2001 Volkswagen GTI CAM BELT

2001 VOLKSWAGEN GTI
120,000 MILES • V8 • 2WD • MANUAL
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TOBY TUCKER
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WE HAD OUR CAM BELT CHANGED 8 MONTHS AGO WITH FULL OIL CHANGE ETC...
THE CAR CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP ON THE MOTORWAY LAST WEEK AND AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE GARAGE WAS TOLD IT WAS INDEED THE CAM BELT AND IF THIS WAS THE CASE THEY WOULD COVER THE COSTS HAVING ONLY JUST HAD IT CHANGED. WE HAVE NOW HEARD BACK FROM THE GARAGE STATING IT IS WEAR AND TEAR ON THE CAM SHAFT THAT CAUSED THE CAM BELT TO BREAK AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THESE COSTS. DOES THIS SOUND CORRECT AND SHOULD THIS HAVE BEEN CHECKED WHEN CHANGING THE CAM BELT AS WHAT IS THE POINT IN REPLACING THE BELT IF SOMETHING ELSE WILL BREAK IT ANYWAY? PLEASE HELP!!
Jun 8, 2009 at 12:46 PM
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BSCHURR
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The wear on the cam itself would definitely been noticeable & should have been brought to your attention when the belt was replaced. Also along with the belt VW recommends that new tensioners be installed. Was that done? Another possible reason for the failure could have been during the removal of the old belt the gear bolted to the cam slipped a tooth in turn causing cam damage. Unfortunately once the cam is damaged it tends to damage the entire head & often needs replaced.
Jun 17, 2009 at 4:23 AM