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-   -   VW Polo - Maintenance and Service cost and dos/don'ts (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/technical-stuff/101925-vw-polo-maintenance-service-cost-dos-donts-129.html)

This is a follow up to my earlier post on the matter which I'm writing in the hopes that it becomes of some help to someone in the future.

After evaluating all options, I went ahead with buying the Skoda one. It cost me a total of Rs.1580/- on boodmo and reached me in 3 days. The installation was not difficult, you just have to pry a little to remove the door handle cover and then swap in the new one. Test fitting the new switch gave me great relief as all the functions worked right from the get go.



But as you can see, the LEDs are of a particularly vibrant shade of Skoda green. We need to fix that. On to phase 2 of the plan:-


Disassembly:-




Old switch on top with the broken stalk for the knob and the newer one below. Both PCBs are made by TRW and appear identical. The switch is only held together by 4 clips. I used pry tools from an old phone repair kit I had laying around but any flat head screwdriver will do the job. Also, anyone attempting this should hold the switch upside down while opening it as there are a couple of small metal balls/springs that might get dislodged. Then its just a matter of fitting the top casing of the new switch to the bottom casing of the old switch having the red led PCB. This is the end result:-



The whole thing took me around 15 minutes to do. Everything is working great and for me repairing the ORVM switch was well worth it as it saved me around Rs.3,300/- compared to the alternative.

When does the 1.2 MPI engine need a timing belt change? My Polo is 8.5 years old and has done about 1 lakh km.

There used to be a schedule in car manuals. I don't know why they stopped that, but regret it. Everything was clear!

My Polo is just slightly older than yours, with much less mileage. I had it done a few years ago.

Polo 1.2 MPi (or for that matter the 1.6 MPi) engine gets a timing chain, rather than a timing belt (which the TDi gets). As per VW ASC folks here, the timing chain doesn't have any specified replacement interval. We have two 1.2 MPi Polos in our circle, one has done over 160k km (2013 model), another one is nearing 145k km (2015 model). Both of them are still running on stock timing chain.

Isn't yours a 1.2 TSI Thad? Interesting that they are belt driven while the MPIs got a chain.

The 1.2 MPI is chain driven just like it's other MPI sibling. There is no interval on the chain simply because chains generally give plenty of warning before breaking while a belt will snap off all of a sudden.

Generally, a worn out chain will cause the engine to run very rough, be down on power and have pathetic fuel efficiency. In extreme cases, starting trouble and an error code for camshaft and crankshaft correlation might occur.

As long as oil has been changed on time, these chains can go for 1.3-1.5L km without an issue. Age also doesn't count much in the case of chains as compared to belts which are rubber commodities and age while sitting.

Is the GT TSI 1.2 Turbo (EA 111 ?) a GDI engine ?

Mine's a 1.6 TDI!

I am not sure now, if it is belt or chain. I had been thinking it was belt.

Yes the TSi engines are direct injection with a turbo charger.

It is a belt. Remember mod Gannu who had the timing belt snap in this GT TDI? You better replace it if it is older than 7 years/1 lakh kms

It's a belt for sure. The replacement internal is 90k kmstor 6 years.

DO NOT compromise on this - change it with the water pump set. Chances are the water pump will fail before the belt itself. Which happened to us twice.

I knew that his beloved car has suffered a catastrophic failure, but did not know the exact cause. I had been waiting for his post: did I miss it?

Thanks, both. Don't fear, it has been done.

The accessory belt did not the timing belt.

Haven’t posted the detailed update yet. A lot of them have asked for it but I just couldn’t get to it. Not because I’ve been lazy but somehow I just don’t want to pen it down. I’ll do it. Just don’t ask me when!

The 1.6 TDI has a timing belt. When you change it, please change the pulleys and the water pump too. It used to be at 1.2 lakh km before and VW later changed the interval to 90k km with the locally manufactured 1.5 TDI engines.

Thank you!

Thanks, Gannu. I know it is going to be an upsetting read, so it must be many times more upsetting for you to write. No pressure. If and when you can...

Issue of front wheels got shifted backwards after the suspension overhaul.

Installed front and rear Sachs gas dampers, mounts, steering rack, ball joints, bearings, and other related parts. Used old arms and got the bushes retrofitted in them. Alignment was done.

I can understand the height increase after the new suspension but my main concern is now both side front wheels shifted backwards.

Need help in sorting things out.


See the pictures, top was clicked couple of days before and bottom one is after the suspension install.