2003 2.0 20V engine - cambelt change - when ?

[anonymous-user]

[redacted]

[MJK 24]

I suggest you read the service book but that doesn't have a clue either! Says something about inspecting the belt for wear.

[monkeyhanger]

I'd go for 4 years / 60K (whichever is sooner).

[M3 Mitch]

I would suggest that it needs to be inspected at least about now. If the dealer is clueless, that is your clue to go elsewhere to get this done. It's too easy for an incompetent or disinterested mechanic to nick one of the sprokets, for example, causing the new belt to fail early.

This service is a good time to get new V-belts, new "big" radiator hoses, and a new load of coolant (use what Audi recommends, not whatever is cheap) (best with distilled water) On some models the water pump is inside the cam belt, I am not certain on your exact model and UK/USA may be different anyway.

Over the life of the car, you are way ahead changing the belt 1 or 2 times more than is strictly necessary, than having it break once. If you run to 200K miles you will do this 4 times if you do it at 50K, only 2 or 3 times if you stretch to 70K - price the prevention and price the cure, see if it's not better to do it more often -

I have never heard a straight answer as to what, exactly ages belts - I think high temperatures, a lot of idling with the A/C running, and city driving would tend to make it need replacement at a lesser mileage. I have put 50K on a belt myself (E30 325i) and it looked about new when I replaced it (country and highway driving, very little idling) That said, I didn't regret changing it just to be on the safe side.