Cam Belt Change requirement
- Thread starter Socopoc
- Start date
Hi @Josmall … Don’t really think the mileage is the issue its more the age of the rubber cam belt….Rubber will degrade and harden over time…and as you change the belt the water pump gets done as a safety measure as it’s relatively cheap to change together …it’s the labour costs that hurt….better be safe than sorry…
Officially, yes.
In the UK the cambelt change interval is 4 years regardless of how little mileage you've done.
In mainland Europe the official recommendation is 5 years, so I went with that as I don't see how conditions are any different in, say, Germany, to here, and like you I had very low mileage. I certainly don't suggest that you do what I did, if you do it's at your risk.
If you go a day over the 4 years and if the worst happens, you'll obviously get zero sympathy here or at your dealer, and a massive repair bill!
As with everything, you have to decide if you want to risk not having it done now, bearing in mind the potential consequences.
In the UK the cambelt change interval is 4 years regardless of how little mileage you've done.
In mainland Europe the official recommendation is 5 years, so I went with that as I don't see how conditions are any different in, say, Germany, to here, and like you I had very low mileage. I certainly don't suggest that you do what I did, if you do it's at your risk.
If you go a day over the 4 years and if the worst happens, you'll obviously get zero sympathy here or at your dealer, and a massive repair bill!
As with everything, you have to decide if you want to risk not having it done now, bearing in mind the potential consequences.
Lots of opinion and info on here regarding this.
I had mine done in line with the 4 year recommendation, despite my feelings that it is a short interval...and varies from other markets.
Thanks for your advice. Will bite the bullet !Hi @Josmall … Don’t really think the mileage is the issue its more the age of the rubber cam belt….Rubber will degrade and harden over time…and as you change the belt the water pump gets done as a safety measure as it’s relatively cheap to change together …it’s the labour costs that hurt….better be safe than sorry…
Many thanks. John
@Noddy996. Thanks - that's useful information. As to the subject in general, this scab has been picked at ad nauseum and the bottom line is make your own choice but adhering to anything other than the gospel according to VW UK is asking for problems and a big bill in the event of a failure (which will probably not occur but...). Mine is a few days short 3 years old and it's still at under 7K miles but I had always planned on getting the cam belt and water pump done at 4 years. Thanks to Noddy, I'll now add aux belt to the job.
Any jockey rollers to change?
yes, I asked for all rolling parts to be changed with my scheduled booking in October (5 years)
As already mentioned, it’s the condition of the rubber belt.
@katerin had hers go at 2 years. Ouch.
Threads merged.
Thanks for your reply. Had the auxiliary belt replaced at roughly 30k miles as the tensioner idle wheel bearing developed a squeak/whistling noise.
I’m currently at approx 50k miles and 5 years, 3 months.
I’ve inspected the belt and I have no concerns.
What’s good for a van in Europe is good here providing you are not relying on VW warranty.
If my van had a shrouded water pump I would have replaced it with a non shrouded unit as the reliability of this pump is poor. A seized pump is going to result in a broken timing belt.
There is no way I would be fitting a shrouded water pump when the belt is replaced.
My experience of manufacturers cure dates with rubber products is up to 8-10 years from manufacture stored in the correct conditions.
Service time is obviously going to be less than storage time.
Most importantly I can afford to repair the engine if it does break, my choice.
I’ve inspected the belt and I have no concerns.
What’s good for a van in Europe is good here providing you are not relying on VW warranty.
If my van had a shrouded water pump I would have replaced it with a non shrouded unit as the reliability of this pump is poor. A seized pump is going to result in a broken timing belt.
There is no way I would be fitting a shrouded water pump when the belt is replaced.
My experience of manufacturers cure dates with rubber products is up to 8-10 years from manufacture stored in the correct conditions.
Service time is obviously going to be less than storage time.
Most importantly I can afford to repair the engine if it does break, my choice.
VW Australia advises 105,000km or 7 years, which ever comes first.
Certainly gets confusing with so many different recommendations in different countries.
Certainly gets confusing with so many different recommendations in different countries.
So, out of interest, all of ye quoting £350 / £400 / £500'ish, I'd be interested in knowing whether any of these were on a BiTurbo 204? And (if anyone who knows what they are talking about can comment) what needs doing? Because I've had one VW dealer tell me they don't need to change the water pump - and the dealer who did the job changed the pump - which obviously adds cost. My inclination has always been to change the pump - but I don't recall ever paying £150 + for a pump!! Which I understand is some new-fangled electric thing on the 204.
Just by way of comparison, my 2011 2.0 165 5 cyl V70 Volvo has just had a belt change - at 10 years! Which is the recommended age-related period - and no water pump. I double checked that, and I gather it's not normal practise on the Volvo engine.
Just by way of comparison, my 2011 2.0 165 5 cyl V70 Volvo has just had a belt change - at 10 years! Which is the recommended age-related period - and no water pump. I double checked that, and I gather it's not normal practise on the Volvo engine.
Its up to you, but I pushed mine to 5 years as it's also low mileage.
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