Timing/Idler Belt VW Golf

Have a 00 1.4 Golf.

Timing Belt was marked as done on 38K when I bought it. Mileage now 75K.

Driving home the other day and engine just died. No noises or clunks, just cut out.

Turns out the Idler Belt snapped. Mechanic says all the teeth on the rubber were shorn off.

I understand that when the timing belt goes it can ruin the pistons and valves but the timing belt is still fine. Its the Idler belt (exhaust cam? Is this correct?)

Will this affect the timing?

Can the idler belt just be replaced?

Basically the mechanic is telling me that it could cost €1500 if all the valves and pistons are bent. Thats worst case scenario.

Best case scenario is about €300-€400 for a new timing belt kit, but thats no guarantee that the pistons and valves have not been damaged.

The car is only worth about €1K. I certainly dont want to shell out €1.5 to get it fixed.

However, I also dont want to spend €400 to chance it with a new belt to see if it works?

Is there any way by just fitting a new idler belt it can be turned over to see if any damage done?

Cheers for any advice

Mechanic should be able to just put a belt on it and time it up. Even if he has to get a second hand idle roller / tensioner from a scrap yard just to test. At least that way he can turn over engine and test for compression and know if valves are bent etc. A belt on its own is only a few quid but there is labour involved in doing it.

Sadly I would be very surprised if damage is not done as these are interference engines.

Talk to other garages they may be able to test for compression without turning engine over. Always worth another opinion.

Thanks MFK. He has got a new cam belt and timing belt and is going to fit both to see if any damage done.

Fingers crossed but not expecting good news

Just remember that if the rest of the car is good it may be cheaper to put a second hand head on it than trying to replace bent valves etc

The rest of the car is great. its 11 years old and only 70000 miles on it. Only problem is its only worth about a grand and if damage is done itl probably cost that to fix it

What was the Outcome

What was the outcome - the exact same thing happened to me ( Golf Just died - no noise - timing belt intact - electronics all OK - machanic going to change belt any way but reckons it the idler or something like that )
Was there any damage to pistons etc...?????

I'm not sure who's advising you on maintenance schedules, but timing belts, auxiliary bets, idlers, tensioners and water pumps on most VAG engines of that era are scheduled for change every 4 years irrespective of mileage, or at 80k mileswhich ever comes first. The rubber / nylon compounds the belts are made from have shelf lives < 4 years

The end result was that it wasnt economically viable for me to get the car fixed.

3 or 4 pistons were badly damaged. Head needed skimming etc. Car was only worth about €1K and it was going to cost €1200 to fix.

It was unfortunate. Belt had been changed at 35K when I bought the car 3 years previously.