Cam belt Change?

**SattyA4** · 18-12-2012,07:05 PM

Hi, I drive an A4 B8 1.8t S Line 2008. Went to my local Audi dealer today (Birmingham Audi) and asked about when my cam belt needs to be changed. They said every 5 years. My car has nearly 80,000 Miles on it, which I thought would be the correct time to change the belt. Any ideas if this sound correct?

Thanks

**Brycie** · 18-12-2012,07:09 PM

I don't know if it's different with your model, but any car I owned would have had it's cambelt done before 80k miles. I would be booking it in asap.

**Danny-boy** · 18-12-2012,07:24 PM

I think my B7 was done as recommended at 60k miles.

**Guest 2** · 18-12-2012,07:31 PM

I stick to 60k or 4 years whatever comes first

**mhurer** · 19-12-2012,07:29 AM

People used to recommend changing the water pump at the same time to save on labour costs. Is this still a sensible and cost-effective recommendation, and any idea how much this would additionally cost at dealer and inde?

**Guest 2** · 19-12-2012,07:55 AM

Definitely get the water pump done too - your dealer should be able to tell you how much.

**SattyA4** · 19-12-2012,09:55 AM

Thanks ladies and gents, I thought this sounded a bit odd, Im going to book it in today. Anybody got any ideas if they would give me a courtesy car being 18 Years old?

**sportq** · 19-12-2012,02:45 PM

Originally Posted by A6_Chris

Definitely get the water pump done too - your dealer should be able to tell you how much.

Historically the water pump was changed at the same time as timing belt because VAG, in their wisdom, ran both off the same belt. There were instances where workshops just changed the timing belt and later on the water pump would seize and strip the teeth off the reinforced rubber belt or snap the chain (depending on the engine) destroying a large part of the engine (and onwers wallet

).

This was certainly true for the 2.6 V6 I had. I would have thought they'd have changed the design by now though.

Peter

**legendamongus** · 19-12-2012,06:47 PM

Originally Posted by SattyA4

Thanks ladies and gents, I thought this sounded a bit odd, Im going to book it in today. Anybody got any ideas if they would give me a courtesy car being 18 Years old?

I wouldn't expect a courtesy car to be honest. Their insurance usually says something about being only for those aged 25+ or something, which is daft when you consider that the poverty-spec box they'll probably give you has less power than what you've driven in with... Worth an ask anyway though!

**SattyA4** · 06-02-2013,08:43 PM

Well finally getting the cam belt and water pump changed by Birmingham Audi for £529. They have said to me that I will receive a courtesy car, they said its usually like for like which is good, need something with 4 doors so a A1 would be useless. Im surprised they would allow an 19 year old to have a courtesy car to be honest.