Cracked Timing Belt: Causes & Replacement

After the last inspection, I received the following note on the invoice:
Timing belt is cracked.
The belt is now approximately 4 years old and has been driven for 55,000 km. It was actually supposed to be replaced after 90,000 km.

I haven't had a chance to review it myself yet, but if it's true, I'll probably have to make a change sooner than expected.

The first belt lasted its 90,000 km (although it was originally specified for only 60,000 km) without any cracks and still looked new when it was replaced.

Now, I wanted to ask if anyone else has made similar observations.

The belt has the part number 119D (for ALH engine).

Holger247 wrote:

After the last inspection, I received the following note on the invoice: Timing belt is cracked. The belt is now approximately 4 years old and has been driven for 55,000 km. It was actually supposed to be replaced after 90,000 km. I haven't had the opportunity to review it myself yet, but if it's true, I probably won't be able to avoid an early change.

I would definitely check it myself as quickly as possible!

"Rissig" can mean all sorts of things (location, depth, and length of the cracks...), as long as you don't adhere to a strict definition.

It's possibly just an attempt to sell an unnecessary timing chain replacement .

ulf wrote:

It's quite possible that it's just an attempt to sell an unnecessary timing chain replacement.

Or they recently experienced a premature timing belt failure, and their lawyer advised them to use this standard phrase .

Check it out, and if the belt isn't in new condition, I'll replace it. You won't be able to get anything from them anymore if something goes wrong.

Perhaps they were only referring to the serpentine belt. If the timing belt was actually torn, they should have shown it to you and not simply handed over the vehicle without explanation.

Short update:

I had examined the belt myself. It had some minor cracks running perpendicular to the direction of travel.
I had the belt replaced as a precaution, at the ridiculously low price of 560 euros.

Safety is paramount. By the way, why "have it changed" instead of just "change it"? I had once decided not to do any more work on my car until I had a TDI. I think EUR 560 is a bit expensive.

Yes, I had also planned to change it myself or with a friend who had already done it before.
Unfortunately, I don't have much time at the moment, and neither does the acquaintance, so it didn't work out. Also, I'm not really enjoying the Golf IV; it's completely messed up.

Hello, I have a quick question.
The timing belt replacement interval for the mentioned model (GIV ALH, manufactured in 1998) is 60,000 km - or is it? Everything else, such as 90,000 km, is 'at your own risk' - that's what the workshop told me when I asked about the extended intervals with a different, new timing belt.

Apparently, the longer maintenance intervals are only possible due to a new timing belt and a modified roller guide system, and this is supposedly not feasible on the 'older models.'

If that's the case, I would appreciate a brief update.
Best regards, Ron.

However, the Golf IV is also not a joy to drive; it's totally ridiculously assembled.

If everything were as simple as the timing belt on a Golf 4 .

Allegedly, the longer maintenance intervals are only possible due to a new timing belt and a modified roller guide, and this is not feasible for the 'older models.'

That's how I'm used to it. The new system cannot be used for older models.

Regarding the switching interval:

Initially, the planned maintenance interval was 90,000 km, but it was later reduced to 60,000 km at the start of production. When my car reached 60,000 km, I asked the dealer, and he showed me a current document with maintenance intervals, which indicated that the interval had been extended even for existing vehicles.
This was the case with the ALH, but I believe it was different with the early AJMs.

The first belt definitely lasted 90,000 km, and the second belt is now showing signs of cracking.

Well, maintenance intervals aside.

Even though it's not my favorite thing to do, I would replace that belt. There's nothing more frustrating than seeing a belt about to tear when you already know it looks bad. The last belt I changed, at 93,000 km, showed no signs of cracking on the surface, but I felt relieved, almost as much as my wallet felt lighter...