New Cambelt...or not?

[Ian_5040589]

My Passat is coming up for its 4 year 40k service.

I know when I book it in, the dealer will tell me that the cambelt needs changing.

The car has only done 22k miles - which brings me to one of those do I/don't I questions. Do I have the cambelt changed or not?

Does towing place more wear on the cambelt? We are off to Cornwall in August (nearly 400 mile) and I wouldn't want to risk anything - I'm no mechanic so looking for a bit of advice.

 

[Angus1]

If its a diesel Ian, (I`m assuming it is as the vast majority are) the belt and pulleys etc are swapped at 60k.

I`m not aware of a time restriction but that may make sense for very low usage cars.

You might try asking on www.vwaudiforum.co.uk which is a very useful forum and canpotentially save you a lot of money.

 

[antrimboy]

Hi Ian,it's VW's recommendation that your belt should be changed at 40K/4yrs., and I'm sure you would feel as sick as a parrot if you didn't go along with that, and it eventually snapped, resulting in major damage/expense.I'm VW too, and when the time comes for the belt to be changed, next year, I'll also be replacing the tensioner and water-pump.

 

[antrimboy]

Sorry Ian-I got my mileage wrong, Angus is correct, it's 60K, not 40K, but the 4yrs. still applies.

Have a read here;

http://www.clubtouran.net/forum/showthread.php?t=2874
Although it's the Touran forum, the Passat has the same engine.

 

[RogerL]

Sometimes parts need replacing just on mileage but where a manufacturers specifies 40,000 miles or 4 years, or even 60,000 miles or 4 years they mean just that - low mileage cars need the work doing on a time basis, not distance basis.

It's a no-brainer, or should be - if VAG recommend 4 years, get it done.

 

[Royston]

Ian, I would take your dealers advise, If they recommend a new belt have it fitted.

About three years ago I was changing cars from a Daewoo laganza to my present estate a vectra 2.2 dti, whilst sitting in the office with the salesman I noticed these twisted valve stems on his desk , on enquiring what had happened , he said they had beloged to a Passat estate where the drive belt had broken causing a estimated

 

[Ian_5040589]

Thanks everyone - new cambelt it is.

I was toying with the idea of changing it next year, but its in such good nick, the mileage is low and its a cracking tow car so I guess I'll invest in the belt and keep it for another couple of years.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Ian

Don't forget the cam belt tensioner and whilst stripped down get them to check the water pump. A lot of failed belts are due to premature failure of the water pump causing additional loads on the belt. I'm not sure how much a water pump is but your main cost will be the labour.

Cheers

Alan