Hello everyone,

I just wrote a thread regarding the deffective door locks, however, I have got a new problem. I was on an excursion to Bathurst (NSW) yesterday early morning when the car broke down in the middle of nowhere. I had to get the car towed - for over $300.- - and the car now sits in a garage in Central Bathurst (I hope it's still there). The problem is the timing belt, which broke:

I understand that the timing belt itself does cost around the $15-20.- mark, however, there may be a lot of labour involved (at least several hours). Now, I also understand that in the past (i.e. with the Golf Mk1) a broken belt resulted in damaged valves in the engine so I was wondering if that would be still the case with the Polo (it's a 1998). I know the Golf Mk2 did not suffer from this problem. The latter may be an important factor as it will determine the final cost of this.

I am still a student here at Macquarie Uni in Sydney so my financial situation is rather poor as I am not making any money, so I am of course seriously worried right now. Does anyone have some ideas as to the technical situation of this ? How much would you reckon does this cost to fix and is there anyone/ anywhere is Bathurst that could provide me with a fair quote ? The car is at a local garage right now and they will quote me by Wednesday but they don't really seem to know the car at all, hence my post. Bathurst was in lock down yesterday so I returned to Sydney to organise something from there ... plus I don't know anyone out there nor that many people in Sydney as I only came to Australia about a year ago ...

Any suggestions or ideas would be very highly appreciated !! Public transport where I live is extremely poor and I now rely heavily on that car to get to job interviews etc. I have never been in such a situation before so this is all a bit new to me ...

A big thank you in advance and of course a very happy new year 2008 !!

- Nick

P.S. the car had just been serviced two weeks ago and nothing was detected !!

If the car had just been serviced , they should have checked the service history and informed u that the belt was overdue, the timing belt job on an early Polo like yours is an easy job , bout 2.5hrs. valves should be ok ?

Hello mate, yeah, you're right. They didn't check the service book though as it was more like a minor service. I suppose they could have given it a quick look though.

I hope you're right about that. However, I was just told that the valves were probably bent and the fun part seems to be the price of rectifying the damage which may cost well over $1700.- Unless someone on here knows better ...

Cheers.

Hello again,

it happended as I was going downhill and shifted from neutral into 5th gear when the road started to slightly climb again, but very gently ! I was doing around 70kms/h. I am not sure about the engine code. It's just the regular 75hp engine that was sold here in Australia at the time. I am seriously depressed right now. I only put 2000 kilometres on the car since I bought it and now this !

Is it true that the Golf Mk2 does not have this problem ? These things happen all the time and never anything has to be replaced but the timing belt.

before you start spending sh*t loads of cash, have the belt swapped then do a compression test, that will tell you how many- if any valves are bent with out ripping the head off.

when the belt snapped was there a sudden bang and everything stopped?
was there a clattering sound as you slowwed down?
was there total loss of power and NO noises??

the answer is there somewhere!

doubt that the service place would've looked at the history anyways.. most ONLY do what you tell em to do and no more. that would take thinking. they would've assumed that all previous services had been done unless you tell them that it's not the case.

i would think that there would be at least some internal damage to valves etc.

Probably no bent valves, just take the valve cover off you will soon know then

If its a 1.4, they do not free spin, I have done one that broke, and it bent 7 of the 8 valves...

Its fairly common that people just get the 'minor' services done, and then when it changes hands people presume the major stuff has been done. As you say, its a $15 part. When I began servicing new customer's cars, unless it was documented that the timing belt had been done, and I would also check, I always recommended fitting a new one, so you know where you are at.
All good in hindsight I know!

He already said its a 1998 Polo therfore 1.6 single cam , read the post.
Valves should be ok.

G'day people,

Hello Brian, yes, it's a 1.6 ! I didn't think they sold any other types in Australia. Made in Feb. '98. Will look up that number ... if it's in the manual ...

VW Jon, you may be right about this !! I may have possibly prevented the worse by switching off the engine and by pulling over straight away ! (that is my guess) Basically, when I shifted back into 5th gear (on even ground), the engine started to get somewhat loud and it felt like I was going in 3rd gear at 70kms/h. I at first thought I had the wrong gear - which would be the first time - , went back in neutral and straight back into 5th gear, with the same result. Hence, the car did slow down, however, within seconds I swithed off the engine and pulled straight over. It did not seem like there was any clattering. The battery as well as the oil icon illuminated at that stage and some beeping tone came up. Hope this helps ! What's your thoughts ?

P.S. the car is at a local garage in Bathurst, no clue what they'll be doing to it, all I know is they may be quoting me. I told them not to touch anything until I get back out there.

Thank's so much people for reading this ! Happy New Year !!

If you like I can sent the wife over, shes well able to drive with any and all lights on the dash and has special hearing that blocks out any strange noises ... new belt, oil and eBay ... get something air-cooled instead, in fact a bus, as student you can live in it too and save some cash. Bummer to hear about, great to see som many positive responses so early in the year from the crowd. Good work people, hope it works out for you.

let's just hope they're okay !!

