Audi advise cambelt change @ 120,000 miles!

This has recently been discussed briefly in someone elses thread and as it's off topic to that thread i thought this subject warranted a new one.

Anyhow, my car is approaching 60k and i thought i'd ring audi customer services to check when they advise for the cambelt to be changed. For my particular year and model they said 120k which i was very surprised about being as most people on here advise 60 - 80k.

I rang my local Audi dealership and they told me exactly the same. They said all the different engines have different recommendations, mine was 120k

I asked that if my belt went before 120k would Audi then fix it as i've followed Audi's advice. After a short spell on hold i was told that it would be down to good will and they judge each case on its merrit.

What are your thoughts on this people, 120k is high eh?:confused:

120k is a lot, no doubt about it! The 4yr rule is agreed by some and not agreed by others so its hard to find any true answer here. Im of the mind to inspect the belt regularly and change between 4-5yrs if you havent achieved the handbooks guide mileage if there's any sign of wear or rubbing on the edges, or any issues noticeable with tensioners, pulleys etc. If not i'd keep an eye on it and not go beyond 80k before changing. Cue other peoples disagreement with this...............

If its a 1.8T i would stick to the 60K 4 Year rule as above.

I have just decided to have mine replaced after getting a letter from Manchester Audi offering a range of service promotions, one being cambelt replacement for £275, water pump and tensioners will be an extra £60.
Mine is a 1.8T Sport 2001, 71K so not bad I think, or is it?

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Originally Posted by the taz

I have just decided to have mine replaced after getting a letter from Manchester Audi offering a range of service promotions, one being cambelt replacement for £275, water pump and tensioners will be an extra £60.
Mine is a 1.8T Sport 2001, 71K so not bad I think, or is it?

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That's pretty good. Is that from Lancaster Audi?

thanks for replies. Why does the age come into play? Audi just go on mileage regardless of age. Also, i would have thought that Audi would say a mileage alot lower even if it is 120k to make more £ which makes me think it could go for even longer than 120k. I have no mechanical knowledge at all so please put me in my place on my little theory!!! :D

my car is now 7 years old on 59k. I only do around 6k a year, i've had the car 2 years. I dont want to go spending £300 - £400 if i dont need to as Audi say!

What would you do if it was your motor? and what are the consequences/cost if the worst should happen and it goes!!!??

Because the compound the Cambelt is made of breaks down over the years.

Initially there was signs of breakdown at cars at 4 years of age, so they changed the schedule to suit.

I would get both cambelt and waterpump done together.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mluton

Because the compound the Cambelt is made of breaks down over the years.

Initially there was signs of breakdown at cars at 4 years of age, so they changed the schedule to suit.

I would get both cambelt and waterpump done together.

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Agree. My car was 4.5 years old when I decided to have it done, despite it having only done 24k miles. Cracks were appearing. Better safe than sorry. I had waterpump and tensioner at the same time.

Also the car spent most of it's time doing short journeys with stop and starts.

Marco

The Audi info is very confusing and so I go by the 80k/5 year rule we use on petrol engines (60K and 4 years on TDI). Audi’s info states

Every 120,000 km (80,000 miles) or after max. 5 years In addition to Inspection Service: –

Toothed belt: (4-cyl. 5V 1.8 ltr. turbocharged engines up to model year 1999 -X-)

Toothed belt: (4-cyl. 5V 1.8 ltr. turbocharged engines from model year 2000 -Y-)

And then it says

Every 180,000 km (115,000 miles)

Toothed belt (4-cyl. 5V 1.8 ltr. engines from model year 2000 -Y-)

I interpret this from the notes to only apply to NON turbo from their note below this info

“As from model year 2000 -Y- every 180,000 km (115,000 miles) (except for turbocharged engines)”.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Crasher

The Audi info is very confusing and so I go by the 80k/5 year rule we use on petrol engines (60K and 4 years on TDI). Audi’s info states

Every 120,000 km (80,000 miles) or after max. 5 years In addition to Inspection Service: –

Toothed belt: (4-cyl. 5V 1.8 ltr. turbocharged engines up to model year 1999 -X-)

Toothed belt: (4-cyl. 5V 1.8 ltr. turbocharged engines from model year 2000 -Y-)

And then it says

Every 180,000 km (115,000 miles)

Toothed belt (4-cyl. 5V 1.8 ltr. engines from model year 2000 -Y-)

I interpret this from the notes to only apply to NON turbo from their note below this info

“As from model year 2000 -Y- every 180,000 km (115,000 miles) (except for turbocharged engines)”.

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Crikey!!

So Crasher, although mine has only done 59k, it is 7 years old so you would advise me to change it like everyone else has been saying?