Hi Newbie here , thanks for letting me join . I have a question and sorry if this has been asked before. We are about to press the button on a 66 plate 1.4 A3 COD tfsi , the car has done 29k only with service history but no evidence of a cambelt change , should we insist that it’s changed for peace of mind ? I have done google but the answers are confusing as to when the belts should be changed to be honest. I don’t want to purchase a car and straight away have few hundred pound bill to get that done but  I know from experience the results if you don’t . can you offer advice please 

thanks 

Hello John,

If you search cambelt belt or timing belt on here, you will find numerous posts on the topic, due to changes in VAG’s recommended change intervals. 
You will find all you need to know there.

Assuming your engine has a belt rather than a chain.

Please let us know what decision you come to. 
Regards,

Gareth. 

Advice varies as you can tell, however 5 years or 60k miles is a good start. It’s not just the belt, but tensioner pulley, water pump, etc. Possibly over cautious, but if the belt snaps, then the engine is goosed. The mechanic will also check bearing wear on other pulleys. Throw on new auxilliary serpentine belt for peace of mind too.

Thanks All 

Thanks John, what have you decided to do?

Regards,

Gareth. 

Not made a 100% decision as yet but paid a deposit on the car , will be speaking to main dealer on Monday see what they say as well 

 

 

They are likely to inform you that the belt doesn’t need changing until it’s covered in excess of 125K miles, without any specified time limit. The car you intend buying is now approaching 9 years old and has covered just over 3k miles a year on average. 
When you say it has service history, has it been serviced annually? If it hasn’t, it hasn’t been serviced properly.

Whereas low mileage appeals, it has to be considered that vehicles are likely to have been used on short journeys, with stops starts ( where the belt will be stressed) and increased wear on clutches etc., and can potentially be as worn as a vehicle which has covered treble that mileage operating under optimum running conditions on the motorway. 
It’s obviously your choice John, but by previous recommendations on time limits, the car should already be due for its second belt change as it approaches 10 year old. 
I my book, there isn’t any debate, and I would be changing it now, to minimise the risk of it being rendered beyond economical repair should the belt decide to part company.

As Richard says, renew the auxiliary belt at the same time. In case it helps, I use Gates belts and tensioner kits.

Regards,

Gareth. 

11 hours ago, Magnet said:

They are likely to inform you that the belt doesn’t need changing until it’s covered in excess of 125 miles, without any specified time limit. The car you intend buying is now approaching 9 years old and has covered just over 3k miles a year on average. 
When you say it has service history, has it been serviced annually? If it hasn’t, it hasn’t been serviced properly.

Whereas low mileage appeals, it has to be considered that vehicles are likely to have been used on short journeys, with stops starts ( where the belt will be stressed) and increased wear on clutches etc., and can potentially be as worn as a vehicle which has covered treble that mileage operating under optimum running conditions on the motorway. 
It’s obviously your choice John, but by previous recommendations on time limits, the car should already be due for its second belt change as it approaches 10 year old. 
I my book, there isn’t any debate, and I would be changing it now, to minimise the risk of it being rendered beyond economical repair should the belt decide to part company.

As Richard says, renew the auxiliary belt at the same time. In case it helps, I use Gates belts and tensioner kits.

Regards,

Gareth. 

I echo that. Recently the change intervals were vastly extended without any changes, as far as I know, to the belts themselves. I would certainly factor in a change into your calculations. I don't know but I'm sure it should have been changed in 2021 under the old regime as I thought the intervals were extended in 2023. If it was changed then it's not yet due. 

Wondering if you had come to your decision yet John. 

Hi Yes thanks, deposit paid on car 

they are looking at history to see if belt done in 2021 and if not then potentially they are going to do it 

will update as soon as I know 

thanks for the info advise 

 

Any progress to report John.

Hi Thanks everyone for the advice , I appreciate it.

we have bought the car and I could not get them to change the belt , however I did get a fair amount off and full service, 4 new Michelin tyres , and a washer motor sorted which was apparently leaking 

total bill just under £1000 so I am happy to factor in the cost of the belt myself and get that sorted later , I do have a 6 month warranty as well so covered for now 

 

 

Thanks John,

No pressure, but if it were mine, I would be having the cambelt assembly changed without delay, since the car is now approaching 10 years old. 
The six month warranty is fine, but this car will end up as ‘beyond economical repair’ if the belt goes. 

Hi

Is there any guides available for DIY cambelt change on 1.4 TFSI engine please? 
 

Hello again John,

Before moving on, what is your skill set in terms of motor mechanics? Do you have a substantial good quality socket set and long extension bars etc., an impact wrench, torque wrench , substantial Jack - etc.etc. since the engine will need to be jacked to remove its mounting? 
I would class this as an A level experienced mechanic job, so if you are not well versed and/or don’t have all the necessary tools, then I would suggest you just don’t  attempt it. If you do, you may well end up with an unusable car.

You should find You Tube videos on this and/or similar VAG engines.

Regards,

Gareth. 

Hello John,

Despite returning to the forum a few times since the last post was made, you are yet to respond to the questions asked.

Do you want some more time to answer? 
Regards,

Gareth. 

Hi Gareth

Sorry but I have  been busy searching u tube etc as recommended, but in answer to the questions 

Yes I have the tools and the skills , I have been working on my own cars and family  cars for years, rebuilt some engines and fully restored motorcycles in the past.

I have the locking tools and bought a Gates belt kit already 

however I am not familiar with this Audi engine hence the request for a guide to the correct procedure and I thought it maybe something that another member had done a write up on that’s all , maybe something i could do if i decide to do the job.

thanks again 

John