why change the cambelt?

[tjd100]

When Audi built my S4 (1998) they decided the cambelt needed changing at 80K miles. They didn't add 'or every 5 years'.

So how come they now tell me I have to change my cambelt? (it being 8 years old) - because 'obviously it has to be changed every five years.'

What if they decided it would be a convenient and lucrative revenue stream to change it to 'every 5 years'? That as S4 owners were so inconsiderate in their lack of use (52K on mine), it would be best to scare them into parting with a £1000.

Any thoughts?

p.s. the only reference I can find to a broken belt is straight after a change...

I LOVE MY NEW S4

[Nige_RS4]

You should be able to get the cambelt, tensioners, waterpump & thermostat for under £500 if you shop around. I recently had the lot done on my RS4 for £460 incl VAT.

Better to be safe than sorry IMHO - belts do deteriorate with age, not just mileage.

[h8cak]

I had mine done last month. Bought cam belt, Tensioner, Pully, Fan belt, Waterpump from german and swedish for £125.00 inc vat. My Mot tester friend fitted them for £120 I know that they say that the front has to come off the car to fit all this but its not a big job. If the garage knows what they are doing its a 3.5hr job max.
Shop around

[tjd100]

- all true but why say one thing when you make the car (change @ 80K) and then change the advice?

Can anyone tell me when audi decided it should be every 5 years? I've seen two service books on pre-facelift models with FASH that have happily ignored the 5 year change...

[tjd100]

also it's not so much the money as the principle...

[DavidT]

I'm amazed they last 80k / 5 years. Cambelt failure would be very expensive as others have said - valves, pistons and then on to the expensive stuff. I expect they have introduced it based on experience.

Remember you are protecting your investment in the car by changing it.

Wherever you get it done, ensure they have the right tools to align it properly.

If you think about it, the Audi dealer network will not see much revenue from cambelt changes as almost all cars are outside the 3 year warranty period and 80k or 5 years anyway so very unlikely to have the work done with a dealer. Parts to fix engines that have suffered cambelt failure would most likely come from Audi, so you could argue that its in their interest not to recommend changes at 5 years ? Or is that just the way my mind works ?

Why not ask Audi when the recommendation changed and report back here ?

Welcome to rs246 BTW.

[lemond]

Perhaps they found that their revenue stream as not great enough.

However I have had a belt fail on another car and it 'Only' took out 8 valves 2 valve guides and 2 rocker arms....

So changed the belt myself every two years on that car afterwards...it was an easy job.... also used to chage the Transit Diesel cambelt every two years .. easy job.

Looked at S4 (mine has done 65k miles)... bugger a longer job... so I got genuine bits (at right money) and had fitted by a proper mechanic at the right money.... similar to H8CAK in costs.

I bet it costs a whole lot more if the belt breaks or the water pump gets unhappy and the belt jumps/breaks.

Apparently the cam chains (at back connecting cams on each bank) can break or so Im told and I've not changed them!

My Merc - made when Mercs were built properly (not the crap they make now..nice to drive but reliability....nah!) has a nice duplex cam chain...it lives in oil and is happy!.. It might be old hat but it only has 135bhp and 4 cylinders.... best built car I've ever seen...pisses rings round the Audi in build quality and solidity. Obviously not quite (ho!) in performance terms

Cant remember the exact phrase in Pulp fiction... but to alter it somewhat " Pretty please with sugar on top change the f4ck!n9 belt!"

[Doug_S2]

it is not just the belt that can go. A lot of the older cars belts are not tensioned anymore because the tensioner damper has seized. The water pump can seize then it burns the belt and it snaps - the cheap metal finned water pumps are a definite nono - they are not lasting 20k! You have to change the roller, relay roller, - all the rotating parts - bearings have a finite life due to time and usage. make sure garages know what they are doing - and use the proper locking tools - lots of cars come through the doors not timed correctly (mostly from audi!!)

[boxerdogted]

And if you buy an RS4 it is changed at 40k. So all you guy's that are running remapped and high hp S4's when are you going to change yours?.

[lemond]

I think the same as DavidT ...80k miles or 5 years...seems a long time/high mileage.

VW Audi must have a wealth of cambelt data from all their models. I'd like to think they know what they are on about!

It's not in their interest to have engine failures, but I wonder if it is in their interest to have cheap servicing over the life of the car (or first 6 years)?

How many people consider the service costs when buying a car...especially new?

Oh ....I dont think the Audi is crap quality (my last post), more of a nostalgic...dont make em like they used too... 'Wireless' still works too!!!

Truth is Audi built better finished cars in the early 90's too. One guid eis to look at purchase prices nw and then... not a lot of difference for similar sized/type cars.... and all the 'now' cars are loded with extra junk to go wrong

I'm only a recent rs246'er, but welcome tjd100 !

Paul

[DavidT]

And if you buy an RS4 it is changed at 40k. So all you guy's that are running remapped and high hp S4's when are you going to change yours?.

Yes, my car is stage 3 and I reckon 30k / 3 years max and I'll change all the associated bits inc. water pump.

[boxerdogted]

That is what i'm going to do, 3 years max but i wont do 30k in that time i doubt.
I bought the locking tools and changed my own belts etc, with 30 years in the motor trade as a technician and service manager i'm not paying Audi prices and i know the job is done correctly.

[tjd100]

well thanks for all the input, I know the sensible thing to do is change the belt (+ pump & tensioners etc) - but i might put in a call to audi (as suggested) and find out when they changed their minds...

Then all I have to worry about is getting it done properly. I promised myself when I bought this car I wouldn't spend any more days, wrench in hand, swearing at the bastard creators of whatever it was i was trying to do. Took my e30 to bits and back... thank god the s4 is so much more complicated.

Any advice on a decent garage either North Yorks or London?

Had a <beep> morning at work, went home for lunch. Nothing like the sound of a couple of turbos spooling up to improve a day.

[Dippy]

When Audi built your car they also decided that your fuel filter NEVER needs to be changed, but we have had several members who have had fuel filter problems. They also allow you to use mineral oil in your engine, although there has been a curious relationship between US dealers using mineral oil at service (generally foc to the customer which is why) and premature turbo failure.

So I don't think that you should pay any attention to what Audi recommend - pay attention to the advice here.

[grizz]

Get it changed , remember you've got 30 valves that cost £27 each + all the labour , if the belt does go you could be looking at a £3000 bill..