Cambelt / Timing Belt Interval: Audi A5 2.0 TDI 2015

[Blitzz]

Hi Everyone,

I contacted Audi main dealer today to get myself booked in for a Cambelt and water pump replacement as my vehicle is approaching the 90k mark.

To my surprise, after giving my car details to the advisor he said that my car is not due for a Cambelt change and that Audi recently changed the interval to 140,000 miles and no year limit?! This shocked me as how can they “change” the interval suddenly, furthermore 140k miles is way too high and the belt would be really old and mostly likely break before then… not sure what the idea was behind it but I found it very hard to believe and cannot find any information online from Audi validating this.

What’s everyone’s thought on this? Me personally, I’m not going to wait that long and will book it in soon but wondered if anyone else has had the same conversation with Audi recently?

Thanks,
Naeem aka Blitzz

[Crasher]

They haven't changed the intervals, they have been told to stop lying and saying it is five years. I do think though that 140k would have me bricking it! Is your car on the Digital Service System or paper book?

[SandBadger]

I was recently told this too by my local Audi garage. At 14k a year average the belt will be 10 years old at next change 😱. Will have to see if my nerves holds.

On a related subject - it's common for the belt and water pump to be done together, but now I guess the water pump is more likely to fail in between belt changes. Does anyone have any experience of water pump problems?

A5 TDI 177 2013

[Crasher]

I know of a 2017 Tiguan 2l TDI, 48K miles, bought from a main dealer and serviced there... cam belt failed in an unspecified manner and no warranty, £12k quote. I think for the time being, until I get a feel of the consequences we are going to stick to 5 years. I can't help but feel they have gone from one extreme to the other. I would rather get called names than tell someone 10 years or 144k and get that dreaded phone call "you know at my service last year you told me 10 years..."

[Whippy53]

I'm afraid I've been getting mine done every five years, Doh!


#theresalwaysone

[Crasher]

And it would be double doh if it had failed. What I would like to know is now VAG UK say 10 years (some 20 or never) or 144k miles and they state that at a service, if it fails are you covered... like hell!