Life expectancy of a OEM fitted cambelt?

[A4 stu]

The car is a 98 B5 TDi with 123k

I understand the cambelt needs to be changed every 60k?

I have no record in the s/history of the 60k change being done, but I know the son of the previous owner and am totally happy it would have been done around the tine it should have been. The car has every other receipt just not that one and has a fsh.

However, my local Indy was unable to change the belt last month saying the bolts he needs to undo are rounded off and without stripping a lot of the car he cannot get a cutting tool to them. This would take time and incur quite a bit of labour charge. He was also concerned about the state of some of the rusted items he would have to undo around the parts needing removal and seemed concerned that stripping the car might insure the need to replace more parts.

I was told the belt could be viewed and showed no obvious signs of wear and was a quality part fitted. I forget the make of the belt but I think it began with a 'H'? Clearly a full inspection can't be done.

So, assuming the belt was fitted 60k ago, am I driving a car ready to go bang?

How much leeway on the mileage is the supplier/Audi going to give. Surely they don't just snap around 60k?

I don't want the car to go pop, but I also don't want to shell hundreds out on a car that is worth about £800?

Opinion?

Stu

 

[Oranoco]

It's not a case of if it fails but when. You might do 1,000 miles or you might do 50,000miles, nobody can really say.

 

[aragorn]

Theres also a time based element.

IE its 60k or 5 years whichever comes first.

 

[Bradderz_1988]

What is the interval for the 1.8T ?? Think mine may be coming up for replacement !!

 

[AVLO]

^^^ As Aragon says its recommended every 5 year or 60k. I replaced the belt and tensioners etc on my B5 S4 2 weeks ago and that had only done 35,000 miles on that belt but it was over 7years old... The age of the belt and rollers can play as much as a part in wear than what the mileage can.

 

[A4 stu]

Quite simply I can't say when it was last changed. I strongly suspect that the belt is around 5 years old but not sure if it will have done a full 60k or less.

If it was changed when the car was at 60k then it's done 63k and 11 years, so I doubt that to be correct.

What's the potential damage from it snapping?

Stu.

 

[Sulli79]

Wrecked engine! It's not worth the risk.

 

[Oranoco]

A load of bent valves, ******** piston damaged bore.

 

[A4 stu]

Bump

Update: belt still not changed but I will be seeking quotes this week. So I don't get spanked what do people consider an appropriate price for a cambelt change on my car if the mechanic needs to cut/drill the bolts (I believe they are the ones on the big pulley wheel?) in order to get the belt off and replace said bolts?

Last summer I was given the following estimated quotes:

Audi - 500
Local non VAG - 300 ish plus VAT
Indy - 220 total

Stu

 

[Blue_Thunder]

I've got some Irwin Bolt Grips, which are basically socket pieces which cut into rounded off bolts to get them out. It was a local specialist (Unit 20) who introduced me to these. I would expect and decent garage should have something to get the job done.

Can't comment on price as I'm unfamiliar with that engine. Check the Indy price includes all of the stuff you want doing, eg: on an S4 engine you would always want to change the tensioner and thermostat with the belt.

 

[DieselJake]

Where are you based? Got mine done at Midlands VW, can't quite remember the price but it was similar to what you quoted for the none vag place and I'd highly recommend it's done somewhere that has experience just for the peace of mind.

Another thing to note before parting with the cash is to see if the last owner had some notes and receipts then to go through them and check it hasn't been done within the past few years, that's where I found mine and was pleasantly surprised as it still had some life before taking the plunge.

 

[Bradderz_1988]

Anyone no the kit number for contitech kit inc damper for TQS ??

 

[aragorn]

CT919K4 from memory. Best confirm though

 

[A4 stu]

Update.

I managed to speak to the garage that serviced the car for the previous owner. With their help I have confirmed the belt was changed 7 years and 61k ago so it definitely needs doing.

Stu.

 

[Mike B]

So were they responsible for the bolts?

 

[A4 stu]

Possibly. There was a small note in the service history book against one of the services they had done indicating that the belt had been changed by them during that service.

I can only assume the previous owner had no reason to change the belt again before I bought the car as the mileage and years would not have merited it. I can't think of any other reason that the belt would need to be removed for any other work?

I also have no way of knowing if the mechanic that I took it to for the belt change is responsible for rounding the bolts and then saying they were found like that.

 

[A4 stu]

So quite simply I don't know and I can't see anyone owning up and doing the job cheap for me!

It's going to a local garage I have used for years and trust with mine and the wife's car. I only took it elsewhere for the belt change because their price wasn't that competitive and I had read an Indy with specific experience of the B5 might be a better place e to go.

 

[aragorn]

quickest way to get those bolts out, would be to whip out the welding torch and weld a bolt onto each one. Will take about 10 minutes.

you'll be there years trying to hand drill 10.9 grade bolts

 

[A4 stu]

Update.

A mechanic I used to go to when I had my first car 20 odd years ago is still working and services my fathers car. He will do the cambelt change including dealing with the bolt issue for £250.

A review of what's happening to my finances over the next few years tell me that the old girl needs to be with me for another year, preferably two!

Let's see if we can make it three!

Stu.