Cam belt replacement - when due?

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adamhill

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Further to my recent posting regarding coolant loss on my 53 plate 2.0 TDi and the dealer agreeing to take the head off under warranty, it occured to me over the weekend that this would be an ideal time to get the cam belt replaced at minimal cost.
The car has covered 37k and will be 3 years in Feb '07.

Your views please - should I pay the (little?) extra and get them to replace the cam belt now or leave it until whenever it is due <75k?>.

What is the typical cost of replacing the belt as a stand alone job?

Cheers
 
Find how much extra it'll cost first, but although it's early I'd get it done. Consider that it's already 2.5 years old, and whereas it's still a long way short of its service life, IMO it's a worthwhile change - particularly if you're planning to keep the car a long time.
 
Defo the better safe than sorry, but it depends how much extra it is. I also had my cylinder head replaced due to coolent loss, I was actually disappointed that the belt wasn't changed FOC.

After all, they are disturbing the belt on the pullies and (I suppose) stretching the belt to get it off whilst the cams are swapped to the new head?
 
Well, I enquired with the dealer. No they will not be replacing the cam Belt and when I enquired if I could ask that they do so, was told that indeed the belt is not due until 80k and does not need replacing.

I am guessing that if I pushed them hard, they would replace it but I am thinking the additional labour to get the belt out from the crank shaft pullies etc. and the belt itself will be more than I am prepared to pay at this moment in time.

I agree with you IanMcA3 - I would have thought they would replace it as a matter of course given they are disturbing it. Guess I will just have to get it sorted when the time is due.

Cheers for the replies guys.
 
According to my VW dealer and the statement printed the cambelt should be changed at 4 years or 60k on all engines, 2.0TDi included.
 
LOL I'd rather replace it early than let it go bang, however I have little confidence in the local VW dealer. The cure for a sticking window on the Golf was to spray the glass and frame with grease.... I just need the prices of A3's to fall a little, well the S Line version.
 
Thanks again for the replies guys. In light of Audi changing the interval to every 4 years, I have gone back to the dealer and asked them to quote for the additional work to replace the belt now, given the head is off.

I am surprised that they did not suggest this - I would have been quite annoyed if, when the car went for a service in a years time, they turned round and said, oh, by the way, the cambelt is due for renewal!

What is a typical quote for the belt to be replaced? I appreciate it will vary between dealers but are we talking 300? 400?
 
Prices vary, but I would expect somewhere between those 2 figures. Our puma is due a new belt and Ford have quoted £275. I'm taking it elsewhere though, £90 labour and I'll get the parts £90. I trust the garage i'm taking it to more than ford. THe golf - if I keep it that long will go there as well.

Have Audi confirmed 4 years on the belt, I know VW have. And even if they haven't I'd still pay and have it done. It should cost any more than the parts required.
 
Two dealers have confirmed that the interval is 4 years now - I could not find the telephone number for Audi customer services. Two quotes for the full cambelt replacement job came in at £530, the additional work for it to be replaced now was £250, most of which is parts.

I have chosen to get it replaced now as I am planning on keeping the car for a few years yet.
I know replacing the cambelt is an expensive job but did not realise it would be this expensive!
 
£250 - mainly for parts! Yeah, that is expensive! Would be interesting to know what components you finally get invoiced for & what element is "minimal" extra labour.
 
I would hope the £250 is all for parts. Ring up you local dealer and ask how much a cambelt kit is, also try VW and Skoda as I guess they should be the same parts.
 
Parts came to £163.39 +VAT and included belt and 3 different rollers....Ouch!

Total bill for replacing Cambelt whilst cylinder head was off :£250.73 but that is more than 50% saving on doing it in a years time.
 
Well done, that's a lot of money but a big saving when it would otherwise be needed next year!

VAG cambelt changes do seem to be frightening; my wife's old VW Golf 1.9TDI cost more than £600 to change, including those rollers, and that was at an VW specialist too! Hard to believe my first car (1984 Escort 1.3 CVH) cost just £38 to change by a local mechanic ...
 
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