VAG Cambelt roulette
Discussion
Interested to know if anyone has actually had a Cambelt snap on there VAG 2.0 Tdi, (2010 onwards) if so, then what mileage and age was the belt? Anyone out there with a really old belt?
I once briefly owned a Seat Exeo that had done 11 years and 125,000 before I changed the belt, it looked a bit old, but no cracks or rips. So either really lucky, or there is a massive safety factor in the lifeing
Reason for asking is that I have been trying to find consistent advice on belt intervals on my A3. Hand book saying 133,000 with no age limit, main dealer saying 140,000 and 5 years, independents saying 60,000-80,000 3-6 years!
I once briefly owned a Seat Exeo that had done 11 years and 125,000 before I changed the belt, it looked a bit old, but no cracks or rips. So either really lucky, or there is a massive safety factor in the lifeing
Reason for asking is that I have been trying to find consistent advice on belt intervals on my A3. Hand book saying 133,000 with no age limit, main dealer saying 140,000 and 5 years, independents saying 60,000-80,000 3-6 years!
Different car but my 2000 TT lunched it’s engine due to snapped cam belt. I believe it was the water pump seizing that made it snap but a newer belt may have overcome the pump perhaps? Oddly the service record receipts showed it was on its 3rd pump
In around 90,000 miles. You would assume the belt was changed too?
In around 90,000 miles. You would assume the belt was changed too?
Not a VW group car but the cambelt on my Son's Renault Clio failed at around 70-80k.
It didn't actually break, rather it stripped off some of the teeth around the camshaft pulley and the belt looked fine otherwise - same result though as the cams stopped moving whilst the pistons didn't.
Regardless of the car, the belts are all pretty much the same, I'd err on the side of caution and replace earlier than scheduled because the repair after a breakage is a lot more complex and costly.....
Said belt;
It didn't actually break, rather it stripped off some of the teeth around the camshaft pulley and the belt looked fine otherwise - same result though as the cams stopped moving whilst the pistons didn't.
Regardless of the car, the belts are all pretty much the same, I'd err on the side of caution and replace earlier than scheduled because the repair after a breakage is a lot more complex and costly.....
Said belt;
I'd take the official intervals wth a pinch of salt. As long as the oriignal cambelt makes it out of the warranty period then they couldn't really give a rat's arse when it breaks.
Intervals for such things (and servicing) are largely driven these days by what the competition is doing.
Having said that, cambelt on a CR TDI is not a difficult job, I'd say 2 hrs labour max of actual spanner time if the garage knows what they are doing.
Intervals for such things (and servicing) are largely driven these days by what the competition is doing.
Having said that, cambelt on a CR TDI is not a difficult job, I'd say 2 hrs labour max of actual spanner time if the garage knows what they are doing.
My feeling is VAG are conservative with their estimates and the belt will last longer under varying conditions. The belt is more likely to be taken out by some other component - waterpump, tensioner - so although the belt itself is not much money it's one of those jobs where if you are doing it your may as well replace likely failure culpritts whilst in there which makes it an expensive job. The alternative though is a dead engine so it comes down to the owners attitude to risk.
I've got a Seat Exeo cr170 and did the belt at 5 years old / 56k. It's due next year and I am planning on having it done along with the waterpump etc again.
I've got a Seat Exeo cr170 and did the belt at 5 years old / 56k. It's due next year and I am planning on having it done along with the waterpump etc again.
I contacted VW in Germany about this as wife's Tiguan had only done 30K at 5yrs. When the engine (it's the latest EA288 diesel with AdBlue) first appeared it was billed as being a 'lifetime' belt. The water pump has a smooth pulley so even that failing won't strip the belt.
VW Germany came back and said 210,000kms (130K miles) with no time limit. When I queried why VW was adamant it needed to be changed at 5yrs they stopped replying.
What do you do? The snag is that if it does break you're going to get a massive bill as well as everyone pointing out that it should have been changed. I got it done.
I notice VW have whacked up their fixed pricing on this now - it doesn't seem long ago since dealers advertised £299. Mine said £549 for belt and pump both, but only charged £499 even though it has the fairly expensive switchable water pump. I see the fixed price is £789 now.
VW Germany came back and said 210,000kms (130K miles) with no time limit. When I queried why VW was adamant it needed to be changed at 5yrs they stopped replying.
What do you do? The snag is that if it does break you're going to get a massive bill as well as everyone pointing out that it should have been changed. I got it done.
