MK6 Golf TDI

[jets]

After successfully completing a timing belt change on an 2012 model with the CFFB engine, I would like to pass on the following observations.
This car was purchased by my daughter in law from the original purchaser @ around 100k several years ago. The previous owner tried to sell the car saying you don't need to worry about a timing belt change as this model has a chain.
I was able to quickly prove to him that this was incorrect knowing it was almost identical to the CR engine in my Tiguan.
The car now has 149,000 ks. & for a number of reasons the belt change was put off until last week when the coolant pump couldn't hang on any longer with quite a bit of coolant leaking from the seal. I will add, that we looked a few times at the cond. of the belt during this time to see if it still would last a little longer.
As well as the timing belt kit with water pump, I bought a new aux. multirib belt figuring that by now it must be well worn.
This belt was first to be removed & it looked like new so it was returned back to the engine knowing it can be easily replaced in the future. The belt on my T4 needed to be replaced soon after purchase @ from memory around 100,000 Ks.
Well the timing belt on the tooth side also looked as new & the various idlers & pulleys & bearings were near new.
Even the coolant pump bearing was very good.
My conclusions with the way the car is given similar operating conditions, my 09 Tig. timing belt change will not be changed until around the same mileage unless it suffers coolant leakage or visible belt wear or noise. I will also mention that I replaced the timing belt kit on my 06 Golf BKD engine many K's & years later than recommended & every thing was good including no coolant leaks.
There are lots of other things I could say about the belt change but to keep this post shorter the purpose is to say in my experience the VW recommendations are quite conservative.

[Hillbilly]

There are lots of other things I could say about the belt change but to keep this post shorter the purpose is to say in my experience the VW recommendations are quite conservative.

That maybe so but for most who cant do it themselves its far better to do it the month before rather than the day after it breaks

[carpy]

Original belt change for CFFB engine was specified at 210000 klm's. Unfortunately the coolant pump didn't know this so I changed every thing early but like you everything else seemed as new at 80000 klm's. Interesting that early marketing by Continental branded these original belts as Conti Belt For Life. Other than normal service items the coolant pump is the only extra cost I've had in 12 years. Still have original brakes with only minimal wear. (Highway driving mostly).

[jets]

I came across this You-Tube for the TDI diesel in the Mk6 that I found interesting if you own your VW for the long haul.
VW Golf MK6 ALL Diesel Engine Issues 2008-2013 - YouTube.
Note his recommendation for timing belt change period.

Part way through he mentions the CBAB up to 2009 that is in my Tiguan also & was of interest to me.
My daughter in law's car has the CFFB engine that may apply to most MK6 Golfs in Aust.