Replace timing belt on VW Polo Mk3?

According to Autodata, VW do not have a service interval for timing belt replacement on this vehicle. It is listed as an interference engine however, so if you intend keeping it then it would be wise to replace it.

The water pump is driven by the cam-belt, so replacement would be sensible.

Autodata lists belt replacement time at 1.3 hours for engine code AEX, and 1.6 hours for engine code AFH. Pump replacement adds 0.3 hours to that.

Chris

It would be a very good plan to replace the belt, tensioners and pump. Rubber belts degrade with age, tensioner bearings take in moisture and plastic covered bearings crack up. Water pumps like to be used daily or the bearings rust up and fail. I have seen very low mileage belt failure for all these reasons (on arious cars), the results are horrific, usually a 4 figure repair bill, which usually means an otherwise very good, low mileage car gets scrapped, which I find sad and not environmentally sound.

Yes, definately. Replace the plastic idler & tensioner too.

For years VAG didn't specify cambelt changes [*boggle*]. I had a Scirocco years back, with no chnage interval, changed the belt at about

8-9 years, 55-60k miles, it was cracked half through. In short, yes, change it, and the pump, and the tensioners.

Thanks very much to everyone who replied - all very helpful.

Best regards

David