Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Timing Chain (1989 - 2021)

From 1989 to 2021 the Volkswagen Golf either has an engine with a timing belt or with a timing chain depending on the model and trim level. However, all of its engines are interference from 1989 to 2021.

A combustion engine relies on either a timing belt or timing chain to maintain the proper timing and distance between its pistons and the intake valves and exhaust valves in the combustion chamber.

An old or damaged timing belt is prone to failure, which could lead to catastrophic engine damage and an expensive repair bill. A timing chain is less prone to failure but should still be inspected by a licensed mechanic once the engine has 60,000 or more miles.

It is generally recommended to change the timing belt starting at 60,000 miles, whereas a timing chain is usually good for the life of the vehicle.

Scroll down for the timing belt data for your particular Volkswagen Golf.

Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain (2016 - 2021)
Year Engine Belt Or Chain Interference Service Interval
2021 1.4L Turbo timing belt interference 60k miles
2021 2.0L timing chain interference lifetime miles
2020 1.4L Turbo timing belt interference lifetime miles
2019 1.4L Turbo timing belt interference 60k miles
2019 1.8L Turbo timing chain interference lifetime miles
2019 2.0L Turbo timing chain interference lifetime miles
2018 1.8L Turbo timing chain interference lifetime miles
2018 2.0L Turbo timing chain interference lifetime miles
2017 1.8L Turbo timing chain interference lifetime miles
2017 2.0L Turbo timing chain interference lifetime miles
2016 1.8L Turbo timing chain interference lifetime miles
2016 2.0L Turbodiesel timing belt interference 60k miles
2016 2.0L Turbo timing chain interference lifetime miles
Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain (2010 - 2015)
Year Engine Belt Or Chain Interference Service Interval
2015 1.8L Turbo timing chain interference lifetime miles
2015 2.0L Turbodiesel timing belt interference 60k miles
2015 2.0L Turbo timing chain interference lifetime miles
2014 2.0L Turbodiesel timing belt interference 60k miles
2014 2.5L timing chain interference lifetime miles
2013 1.8L Turbo timing chain interference lifetime miles
2013 2.0L Turbodiesel timing belt interference 60k miles
2013 2.0L Turbo timing belt interference 60k miles
2013 2.5L timing chain interference lifetime miles
2012 2.0L Turbodiesel timing belt interference 60k miles
2012 2.0L Turbo timing belt interference 60k miles
2012 2.5L timing chain interference lifetime miles
2011 2.0L Turbodiesel timing belt interference 60k miles
2011 2.5L timing chain interference lifetime miles
2010 2.0L Turbodiesel timing belt interference 60k miles
2010 2.5L timing chain interference lifetime miles
Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain (2001 - 2006)
Year Engine Belt Or Chain Interference Service Interval
2006 1.8L Turbo timing belt interference 60k miles
2006 1.9L Turbodiesel timing belt interference 60k miles
2006 2.0L timing belt interference 60k miles
2006 2.8L timing chain interference lifetime miles
2005 1.8L Turbo timing belt interference 60k miles
2005 1.9L Turbodiesel timing belt interference 60k miles
2005 2.0L timing belt interference 60k miles
2005 2.8L timing chain interference lifetime miles
2005 3.2L timing chain interference lifetime miles
2004 1.8L Turbo timing belt interference 60k miles
2004 1.9L Turbodiesel timing belt interference 60k miles
2004 2.0L timing belt interference 60k miles
2004 2.8L timing chain interference lifetime miles
2004 3.2L timing chain interference lifetime miles
2003 1.8L Turbo timing belt interference 60k miles
2003 1.9L Turbodiesel timing belt interference 60k miles
2003 2.0L timing belt interference 60k miles
2003 2.8L timing chain interference lifetime miles
2003 3.2L timing chain interference lifetime miles
2002 1.8L Turbo timing belt interference 60k miles
2002 1.9L Turbodiesel timing belt interference 60k miles
2002 2.0L timing belt interference 60k miles
2002 2.8L timing chain interference lifetime miles
2001 1.8L Turbo timing belt interference 60k miles
2001 1.9L Turbodiesel timing belt interference 60k miles
2001 2.0L timing belt interference 60k miles
2001 2.8L timing chain interference lifetime miles
Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain (1994 - 2000)
Year Engine Belt Or Chain Interference Service Interval
2000 1.8L Turbo timing belt interference 60k miles
2000 1.9L Turbodiesel timing belt interference 60k miles
2000 2.0L timing belt interference 60k miles
2000 2.8L timing chain interference lifetime miles
1999 1.9L Turbodiesel timing belt interference 60k miles
1999 2.0L timing belt interference 60k miles
1999 2.8L timing chain interference lifetime miles
1998 2.0L timing belt interference 60k miles
1998 2.8L timing chain interference lifetime miles
1997 2.0L timing belt interference 60k miles
1997 2.8L timing chain interference lifetime miles
1996 2.0L timing belt interference 60k miles
1996 2.8L timing chain interference lifetime miles
1995 2.0L timing belt interference 60k miles
1995 2.8L timing chain interference lifetime miles
1994 1.8L timing belt interference 60k miles
1994 1.9L diesel timing belt interference 60k miles
1994 2.0L timing belt interference 60k miles
Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain (1989 - 1993)
Year Engine Belt Or Chain Interference Service Interval
1993 2.0L timing belt interference 60k miles
1992 1.8L timing belt interference 60k miles
1992 2.0L timing belt interference 60k miles
1991 1.8L timing belt interference 60k miles
1991 2.0L timing belt interference 60k miles
1990 1.8L timing belt interference 60k miles
1990 2.0L timing belt interference 60k miles
1989 1.8L timing belt interference 60k miles

MyBestVehicle.com is a website designed to quickly find data and specs on your particular vehicle.

Consult with the vehicle's owner's manual or a licensed mechanic to confirm the engine type in your car.

Timing belt replacements can be expensive, but if a timing belt fails it will leave you stranded on the road and could damage your engine beyond repair.

When replacing a timing belt, it is normal to replace the water pump and belt tensioner while they are easily accessible.