I notice VW have whacked up their fixed pricing on this now - it doesn't seem long ago since dealers advertised £299. Mine said £549 for belt and pump both, but only charged £499 even though it has the fairly expensive switchable water pump. I see the fixed price is £789 now.
Edited by Sheepshanks on Thursday 28th July 09:51
Thanks for the replies. I guess people on a forum like this will usually have a decent understanding of the consequences of cam belt failure, therefore not many would exceed manufacturers recommendations - maybe asking the question on a forum like ‘Mums net’ would reveal some long life Cambelt failures.
So it would appear that when the cars are under warranty or a fixed price service plan the belt timing is extended to 130,000+ and 5-6 years. But once the car is older the recommendations drop to 60-80,000. Would be great to here from any VAG engine durability engineers out there??
So it would appear that when the cars are under warranty or a fixed price service plan the belt timing is extended to 130,000+ and 5-6 years. But once the car is older the recommendations drop to 60-80,000. Would be great to here from any VAG engine durability engineers out there??
Assess the cost of changing it, and the cost to repair or scrap your car if it breaks. This, plus your attitude to risk will inform your decision.
Ideally you'd need a histogram from VW with hundreds of data points showing mileage/time after failure, but good luck getting hold of that info. Follow the recommendations, and you won't go far wrong. No point in having it done at VW either and paying their inflated prices.
Ideally you'd need a histogram from VW with hundreds of data points showing mileage/time after failure, but good luck getting hold of that info. Follow the recommendations, and you won't go far wrong. No point in having it done at VW either and paying their inflated prices.
Sheepshanks said:
I contacted VW in Germany about this as wife's Tiguan had only done 30K at 5yrs. When the engine (it's the latest EA288 diesel with AdBlue) first appeared it was billed as being a 'lifetime' belt. The water pump has a smooth pulley so even that failing won't strip the belt.
VW Germany came back and said 210,00kms (130K miles) with no time limit. When I queried why VW was adamant it needed to be changed at 5yrs they stopped replying.
What do you do? The snag is that if it does break you're going to get a massive bill as well as everyone pointing out that it should have been changed. I got it done.
I notice VW have whacked up their fixed pricing on this now - it doesn't seem long ago since dealers advertised £299. Mine said £549 for belt and pump both, but only charged £499 even though it has the fairly expensive switchable water pump. I see the fixed price is £789 now.
£789 for a cambelt? I only paid about £430 from a local VW specialistVW Germany came back and said 210,00kms (130K miles) with no time limit. When I queried why VW was adamant it needed to be changed at 5yrs they stopped replying.
What do you do? The snag is that if it does break you're going to get a massive bill as well as everyone pointing out that it should have been changed. I got it done.
I notice VW have whacked up their fixed pricing on this now - it doesn't seem long ago since dealers advertised £299. Mine said £549 for belt and pump both, but only charged £499 even though it has the fairly expensive switchable water pump. I see the fixed price is £789 now.
Did one yesterday from 2006. It looked fine.
Most engines are 140k.
The 5 year thing is made up profiteering, from franchise operators who like dipping their hands into your pockets regularly. Changing it on a year old 30k miles car would be madness. When that same car hits 10 you could sensibly call it a piece of preventative maintenance.
Most engines are 140k.
The 5 year thing is made up profiteering, from franchise operators who like dipping their hands into your pockets regularly. Changing it on a year old 30k miles car would be madness. When that same car hits 10 you could sensibly call it a piece of preventative maintenance.
Problem is the latest VW engines. Going on feedback from other VW sites, the newest engines need specialist tools which only VW have to change the belts. Whether that is correct I couldn't say.
Engine is question is the 1.5 evo with cylinder deactivation. If you dont know what your doing then it could get into a sticky situation. Engine would be toast. This engine is fitted to my new T Roc.
If you go on VW site, it will give you the prices for a belt change, except the T Roc. You have to contact them for a price. Rumour is £1200 and should be replaced every 5 years or 60k.
I have always followed advice from my local independent VW garage but they aren't able to change the belt. It's not required for 3 years yet but hopefully this will change.
Engine is question is the 1.5 evo with cylinder deactivation. If you dont know what your doing then it could get into a sticky situation. Engine would be toast. This engine is fitted to my new T Roc.
If you go on VW site, it will give you the prices for a belt change, except the T Roc. You have to contact them for a price. Rumour is £1200 and should be replaced every 5 years or 60k.
I have always followed advice from my local independent VW garage but they aren't able to change the belt. It's not required for 3 years yet but hopefully this will change.
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