Volkswagen Golf: Timing Belt Or Timing Chain? (1989 - 2024)

The Volkswagen Golf has had both timing belts and timing chains over it's lifespan. Check the table below to see the data for your model year.

Scroll down to see detailed timing belt data for your particular model year of the Volkswagen Golf.

Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Year	Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference
2022 – 2024	2.0L Gas Golf R	Timing Chain	Interference
2019 - 2021	1.4L	Timing Belt	Interference
2015 - 2021	2.0L Gas	Timing Chain	Interference
2010 - 2016	2.0L Diesel	Timing Belt	Interference
2010 - 2014	2.5L	Timing Chain	Interference
2013, 2015 - 2019	1.8L	Timing Chain	Interference
1989 - 1992, 1994, 2000 - 2006	1.8L	Timing Belt	Interference
1994, 1999 - 2006	1.9L Diesel	Timing Belt	Interference
1990 - 2006	2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference

Check out the Belt Or Chain specifications for other makes and models.

2024 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf R 2.0L engine has a timing chain and is interference.

2024 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.0L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

2023 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2023 Volkswagen Golf R 2.0L engine has a timing chain and is interference.

2023 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.0L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

2022 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf R 2.0L engine has a timing chain and is interference.

2022 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.0L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

2021 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf with a 1.4L Turbo engine has a timing belt while the 2.0L engine has a timing chain. Both have an interference engine.

2021 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.0L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
1.4L Turbo	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

2020 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2020 Volkswagen Golf with a 1.4L Turbo engine has a timing belt and an interference engine.

2020 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
1.4L Turbo	Timing Belt	Interference	Lifetime

2019 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2019 Volkswagen Golf with a 1.4L turbo engine has a timing belt while the 1.8L and 2.0L turbo engines have a timing chain. All have an interference engine.

2019 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.0L Turbo	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
1.8L Turbo	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
1.4L Turbo	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

2018 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf engines have a timing chain and are interference.

2018 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.0L Turbo	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
1.8L Turbo	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

2017 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2017 Volkswagen Golf engines have a timing chain and are interference.

2017 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.0L Turbo	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
1.8L Turbo	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

2016 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2016 Volkswagen Golf 1.8L and 2.0L gas engines have timing chains while the 2.0L diesel has a timing belt. All are interference.

2016 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.0L Turbo	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L Turbodiesel	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.8L Turbo	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

2015 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2015 Volkswagen Golf 1.8L and 2.0L gas engines have timing chains while the 2.0L diesel has a timing belt. All are interference.

2015 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.0L Turbo	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L Turbodiesel	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.8L Turbo	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

2014 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2014 Volkswagen Golf 2.5L gas engines have timing chains while the 2.0L diesel has a timing belt. Both are interference.

2014 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.5L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L Turbodiesel	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

2013 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2013 Volkswagen Golf 2.5L and 1.8L engines have timing chains while the 2.0L engines has a timing belt. All are interference.

2013 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.5L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L Turbo	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
2.0L Turbodiesel	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.8L Turbo	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime

2012 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2012 Volkswagen Golf 2.5L engines have timing chains while the 2.0L engines has a timing belt. All are interference.

2012 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.5L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L Turbo	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
2.0L Turbodiesel	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

2011 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2011 Volkswagen Golf 2.5L engines have timing chains while the 2.0L engines has a timing belt. All are interference.

2011 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.5L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L Turbodiesel	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

2010 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2010 Volkswagen Golf 2.5L engines have timing chains while the 2.0L engines has a timing belt. All are interference.

2010 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.5L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L Turbodiesel	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

2006 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2006 Volkswagen Golf 1.8L, 1.9L and 2.0L engines have timing belts while the 2.8L has a timing chain. All are interference.

2006 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.8L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.9L Turbodiesel	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.8L Turbo	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

2005 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2005 Volkswagen Golf 1.8L, 1.9L and 2.0L engines have timing belts while the 2.8L and 3.2L engines have a timing chain. All are interference.

2005 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
3.2L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.8L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.9L Turbodiesel	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.8L Turbo	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

2004 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2004 Volkswagen Golf 1.8L, 1.9L and 2.0L engines have timing belts while the 2.8L and 3.2L engines have a timing chain. All are interference.

2004 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
3.2L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.8L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.9L Turbodiesel	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.8L Turbo	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

2003 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2003 Volkswagen Golf 1.8L, 1.9L and 2.0L engines have timing belts while the 2.8L and 3.2L engines have a timing chain. All are interference.

2003 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
3.2L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.8L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.9L Turbodiesel	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.8L Turbo	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

2002 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2002 Volkswagen Golf 1.8L, 1.9L and 2.0L engines have timing belts while the 2.8L engines have a timing chain. All are interference.

2002 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.8L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.9L Turbodiesel	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.8L Turbo	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

2001 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2001 Volkswagen Golf 1.8L, 1.9L and 2.0L engines have timing belts while the 2.8L engines have a timing chain. All are interference.

2001 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.8L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.9L Turbodiesel	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.8L Turbo	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

2000 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2000 Volkswagen Golf 1.8L, 1.9L and 2.0L engines have timing belts while the 2.8L engines have a timing chain. All are interference.

2000 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.8L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.9L Turbodiesel	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.8L Turbo	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

1999 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1999 Volkswagen Golf 1.9L and 2.0L engines have timing belts while the 2.8L engines have a timing chain. All are interference.

1999 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.8L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.9L Turbodiesel	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

1998 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1998 Volkswagen Golf 2.0L engines have timing belts while the 2.8L engines have a timing chain. All are interference.

1998 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.8L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

1997 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1997 Volkswagen Golf 2.0L engines have timing belts while the 2.8L engines have a timing chain. All are interference.

1997 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.8L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

1996 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1996 Volkswagen Golf 2.0L engines have timing belts while the 2.8L engines have a timing chain. All are interference.

1996 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.8L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

1995 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1995 Volkswagen Golf 2.0L engines have timing belts while the 2.8L engines have a timing chain. All are interference.

1995 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.8L	Timing Chain	Interference	Lifetime
2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

1994 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1994 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference.

1994 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.9L diesel	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.8L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

1993 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1993 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference.

1993 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

1992 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1992 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference.

1992 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.8L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

1991 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1991 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference.

1991 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.8L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

1990 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1990 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference.

1990 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
2.0L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k
1.8L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

1989 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1989 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference.

1989 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-Interference	Replacement Interval (miles)
1.8L	Timing Belt	Interference	60k

Timing Belt Basics

The primary purpose of the timing belt or timing chain is to maintain the timing (syncronization) between the crankshaft and the camshaft(s).

A timing belt is made of a rubber compound while a timing chain is made of chain similiar to a bicycle chain.

A timing belt wears out over time and must be replaced at the manufacturer's specified interval. Timing belt failure can result in serious engine damage.

Although a timing chain will wear over time it is usually good for the lifetime of the engine but it should be routinely inspected.