The BS 5 year timing belt interval is officially dead

[Dr G]

This is an excerpt from a document recently issued by the VW UK and shared on the dealer portal:



Whilst the factory guidance has never stated 5 years (or certainly not for a very long time) it was pushed in the UK (cynically as a profit maker) quite heavily and posted on repeat in every owners forum.

It goes on to say:



So there you go. No more getting fleeced for early changes.

[AI1601]

If only we had waited a month or so when getting the cambelt changed on the wife's Leon 1.4 TSI. Feel like we've been scammed of £540!

[Terzo123]

AI1601 said:

If only we had waited a month or so when getting the cambelt changed on the wife's Leon 1.4 TSI. Feel like we've been scammed of £540!

If you have the time and inclination, id be submitting a complaint to Seat. Whats the worst that could happen?

Prior to this, the european intervals for these engines was double the UK recommendation. I never understood why the difference.

[Dr G]

AI1601 said:

If only we had waited a month or so when getting the cambelt changed on the wife's Leon 1.4 TSI. Feel like we've been scammed of £540!

Was it done post 4th July?



If so commence moaning at dealer!

[Dr G]

Terzo123 said:

Prior to this, the european intervals for these engines was double the UK recommendation. I never understood why the difference.

I've gone on about this for years, they're not even double. The most common belt schedule is 140,000 miles. Not 5 years. Not any number of years. The workshop manual has always been very clear about this, but for some reason the UK arm decided to endorse their franchise operators stroking the cash cow instead.

[James6112]

I extended the cambelt change interval on my Skoda Superb to 6 years - that was when the water pump decided to start leaking!

[Yertis]

I don't think this applies to my old Audi

Every five years cam-belt, tensioner and water pump without fail get changed without fail, even though it's only usually done about 500 miles in that time. Some time back the wisdom went from 75k miles to 50k miles. I wonedr why they've suddenly changed the guidance? I know people who've had a belt go and it's curtains for the engine (and I expect the car too, nowadays).

[Dr G]

They have and they haven't. The factory guidance hasn't changed in as long as I can remember. As above, workshop manual has never stated a 5 year interval.

Edited by Dr G on Thursday 21st September 16:58

[shtu]

"Catalyst for Aftersales"

What a horrible euphemism.

[FMOB]

shtu said:

"Catalyst for Aftersales"

What a horrible euphemism.

Exactly what I was thing but looks better than STCAEFO

(screw the customer at every .....)

[stevemcs]

Personally if i owned anything with a 1.6 or 2.0 diesel then I would ignore that and stick to 4.5 years. Petrol's go with the new recommended interval

[saladdays]

Dr G, thanks for posting. I recently had a call from Skoda offering a new belt for £699!

[GVK]

Whats changed though? It's not like they are going to fit some wonderful belt that will last over 5 years.

[Dr G]

GVK said:

Whats changed though? It's not like they are going to fit some wonderful belt that will last over 5 years.

That's exactly the case, yes. The 5 year interval was not the manufacturer recommendation, it was a money grab from VW in the UK.

[stevemcs]

I'd still be changing the belts if it was a 2.0 diesel.

[POIDH]

How will this be communicated to those outside of VAG dealer network?

I use a good independent who it still adamant that it is 5 years and needs 'proof' from VAG before he 'risks' customer cars and repuatation.

[Belle427]

Another VAG farce really.

[VeeReihenmotor6]

Nice but I have had it ingrained in me to change at 5 years / c75k so will probably just stick with it. Lucky for me, my recently acquired 4 year old Audi 2.0 TDI had it's cambelt/waterpump etc done on it's company (car) service plan at 68k / 4 years old.

[POIDH]

I am also reminded that I have paid for 5 timing belts on VAG cars over the years - with another looming shortly.

Will VAG produce a list of which cars this covers, rather than 'speak to your local main stealer'?

[Dr G]

POIDH said:

How will this be communicated to those outside of VAG dealer network?

I use a good independent who it still adamant that it is 5 years and needs 'proof' from VAG before he 'risks' customer cars and repuatation.

Exactly the same way it always has been. The 5 year "guidance" was never communicated to anyone outside of the dealer network. The data on Erwin/Elsa remains correct.