Hi, new to the forum, but I've been been a club member for a while now. Iv'e spent a while searching the internet and these forums today with no avail looking for information on the replacement intervals for cam belts/timing belts on my polo. I have the 3 cylinder 55 hp 1.2 unit in an 02 plate polo the car has just hit 65000 which is why I am thinking about belts/chains as I have had the car now for 2 years.

I am still confused as to what this engine has as it has been said on the net that it has a timing chain but there is a belt on the left hand side of the engine. I know for a fact this runs the alternator amoungst other things, what I am unsure of is what these other things are, i'm assuming one is the water pump, but I cannot tell 100% if this belt is timing the engine also or related to the cams or even needs changing like a cambelt would after a certain number of miles

Maybe someone with much more knowledge than me could shed some light on this It would be much appreciated!

Will be a timing chain, and the belt your talking about will be your auxilary belt, i wouldnt replace this untill it shows sign of wear or starts perishing, but there only cheap and easy to change if your concerned.

The main thing to remember with these 1.2 engines is not to rev them from start up as oil pressure needs to build up in the timing chain tensioner first. If you don't allow a couple of seconds for this to happen, the chain will jump teeth with terminal results(bent valves etc)

Thanks for that guys, thats really helpful stuff, especially the advice about the start up