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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.
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.
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.
Timing Belt Questions? See Our Educational Timing Belt Articles
Note: Replacement intervals are broad recommendations and can be affected by age, weather conditions, running conditions etc. Check with the owner's manual/ manufacturer/ dealership.
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.
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 |
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.
Engine Option | 1.4L Turbo |
---|---|
Belt Or Chain | timing belt |
Interference or Non-interference | interference |
Replacement Interval | lifetime |
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.
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 |
The 2018 Volkswagen Golf engines have a timing chain and are interference. See the data outlined in the table below.
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 |
The 2017 Volkswagen Golf engines have a timing chain and are interference. See the data outlined in the table below.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
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 |
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.
Engine Option | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-interference | Replacement Interval |
---|---|---|---|
2.0L | timing belt | interference | 60k miles |
2.8L | timing chain | interference | lifetime |
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.
Engine Option | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-interference | Replacement Interval |
---|---|---|---|
2.0L | timing belt | interference | 60k miles |
2.8L | timing chain | interference | lifetime |
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.
Engine Option | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-interference | Replacement Interval |
---|---|---|---|
2.0L | timing belt | interference | 60k miles |
2.8L | timing chain | interference | lifetime |
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.
Engine Option | Belt Or Chain | Interference or Non-interference | Replacement Interval |
---|---|---|---|
2.0L | timing belt | interference | 60k miles |
2.8L | timing chain | interference | lifetime |
The 1994 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference. See the data outlined in the table below.
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 |
The 1993 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference. See the data outlined in the table below.
Engine Option | 2.0L |
---|---|
Belt Or Chain | timing belt |
Interference or Non-interference | interference |
Replacement Interval | 60k miles |
The 1992 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference. See the data outlined in the table below.
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 |
The 1991 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference. See the data outlined in the table below.
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 |
The 1990 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference. See the data outlined in the table below.
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 |
The 1989 Volkswagen Golf engines have timing belts and are interference. See the data outlined in the table below.
Engine Option | 1.8L |
---|---|
Belt Or Chain | timing belt |
Interference or Non-interference | interference |
Replacement Interval | 60k miles |
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