2006 Polo 1.2 3 cylinder BMD is cambelt or camchain?

[stratman7]

Hi,

My wife has a 2006 VW Polo 1.2 (3 cylinder engine - I think it's engine code may be BMD??) - is it cambelt or camchain? Car has done circa 51k and has never had a belt (or chain) replacement (which I understand should have been done at 4 years or 60k). Main dealer has never suggested replacement but car is now due for service and I was going to ask about it. Given that the engine fairly recently had a new head due to worn valve guides, something that I understand could have been avoided by more timely intervention, I'm not too impressed with the dealership and would like to know a bit more about it myself to try and avoid getting mugged (again!). Any advice regarding potential costs/pitfalls - and if it really needs to be done(!) would be gratefully received. Thanks.

[Guest 2]

Going by a quick google search it's chain driven.

Would you not be better taking the car to a VW Specialist given its age?

[stratman7]

Thanks for the response it's been maintained by a VW main dealer is that what you mean by "VW Specialist" but at no time in it's 8 year service life has the camchain been mentioned regarding renewal. Does it need to be replaced in the same way as a cambelt? I don't have too much faith in the dealer as I believe they previously misinterpreted a fault code/low cylinder pressure that lead to a new head being required!

[lithgow]

Hi There

I have a 2003 polo 1.2 with the 3 cylinder engine, they do have a chain as opposed to a belt. In theory the chain is 'for life' and according to VW's own documentation should not need to be replaced during the life of the engine. The problem is that they are very fussy about oil change intervals and on that basis can cause problems. If the oil is changed regularly then the chain should last no problem but if you are unsure of the cars service history then it might require a chain. As a general rule though you should be able to hear if the chain is noisy when the engine is running. If it rattles at all at any engine speed I would get it changed. It's not cheap but a lot cheaper than a new engine if the chain slips or breaks as it can destroy the valves and pistons depending on the engine speed when it breaks. If the engine runs quietly, then I would say you are OK but it is essential the oil is changed at the proper intervals.