Audi A4 Avant (10 Plate) Cambelt Advice

[robm82]

Hello,

I have just recently bought an Audi A4 Avant on a 10 plate with around 90k miles. All previous services have been carried out by Audi, and I was surprised to see in the Service book that the Cambelt doesn't need changing until 135k miles?! Is this really true...?! I was always under the impression that you should change the Cambelt every 75k miles or every 5 years (whichever comes first obviously).

Has Audi changed the Cambelt operation, or is this just a new standard? Sorry for a stupid question, I just wanted to check if this is true as I certainly don't want to damage my new car if it does need a cambelt change!

[Guest 2]

It says that in my Service Book too but as I've done for years, 60k or 4 years whichever comes first for me.

If I were you, I would get it done right now along with the waterpump.

[robm82]

Thanks for the quick reply - I am going to give my local Audi dealer a call as well to see what they recommend. However, I will probably look into getting the Cambelt change ASAP.

[zollaf]

peugeot say their belts don't need doing until 120k. this makes people buy them and run them for the usual 3 years then sell them without having to spend any money on them, thats cheap motoring. the belts usually don't make it to 100k though, just enough time to get out of a warranty and into the 2nd or 3rd owners hands and therefore their problem.
up to you if you do it or not but i think you should as well.

[robm82]

Can I ask someone why would Audi state in their handbook the cambelt should be replaced every 133k miles, and then yet when I ring my local Audi garage they say every 75k miles or every 5 years?! It is all very confusing to say the least...!

[Guest 2]

No idea, probably showing the maximum allowed for different climates? I dunno really.

If Audi are saying 5yrs/75k then feel free to go with that but you can't really go wrong with 4yrs/60k. Going by 75k/5yrs you need it done NOW.

Prevention is better than cure!

[robm82]

Thanks for the advice guys :). Booked into Audi as it is certainly not worth the risk in leaving the cambelt.

[Dieseldoos]

I had mine changed last year at 82k. As you say, its not worth risking it, better safe than sorry.

[theskyfox]

As Chris said...stick with 4 years/60k. It is daft the service intervals they recommend at times. I can only guess its a last ditch effort to keep costs down. Other "gems" in the Audi service guide include:

-Oil changing at 2 years instead of annually
-Air filter change every 40k miles (or 2 years)

These both make my blood boil. After a year the engine oil is basically kaput, and have you ever seen how filthy/manged with cr*p an air filter is after just 1 year?! These are prestige cars..lets treat them like it ;).

-Andrew

[Doctle Odd]

I do an oil change every 5k or so on a diesel, oil is cheap engines are expensive +1 with Chris 60k/4years on the belt
As Chris said...stick with 4 years/60k. It is daft the service intervals they recommend at times. I can only guess its a last ditch effort to keep costs down. Other "gems" in the Audi service guide include:

-Oil changing at 2 years instead of annually
-Air filter change every 40k miles (or 2 years)

These both make my blood boil. After a year the engine oil is basically kaput, and have you ever seen how filthy/manged with cr*p an air filter is after just 1 year?! These are prestige cars..lets treat them like it ;).

-Andrew

[theskyfox]

lol 5k? thats a little OCD :P. I would agree with you, but when you've got a V6 (takes just over 6 litres of oil a time) and are doing 20k miles or so a year, oil isn't cheap. I'd be spending nearly £300 a year on oil alone if that were the case!

-Andrew

[Guest 2]

You should be under the fixed price servicing scheme so some reduced rates will apply.

Fixed-price servicing < Servicing with Audi < Owners area (http://www.audi.co.uk/owners-area/servicing-with-audi/affordable-servicing.html)

My cambelt was actually done at 66k but that was due to being away and the next available appointment.

I had a full inspection and oil change done at the same time along with the cambelt and waterpump.

http://i816.photobucket.com/albums/zz90/57_audi/A3/66kCambetltInspection_zps4262c934.jpg~original

[Doctle Odd]

It's preventative maintenance but it's also cheap for me. 20l quantum 10W-40 is 79 yoyos and a filter is 12 (cost from a Skoda dealer) I don't do many miles less than 10k a year. Anyone can change engine oil now using a fluid extractor you could save a fortune
lol 5k? thats a little OCD :P. I would agree with you, but when you've got a V6 (takes just over 6 litres of oil a time) and are doing 20k miles or so a year, oil isn't cheap. I'd be spending nearly £300 a year on oil alone if that were the case!

-Andrew

[Whippy53]

Always worth getting the water pump done while the belts off.

[robm82]

Thanks for all the advice everyone :). Cambelt and water pump has all been replaced today, and I must admit I feel so much more at ease now knowing that it has been replaced! Here's to many more years happy motoring...!!!

[Crazyfool]

That's odd...I'm sure my garage told me mine was chain driven!

[Guest 2]

Not sure if your petrol is chain or not, will have a look if you provide your engine code.

OP's car is diesel ;)

[patel321]

Thanks for all the advice everyone :). Cambelt and water pump has all been replaced today, and I must admit I feel so much more at ease now knowing that it has been replaced! Here's to many more years happy motoring...!!!

how much did you have to pay?

[Dieseldoos]

For a guide, My local indie charges £389 inc VAT for cambelt and water pump, and my local main dealer charges £439 fixed price (allthough I do not know if thats just a cambelt change or they do the water pump as well)

[robm82]

how much did you have to pay?

I paid £559 for the cambelt and water pump from Bradford Audi

[mikeyboy9]

I was quoted £560 from Highland Audi for belt and water pump.