VW Timing Belt Replacement
Imagine having a VW timing belt replacement, only to collect your vehicle and find it suddenly refuses to start or run as it should.
That’s exactly the problem Mrs J encountered with her Volkswagen Golf GTE.
Following a cambelt job completed at another garage, her car, which usually drove flawlessly began to struggle to start and idle unevenly – a clear indication of a deeper fault.
With her vehicle undrivable and concerned that the issue could worsen, Mrs J turned to our VW experts at Smith’s of London, Croydon, for help.
Our team were confident they could identify the root cause of the problem and have her Golf GTE running perfectly again.
Our Initial Evaluation – Locating the Issue
At our local independent garage, every repair starts by listening carefully to you.
When Mrs J called our team at Smith’s of London, Croydon, she explained that her VW Golf GTE had become difficult to start and wasn’t idling correctly after a recent timing belt replacement carried out at another garage.
Attempting to drive with a potential timing issue can cause severe internal damage, which in many cases can leave you with extensive repair bills (sometimes in the thousands).
To avoid further damage occurring, we arranged for Mrs J’s Golf GTE to be transported to our garage for a complete inspection.
Before the vehicle arrived, our team contacted the previous repairer to determine which tools were used during the job; however, no details were available.
Understanding how the previous timing belt work was performed helps us see whether the correct Volkswagen tools and procedures were used – vital information when tracing timing-related faults.
Once the Golf GTE was on site, our technicians began a thorough inspection:
- Visual inspection: Checking for loose or disturbed components or signs of previous work.
- System scan: Using dealership-level equipment to identify stored or active fault codes.
- Technical data verification: Comparing results with Volkswagen’s official timing data.
- Baseline assessment: Observing the Golf’s behaviour during controlled start-up tests.
The results of the fault scan revealed a P0016 fault code, confirming that the camshaft and crankshaft were no longer in sync.
In simple terms, the valve timing was out of alignment with the crankshaft’s rotation. Even a minor timing discrepancy can cause rough running, starting issues, or long-term engine damage if not addressed.
If you’re interested in learning more about how a timing belt works, visit our Timing Belt Guide for a full explanation.
As the VW Golf GTE is a hybrid model, precision is critical. The petrol and electric systems depend on accurate timing data to ensure smooth operation and to protect essential components.
With the initial evaluation complete, the next step was a more detailed investigation to determine the cause of the VW Golf GTE P0016 error.
Uncovering the Cause of the VW Golf GTE Timing Belt Issue
Now that our experts had confirmed the P0016 fault was present, our next task was to identify precisely why the camshaft and crankshaft were no longer aligned.
Since the timing belt had been recently changed by another garage, our VW experts began by checking the engine’s mechanical timing to ensure the camshafts and crankshafts rotated together perfectly, just as VW intended.
This seemed the most likely cause of the Golf GTE P0016 error, though other possibilities, such as sensor faults or component alignment errors, hadn’t been ruled out. Our team kept these on the list until the mechanical timing could be verified.
Even a small timing error can disrupt engine balance, leading to hard starts, rough running or costly internal damage if ignored.
Guided by Volkswagen’s official specifications and using the same precision equipment used by main VW dealerships, our team completed a detailed inspection to uncover the cause of the VW Golf GTE P0016 fault.
- Crankshaft locked: The crankshaft was locked at its Top Dead Centre (TDC) position using Volkswagen’s official locking tool.
- Camshaft verified: The camshaft positions were checked against Volkswagen’s official specifications.
- Fine measurements taken: Using the VAS611007 micro-adjustment gauge, our technicians measured the exact camshaft alignment.
Our findings were decisive. The camshaft timing was approximately 30 degrees out, far beyond Volkswagen’s tolerance limit. This explained the hard starting, uneven idling, and engine warning light.
When valve timing shifts, pistons and valves move out of rhythm. Since they operate within millimetres of each other, even slight errors can result in internal damage if left uncorrected.
With the cause confirmed as incorrect valve timing from the previous cambelt installation, the only solution was to strip down and rebuild the system according to Volkswagen’s exact factory standards.
