt change. Then visually check the belt. Take a picture of the belt for all the world to see.

Gavin

[Dublediff]

Had a bit of a look on Youtube but all seem to start once you have the area exposed....I need to see the preliminary steps, such as take left handed screw driver from tool box etc....get some striped paint....and have a beer

[Umai Naa!!]

There will be some tell tale signs, like engine mount bolts with marks on then from being undone and done up, white paint pen dots on the cam gear, etc.

[Snail Style]

Take the two T30 bolts out of the upper timing cover, pull the cover out and have a look. White out marks on the cam are an indication it has been done, or has been removed during a repair job.

However judging the condition of the belt is not easily done.

[The One]

Like others have said, engine mount bolts, drive belt condition, paint marks on cam gears, also have a look for the writting on the belt, see how faded it is, generally the more 'faded' it is, the older the belt, although not a clear/accurate indication! The way I always see it is, whenever in doubt, just get it done! Better to pay perhaps $500-600 then it failing on you and needing a whole engine replacement/ rebuild..

[audi-tone]

I was quoted 950 + gst for a belt change.
Woah.

[Umai Naa!!]

That's about average for an independant repairer.

[The One]

$950? Must be on crack.. I wouldn't charge/pay anymore than $750, genuine tensioner, rollers, waterpump.

P.S: For $950 I'd run straight to dealer, local dealer here does them for $1100, comes with 2 years parts and labour warranty, e.g: waterpump seizes (seen it happen before) they chuck a engine in straight up

[Transporter]

$950? Must be on crack.. I wouldn't charge/pay anymore than $750, genuine tensioner, rollers, waterpump.

You know what they say, "if something is too good do the truth....."

so you say, you wouldn't charge more than $750, I say you are most likely not running the mechanical workshop, not paying a taxes.
Maybe a backyarders can do it for $750.

Better to pay perhaps $500-600 then it failing on you and needing a whole engine replacement/ rebuild..

No reliable mechanic can do it for $500, replace all the parts that should be replaced and still make the profit.
Perhaps maybe somewhere in China.

[Umai Naa!!]

There's about $450-$500 in parts and coolant alone. Then there's about 4-5 hours labour. Unless your mechanic wants to make almost no money out of it...

[Dublediff]

the top cover wouldnt cooperate and I could only pull it back far enough to get this picture. Does it look like a changeover belt, the print is faded or lightly printed maybe, I have seen belts with print like this in stores.