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Author Topic: Cambelt change, how often?  (Read 4900 times)

Offline Lewo

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Cambelt change, how often?
« on: February 18, 2016, 03:43:55 pm »
I'm confused...
Maindealer says 4yrs or 120000 mls
On my other thread its been mentioned 4yrs or 40000mls
On the how to thread a link says 100000 mls

So which is it.....?

Ta

Offline doylebros

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Re: Cambelt change, how often?
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2016, 04:38:24 pm »
Originally it was 120000 miles no date
Then
100000 or ten years

However,best practice is 40000 or 4 years if you want a trouble,worry free life. :driver:

Offline slix

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Re: Cambelt change, how often?
« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2016, 05:12:23 pm »
I'd also stick to a 4 year or 40k. A lot of start stop/town driving can wear the belt more compared to if you're always on the motorways.
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Offline loop

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Re: Cambelt change, how often?
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2016, 06:15:52 pm »
Personally I think the 4 years or 40k miles is a bit of a scam: nice income stream for the dealers. Handbook says 120000 miles for first change no time limit. They brought it down as some must have gone before then but you would be unlucky for it to happen. Often it's the tensioner that actually goes first, not the belt. If you've never had it changed I would change it now but if it was done a couple of years ago you are probably fine.


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Offline Beej

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Re: Cambelt change, how often?
« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2016, 06:47:45 pm »
Mine is on its second belt kit and water pump at 75k, piece of mind for what it costs, especially as my daily route does not intake any motorway driving

Offline doylebros

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Re: Cambelt change, how often?
« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2016, 07:10:35 pm »
Personally I think the 4 years or 40k miles is a bit of a scam: nice income stream for the dealers. Handbook says 120000 miles for first change no time limit. They brought it down as some must have gone before then but you would be unlucky for it to happen. Often it's the tensioner that actually goes first, not the belt. If you've never had it changed I would change it now but if it was done a couple of years ago you are probably fine.


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That's interesting advice above but that's not how the lease companies treat this issue - they just pay for a belt change at the manufactures time or mileage limit that's it, so that shows their thoughts on the situation.

Offline loop

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Re: Cambelt change, how often?
« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2016, 07:19:36 pm »

Personally I think the 4 years or 40k miles is a bit of a scam: nice income stream for the dealers. Handbook says 120000 miles for first change no time limit. They brought it down as some must have gone before then but you would be unlucky for it to happen. Often it's the tensioner that actually goes first, not the belt. If you've never had it changed I would change it now but if it was done a couple of years ago you are probably fine.


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That's interesting advice above but that's not how the lease companies treat this issue - they just pay for a belt change at the manufactures time or mileage limit that's it, so that shows their thoughts on the situation.

Well wasn't really advice just my reading of the issue! Most mk5s will have had at least 1 belt change by now due to their age. If not get it done, otherwise maybe not, depending on mileage etc. It really depends on the car and how it's been driven- each one is different!


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Offline white91

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Re: Cambelt change, how often?
« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2016, 07:48:02 pm »
Mine was done 5 years and 35,000 miles ago, think I should do it again?


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Offline gtivirgin

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Re: Cambelt change, how often?
« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2016, 08:43:36 pm »
I was in similar situation. Got the car, had been done I think 5/6 years ago but was only like 20-30,000 miles ago. Just had it done at the same time as a service as I've had my cambelt go before doing 60mph in my first car. Even though it was only a 8V 1.2 Clio the damage probably cost way more than the cambelt change to repair (and probably wasn't far off the value of the car lol). Mechanic showed me one of the valves and pictures of the imprint it left on one of the piston heads, safe to say I wouldn't want that happening to my GTI.

I guess if you have owned the car a long time and know how it has been driven since the last change I wouldn't worry so much but as it was years of use by previous owners without a documented change before I got the car I just wanted it done to have the peace of mind.

Offline loop

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Re: Cambelt change, how often?
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2016, 01:03:09 am »

Mine was done 5 years and 35,000 miles ago, think I should do it again?


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How many miles had the car done when it was first changed? How have you driven the car since? As long it was all properly done last time you should be ok for a while yet - maybe change it when it has done 50,000 since the last change for peace of mind?


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Offline white91

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Re: Cambelt change, how often?
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2016, 08:56:27 am »
Was changed at around 100,000 car is now on 136,000, I tend to drive quite smooth everyday, but do give it a blast when the road opens up and it's dry


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Offline loop

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Re: Cambelt change, how often?
« Reply #11 on: February 20, 2016, 06:59:44 pm »

Was changed at around 100,000 car is now on 136,000, I tend to drive quite smooth everyday, but do give it a blast when the road opens up and it's dry


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I reckon you would be fine until 150k miles at least. Up to you when you change it though, depends how relaxed you are about this kind of thing.


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Offline mk1mad

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Re: Cambelt change, how often?
« Reply #12 on: February 21, 2016, 05:30:41 pm »
My car had never been changed at 72k in 8 years , I changed it and examined all parts which were still in excellent condition no cracking of the belt.

I also think this is a way of  getting extra income for vw garages. I will change mine again in 60k regardless of the time.
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