Solving the VW Golf GTE Timing Fault – Restoring Performance
Once our VW experts had confirmed the root cause of the issue, we phoned Mrs J to explain what we’d found and outline the repair plan. At Smith’s of London, we always ensure our customers know exactly what’s required before we begin any work.
With approval given, our VW experts set about restoring the engine’s timing system.
The timing system was completely rebuilt, ensuring that every component, including the crankshaft, camshaft, tensioner, and belt, was accurately aligned to Volkswagen’s precise standards. This level of accuracy is essential when repairing any VW Golf GTE engine timing issue, particularly in hybrid vehicles where both power sources must operate in harmony.
Working through Volkswagen’s official timing belt replacement procedure, our technicians used genuine locking tools and the VAS611007 micro-adjustment gauge to recalibrate the crankshaft and camshaft positions to their exact tolerances.
We also replaced all timing assembly stretch bolts. These single-use bolts stretch once to achieve the correct tension. Reusing them risks long-term movement, and it appeared they had not been changed during the previous VW timing belt replacement.
By installing new stretch bolts and tightening them carefully to the correct torque settings (stated by the VW technical specification), we ensured the timing assembly was perfectly stable.
Once the new belt was fitted and the engine reassembled, every setting was verified against Volkswagen’s factory specifications. The outcome was a precisely timed smooth starting engine, and flawless hybrid performance restored.
Proving the VW Timing Belt Repair Was Successful
After completing the repair, our technicians performed the final and most important stage: validation.
This process ensures that every vehicle leaving Smith’s of London, Croydon, performs exactly as Volkswagen designed.
Our validation process consisted of three essential checks:
- Manual timing confirmation: The crankshaft was rotated several full turns by hand to make sure all timing marks were perfectly aligned and there was no irregular movement.
- Diagnostic confirmation: Using Volkswagen-level diagnostic tools, we verified that the VW P0016 fault code had cleared and that timing readings were fully synchronised.
- Road test: The VW Golf GTE was test-driven to confirm smooth acceleration, precise hybrid operation, and reliable performance.
Each stage confirmed that the VW Golf GTE engine repair had been completed with total precision. The timing was accurate, the hybrid system performed perfectly, and the car was ready for Mrs J to collect.
VW P0016 Fault Code Solved – Precision Recovered
When Mrs J arrived to collect her VW Golf GTE, our team walked her through the completed repair, showing exactly how the fault had been diagnosed and fixed. Using a methodical process, we identified the cause and repaired it right the first time.
Following the repair, the car’s performance spoke for itself. The engine ran smoothly, the warning light disappeared, and the hybrid system was fully restored. Our team helped Mrs J avoid additional costs by providing an accurate, high-quality repair from the outset.
She drove away confident that her Golf GTE was back to its best, running reliably and free from any risk of major engine damage.
For the technicians at Smith’s of London, Croydon, this case demonstrated how experience and precision enabled complex VW Golf GTE engine timing faults to be diagnosed and corrected quickly and accurately.
Need a VW Timing Belt Replacement? Call Smith’s of London Today
If your VW is showing a P0016 fault code, won’t start properly, or runs unevenly after a timing belt replacement, it’s time to have it checked by experienced VW experts.
At Smith’s of London, Croydon, our VW-trained technicians use official Volkswagen technical data and advanced tools to complete every VW Golf GTE engine repair and VW timing belt replacement with precision.
Why Drivers Across Croydon Choose Us
VW owners across Croydon, Beckenham, and Coulsdon trust our experts because:
- 12-month parts and labour guarantee for total peace of mind.
- Repairs completed using Volkswagen-approved tools and data.
- Reliable service trusted by drivers throughout South London.
- Highly skilled VW experts delivering accurate results every time.
Join the {{review-count}} customers who’ve rated us {{average-rating}} stars on Google for expertise, value, and service you can trust.
If your VW is displaying a Golf GTE P0016 fault or showing signs of timing belt trouble, call Smith’s of London, Croydon, today on 020 8674 3377.
Our team will find the fault, fix it right the first time, and have your VW running perfectly again.