G'day people,

I thought you all deserve an update for all the support you have given me ...

following up on my previous thread, the bloke from the garage just called me back, it may not be as grave as thought (thank's to the 1.6 litre engine). He was talking about how the waterpump got smashed when the belt snapped etc but reckons $500-600.- if he can re-use some of the older parts that are already in the car. I suppose that this is lucky. He is ordering everything in today so the car could be ready tomorrow night if the parts come in during the morning.
However, since the car has already travelled 130.000k's, he indicated that he may not be able to re-use the necessary parts due to age and in regards to the latter, I may not see the car until January the 27th or later. I just hope they made that Polo bloody tough enough so that the parts can be re-used.

Thank's for your support everyone !

That is about right

I paid just under $700 for my Golf Mk 4 to have timing belt and water pump replaced at a 100,000km service

good to find an honest random mechanic too!

yes chaps, this does sound like a fair deal. I can't wait to get my car back ! Four days without has been tough enough !

Cab: The lock cylinder will be $150.- btw.

G'day, I've got very bad news ... the mechanic just changed his mind about the valves today and decided to get back to me this morning, saying it would be at least a $1500.- job. He has provided me with a detailed break-up of what he would do ... apparently valves one and two have no compression. I'll post it on here for general interest or future reference (in case anyone of you are or will be in the same situation one day).

Please find cost estimate as follows

Labour to date: Removal of broken timing belt, fit new water pump, cam shaft seal, crank shaft seal and new timing belt. Carry out compression test, found No. 1 & 2 cylindes have no compression. Labour - $205 inc GST


To R&R the cylinder head, have repairs to bent valves carried out, estimate 4 valves be replaced, replace gaskets, add coolant and road test. Labour Cost $450 inc


Parts Cost:-
Estimated Valve Cost $100
Estimated head Repairs $160
VRS Set $220
Freight $25
Water Pump $125
Timing Belt $79
Seals $54
Coolant $35
Workshop $25

Total $1500 estimate only

- Nick

Hi,
the car will be virtually worthless if its not fixed...
plus You shouldn't have any problems after that....

The Timing belt should have been replaced by 130,000
kms... Most cars are either 60,000 or 100,000 kms...

the bent valves could have damaged the head and pistons etc...

so it sounds like the mechanic is doing a complete overhaul

You have good luck its not a 16 valve engine with twin camshafts etc...

Lee

$1500? u should be able to get a 2nd hand engine for half that
but if u have to get the mechanic to fit it, cost would prob add up around the same as fixing ur current engine

I also thought that...

but a used engine would also need a new timing belt....

Lee

Hello Lee,

you think? I wonder if that will potentially increase the selling price. My definition of luck would have just about been the $500.- situation. Not to mention the $300 towing fee ...

I haven't given the garage the job yet ... was hoping to negotiate at least the repair of the door lock ...

- Nick

oh bugger.. good luck with the 'getting back on the road' senario..

$1500 although a disaster in your case is not too bad considering what has to be done, that is the cost on a lot of cars just to replace the belt, ie those Chrysler PT cruiser things have to have the motor removed to do it apparently. Good luck, only way out financially that may be suitable is to repair car & then sell it with receipts if you can afford the cost short term, but as previously said the same thing could happen with the next car you buy, it is not uncommon these days & reson why many cars are for sale around a 100k mark on odometer

G'day Kim,

that sounds about right. The thing is, all the problems the car had were not the fault of the car, yet the fault of previous owners as well as wear and tear. I loved that car, still I have to get in debt to pay for the upcoming bill. I don't want to sell, however, I do regret having given up my Golf Mk2. These older cars are just so much easier to fix and far more reliable. I am just afraid that he will ask for far more money than his quote in the end, claiming that there was more labour involved or something.

Thank's for your support, people !

the door lock sounds expensive..

although I'd hate to have to replace a beetle one
inside the door....

Sounds like the parts pricing is OK...
as many timing belts cost $75 ++

Lee

fixing that Polo door lock should not exeed one hour of labour, should it ? I think the parts are only around the $45.- mark. Hence the labour must be the most expensive part of the problem. The problem is that the central door locking has stopped working also, simultaniously, along with the bloody lock. Hopefully everything will be fixed by next week.

Cheers people !

What cars are some of you driving by the way? If you own vintage cars, a trip to Europe (Germany in particular) is highly recommended! They've got heaps of parts at really low prices !

A bit late but here ya go...Nick1234 join NRMA PLUS and they may allow the car to be carried hme (even if u joined at the Mo! of the the event /or workshop nr u ) It's really worthwhile to pay that extra $42 or so (or get someone to give it to u as a gift instead of perfume etc!!!) the trip home allows u to get home with the car and choose your repairer esp if u are away from hme more then 100kms!!! save on fuel to get back pays twds the PLUS card.
so good for students I just got it for my daughter.
ps i was a student at bathurst and Macquarie(?) Uni looooooooong ago lol
email me if u u need more info. B