Cam belt change

[biggingermuff]

Just wondering what the general rule on cam belt intervalls are? Last done 2004 at 40K now mileage at 60K but coming up for a 4 year gap. Also anyone have an opinion on using the stealers for service Vs independants?

[mbelle]

Specialists all the way mate!

Cam belt SHOULD be done every 40K IIRC; recommend that should be done anyway

HTH

MB

[neckarsulm]

I wouldn't use a dealership as they don't see these engines much anymore so wont know there way around and also they don't replace as many bits as the specialists but charge about the same - some don't change the water pump - my old S4 had to go back 20k miles later (100k) for a water pump!

[biggingermuff]

Thanks Chaps, so mileage is more important than age?

[Harper--D]

Not always, my brother bought a 1.8t with the cambelt 6 months past due date, but had only covered 26k, when the belt was removed, you could see that it would have been lucky to last to 30k!

[imolas4uk]

better safe than very sorry

[neckarsulm]

VW and Audi have just dropped the interval between cambelt changes e.g from 80k to 60k on 1.8T and brought in a maximum age regardless of mileage which I believe is 4 years - so now you have to disregard what the schedule says in the service book in most cases.

A nice move by VW so the the dealer workshops can rake in more cash - another reason to use a specialist

[Virdee Autos]

Then again the 1.8T engines are notorious for belts letting go before 60k and 5years

So this is probably why they have dropped the interval

[neckarsulm]

Then again the 1.8T engines are notorious for belts letting go before 60k and 5years

So this is probably why they have dropped the interval

That was just an example, they have also done it with TDIs which always seem to make the interval - I have seen original belts at 90k when change is due at 60!

[mikeyquattro]

My T4 belt was changed after 4 years due to the change in interval. It had only done 26k

[Virdee Autos]

Bottom line for me is that I'd rather do it sooner than the interval. That might be my thinking, but hey thats me!

As soon as I bought my RS, thats the first thing I did, even though the last change was fully documented, and this change was not due yet

[neckarsulm]

Bottom line for me is that I'd rather do it sooner than the interval. That might be my thinking, but hey thats me!

4 years/40k sounds OK doesn't it or would you do it sooner than that?

[Virdee Autos]

I suppose it sounds ok, but I did mine for peace of mind, and knowing that it has now been done, with all the necessary parts, i.e. water pump, thermostat, etc