Cambelt replacing

[Detailer dave]

I am after people's thoughts and opinions.



So my audi a3 is now 8 year old and it has covered 3,200 mile from new and it is serviced every 6 months by myself (audi filters and castrol oils) car was garaged for first 7 years and this last year has been on drive.



So and let me be clear audi uk and only audi uk say the cambelt is due at 60,000 or 5 years germany and the rest of europe its 100,000 or inspect on service no time limit.



So a few weeks ago i called two audi specialists for a price on replacing the water pump and belt and was told the following



Specialist 1 said due to low mileage and the fact the belt has not been trough as many heat cycles as any other 8 year old car (and taking into account rubber degradation etc etc) in his opinion it did not warrant being done just yet but if i wanted it doing he was happy to do it.



Specialist 2 said not to bother due to low mileage and lack of heat cycles but if i was planning on doing a substantial incress in mileage maybe have a look at it in a years time but again was happy to do it if i wanted to go ahead.



Now i am considering leaving it for another year at least as other cars i have had in the past have had 10 year time limits on them



So just wondered what my fellow members thought and what would you do ??

 

[NHN]

It may not have been used allot but even standing can make the rubber age, so what's it worth to you, risk it snaps or get it done for peace of mind.

3200 in 8 years, could sell it back to the dealer as new.

 

[Dubjam]

Normally, I wouldn't bother as only Audi UK make the outlandish non-science related claims over cambelt '5 year' life, but as NHN says, with your car being such low mileage, lack of use can age rubber and composites quite heavily, so its something to think about if you plan to keep the car for a while longer, then it may be worth it.

Audi (rest of the world) have no age limit on cambelts, just mileage.

 

[Detailer dave]

That's my point no age limit I don't see how standing can age rubber faster

 

[NHN]

That's my point no age limit I don't see how standing can age rubber faster

Because non use can actually harden rubber over time making it more prone to cracking & disintegration, subject to the materials used of course.

Given the cambelt is right next to a very hot engine the heat keeps this in a fair condition & supple so to speak with engine usage, as it's not being used very often or at all for long periods, it can work against the belt condition.

You'd like to think modern day materials, manufacturing would have eliminated this issue, but whose willing to test that theory at a huge cost if it snaps.....

Not me that's for sure lol.

 

[Swanny356]

I agree with Nige, If mine had stood for 7 years, I'd have changed it before reusing. For the sake of @ £600 vs £4k for a new engine, I'd change it

 

[Steve D]

My 1.4 TSI is 6 years old now with 52,000 on the clock. I bought the cam belt kit today. A Gates kit. £88. I’m planning to fit it myself next week. I know it should last longer but for peace of mind, it’s not worth sweating for the next 4 years for the price of a tank of fuel!

 

[Dubjam]

My 1.4 TSI is 6 years old now with 52,000 on the clock. I bought the cam belt kit today. A Gates kit. £88. I’m planning to fit it myself next week. I know it should last longer but for peace of mind, it’s not worth sweating for the next 4 years for the price of a tank of fuel!

What are you sweating other than Audi UK's marketing created for a financial reason paranoia?

 

[Steve D]

I'm thinking it’s more critical on a start stop engine because of the loads placed on the belt each time it starts and for £88, I’d rather get it sorted now as hoping to go on a European trip in it this year.

 

[Dubjam]

I'm thinking it’s more critical on a start stop engine because of the loads placed on the belt each time it starts and for £88, I’d rather get it sorted now as hoping ti go on a European trip in it this year.

Stop/Start engines are the same as listed above.

The belt isnt due. If you want to change it for no reason other than paranoia created by Audi UK thats your call, but seems a deadful waste of money as who knows if your new non genuine belt will be better or will last longer or won't have any manufacturing defects.

Just FYI many people have contacted Audi UK for their scientific testing results to support their claim. Audi UK have never provided anything, and some of us contacted Audi direct to check the validity of it all, and were given the service schedule shown above

Have a think about 'why' Audi UK created this non-rule..imagine the revenue they pocket from people doing their belts after five years? Its a big money maker. Good honest indy VAG specialists will also tell you your belt isn't due.

 

[Steve D]

Well, they'll be making no money out of me! Quite happy to fit a Gates kit - fitted plenty of them over the years. As far as I know, no manufacturer makes their own cam belts anyway so what is OE these days?

 

[Dubjam]

Well, they'll be making no money out of me! Quite happy to fit a Gates kit - fitted plenty of them over the years. As far as I know, no manufacturer makes their own cam belts anyway so what is OE these days?

No money, just paranoia which funded Gates in this instance, and a few of your life hours, which could be more valuable depending on how you see it.

My tyres all have 7mm on them, I might just fit new ones for the sake of it because a marketing executive made up a story with no scientific backing<--- same difference really.

 

[Steve D]

Go ahead if thats what you want. Just like me, you are free to do whatever you like with your time and your money.

 

[Dubjam]

Go ahead if thats what you want. Just like me, you are free to do whatever you like with your time and your money.

Of course, but being an enthusiasts forum the sharing of knowledge is half the point, and the internet, the spreading of misinformation can be rife, and this is one blatant money grab by Audi which is good to correct so others don't fall into the same trap. Theres been quite a few threads on this also before you joined.

Sure you're not giving Audi your money for an unrequired part, but you mentioned 'sweating it' and 'worrying' which is why I helped explained why you don't need to be concerned at all, and provided the evidence to support that. If you choose to ignore that advice, then of course that's your call, but as you mentioned you're doing a road trip to Europe this year, why not pop into any Audi dealership on the continent (or any other part of the world for that matter, even places with extreme weather) and they will tell you there is no time limit on a cambelt, just mileage.

 

[S4 Muzza]

Who knew someone’s decision to perform some maintenance on their own car was such a touchy subject eh

 

[Georgeinabz]

I agree with Nige, If mine had stood for 7 years, I'd have changed it before reusing. For the sake of @ £600 vs £4k for a new engine, I'd change it

4k , try 7k + labour

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