Does A Volkswagen Golf Have A Timing Belt Or Timing Chain?

Volkswagen Golf Belt Or Chain

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.

For example, the 2021 Volkswagen Golf 1.4L Turbo option has a timing belt while the 2021 Volkswagen Golf 2.0L option has a timing chain.

Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Model Years	Engine Option	Timing Belt Or Chain	Interference Or Non-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

Scroll down for detailed information on your particular Volkswagen Golf model year.

Check the belt or chain for other makes and models here.

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.

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. See the data outlined in the table below.

2021 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.4L Turbo	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.0L	timing chain	interference	lifetime

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. See the data outlined in the table below.

2020 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	1.4L Turbo
Belt Or Chain	timing belt
Interference or Non-interference	interference
Replacement Interval	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. See the data outlined in the table below.

2019 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.4L Turbo	timing belt	interference	60k miles
1.8L Turbo	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.0L Turbo	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2018 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf engines have a timing chain and are interference. See the data outlined in the table below.

2018 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.8L Turbo	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.0L Turbo	timing chain	interference	lifetime

2017 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 2017 Volkswagen Golf engines have a timing chain and are interference. See the data outlined in the table below.

2017 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.8L Turbo	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.0L 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. See the data outlined in the table below.

2016 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.8L Turbo	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.0L Turbodiesel	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.0L 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. See the data outlined in the table below.

2015 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.8L Turbo	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.0L Turbodiesel	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.0L 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. See the data outlined in the table below.

2014 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.0L Turbodiesel	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.5L	timing chain	interference	lifetime

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. See the data outlined in the table below.

2013 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.8L Turbo	timing chain	interference	lifetime
2.0L Turbodiesel	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.0L Turbo	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.5L	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. See the data outlined in the table below.

2012 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.0L Turbodiesel	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.0L Turbo	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.5L	timing chain	interference	lifetime

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. See the data outlined in the table below.

2011 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.0L Turbodiesel	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.5L	timing chain	interference	lifetime

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. See the data outlined in the table below.

2010 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.0L Turbodiesel	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.5L	timing chain	interference	lifetime

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. See the data outlined in the table below.

2006 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.8L Turbo	timing belt	interference	60k miles
1.9L Turbodiesel	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.0L	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.8L	timing chain	interference	lifetime

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. See the data outlined in the table below.

2005 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.8L Turbo	timing belt	interference	60k miles
1.9L Turbodiesel	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.0L	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.8L	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.2L	timing chain	interference	lifetime

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. See the data outlined in the table below.

2004 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.8L Turbo	timing belt	interference	60k miles
1.9L Turbodiesel	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.0L	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.8L	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.2L	timing chain	interference	lifetime

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. See the data outlined in the table below.

2003 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.8L Turbo	timing belt	interference	60k miles
1.9L Turbodiesel	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.0L	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.8L	timing chain	interference	lifetime
3.2L	timing chain	interference	lifetime

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. See the data outlined in the table below.

2002 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.8L Turbo	timing belt	interference	60k miles
1.9L Turbodiesel	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.0L	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.8L	timing chain	interference	lifetime

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. See the data outlined in the table below.

2001 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.8L Turbo	timing belt	interference	60k miles
1.9L Turbodiesel	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.0L	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.8L	timing chain	interference	lifetime

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. See the data outlined in the table below.

2000 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.8L Turbo	timing belt	interference	60k miles
1.9L Turbodiesel	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.0L	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.8L	timing chain	interference	lifetime

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. See the data outlined in the table below.

1999 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.9L Turbodiesel	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.0L	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.8L	timing chain	interference	lifetime

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. See the data outlined in the table below.

1998 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.0L	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.8L	timing chain	interference	lifetime

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. See the data outlined in the table below.

1997 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.0L	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.8L	timing chain	interference	lifetime

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. See the data outlined in the table below.

1996 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.0L	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.8L	timing chain	interference	lifetime

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. See the data outlined in the table below.

1995 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
2.0L	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.8L	timing chain	interference	lifetime

1994 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1994 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference. See the data outlined in the table below.

1994 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.8L	timing belt	interference	60k miles
1.9L diesel	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.0L	timing belt	interference	60k miles

1993 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1993 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference. See the data outlined in the table below.

1993 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	2.0L
Belt Or Chain	timing belt
Interference or Non-interference	interference
Replacement Interval	60k miles

1992 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1992 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference. See the data outlined in the table below.

1992 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.8L	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.0L	timing belt	interference	60k miles

1991 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1991 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference. See the data outlined in the table below.

1991 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.8L	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.0L	timing belt	interference	60k miles

1990 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1990 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference. See the data outlined in the table below.

1990 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	Belt Or Chain	Interference or Non-interference	Replacement Interval
1.8L	timing belt	interference	60k miles
2.0L	timing belt	interference	60k miles

1989 Volkswagen Golf - Timing Belt Or Chain

The 1989 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference. See the data outlined in the table below.

1989 Volkswagen Golf Timing Belt Or Chain

Engine Option	1.8L
Belt Or Chain	timing belt
Interference or Non-interference	interference
Replacement Interval	60k miles