# Timing Belt for VW Golf **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [May 26, 2014, 6:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-for-vw-golf/85183 "2014-05-26T18:18:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![2002vwgolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/7993a0/32.png) [@2002vwgolf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/2002vwgolf)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 6:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-for-vw-golf/85183/1 "2014-05-26T18:18:09Z")
I’m in a unique position of getting a 2002 Golf with just 59,000 miles. Should I be worried about timing belt? It’s old but not a lot of miles. Any consensus as to what to do? Many thanks in advance from a new member! ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 6:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-for-vw-golf/85183/2 "2014-05-26T18:32:50Z")
Rubber items–including timing belts–deteriorate just from aging. That is why the replacement schedule for those belts is always expressed in both odometer mileage and elapsed time, with a “whichever comes first” proviso, such as…_Every 105k miles or 8 years, whichever comes first._ So, if that timing belt has never been replaced, it is probably about 4 years overdue, and should be replaced before it snaps and causes very expensive engine damage. And, as I always suggest with used cars, if there are no maintenance records available, you have to assume that no maintenance has ever been done. I would suggest taking a look at the maintenance lists for both 90k miles and 120k miles, and having everything on those lists done a.s.a.p. ---
**Author:** ![missileman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/missileman/32/1366_2.png) [@missileman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/missileman)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 6:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-for-vw-golf/85183/3 "2014-05-26T18:44:35Z")
Agree with VDCdriver … if this was my car, I would change the timing belt right after I bought it including the water pump if there was no valid maintenance receipt. ---
**Author:** ![jesmed1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jesmed1/32/2097_2.png) [@jesmed1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jesmed1)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 6:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-for-vw-golf/85183/4 "2014-05-26T18:46:36Z")
Yup, I would change it immediately, along with the water pump.The low mileage, paradoxically, makes it likely the previous owner did less regular maintenance. I would also change all fluids: Coolant Transmission (especially if automatic) Oil ---
**Author:** ![lion9car](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@lion9car](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lion9car)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 7:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-for-vw-golf/85183/5 "2014-05-26T19:20:48Z")
Most of us don’t have your owner’s manual handy. Please tell us what it says and we’ll go from there. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2014, 8:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-for-vw-golf/85183/6 "2014-05-26T20:33:11Z")
After 12 years, it is due to be replaced if you can’t verify if it was replaced before. I would do it ASAP since you never know when it will give out. Any of the 3 engines available are interference engines, and if the belt breaks, you might as well walk away from it since it will cost a lot to fix. Way more than the $800 or so it will cost to do it now. ---
**Author:** ![2002vwgolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/2/7993a0/32.png) [@2002vwgolf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/2002vwgolf)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 12:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-for-vw-golf/85183/7 "2014-05-29T00:01:19Z")
Thanks to everyone for your input. Sounds like the smart move is to do the timing belt and water pump. Genuinely appreciate your help! ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2014, 4:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-for-vw-golf/85183/8 "2014-05-29T04:23:21Z")
At 12 years, the safest method is to replace the timing belt. If replacing is just economically unfeasible, then at least have the timing belt, tensioner, and water pump visually inspected. ---
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2014, 12:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/timing-belt-for-vw-golf/85183/9 "2014-05-30T00:19:15Z")
If the belt breaks, your engine will be destroyed. Any solution would cost more than the car is worth.