Cambelt age

[Rusty]

I changed the cambelt 5 years ago and the car has done less than 10k since. I know that it's recommended to be changed every 80k but what about age? How long is too long?

Ta

[Error404]

Can't hurt to change it - not sure about Audi but most manufacturers used to specify every 60k miles or 5 years

[Rusty]

Yes, the missus's 172 is every 5 years, which got me thinking...

[rj scotty]

This is a very good question.

The only part that I can see will deteriorate over time even if not being used is the belt it's self. Having said that the belt rarely brakes, it's nearly always some related component that fails that causes the belt to brake.

Would it be an idea to do a full cam belt service every 80K and just change the belt alone every couple of years? You can inspect the rest of the components at the same time. This will reduce the cost as only the belt and crank pulley centre bolt need to be purchased

[Rusty]

I'm looking at fitting a steel sprocket and a new hall sender while it's all out, as well as new tappets... going to be a bit of a major service to keep things up to date. Other item is a new oil cooler

[rj scotty]

If your going to that extent you may as well do the lot, I need to consider this really as my belt was 6 years ago but only 13K miles

[Rusty]

I can leave the belt on there if it's going to be fine and save some effort but if it needs doing then I'll have to make the extra time... New pulley was fitted 5 years ago, so I am happy to wait to fit the steel item at a later date.

[driftin jo]

Just visually inspect the belt on a regular
basis, no matter what miles after its a few
years old.

[UrS4boy]

I changed the cambelt 5 years ago and the car has done less than 10k since. I know that it's recommended to be changed every 80k but what about age? How long is too long?

I am embarrassed to say that I let my UrS4 belt go for 10 years because it was well under the 100K km cycle that I was working to. When I did the timing belt in 2010, the 10 year old belt was perfect. No cracks or anything that would tell you that it was a 10 yr old belt. The belt is like $40 so I obviously changed it (and added a new sprocket and from seal, water pump, tensioner pulley, etc). Good for peace of mind but the truth is, there wasn't very much risk with the old one.

I live in an area with very little ground level ozone (which attacks rubber).

[johne]

For many years after they were introduced belts of this type were change on mileage only. It's only relatively recently that manufacurers have introduced a time limit as well.

The cynic could observe that it's a good way to keep garages busy when the general level of servicing work continues to fall. Others may argue that over the years time has been shown to be a factor.

I only change the belts on my cars on mileage. I'll let you know when that lets me down.

A friend with a very old Audi 100 2.3 I5 has done 160,00 miles on the original unchanged belt and is still going strong...................

John

[driftin jo]

Change interval mileage is a bit on the safe side to accommodate driving situations, e.g. 150k miles on motorway would only be the same as 20k miles diving round town, in terms of revs that the engine actually does.
I think a belt could easily do 300k no problem, it's just wise to keep your eye on it.

[Rusty]

Cheers. I'll have a look at it when I'm doing the head work and see what I think. I'll be changing it at some point to change the crank pulley over but if I can leave it alone for now, I've got enough to be getting on with...

[bluequattro]

My sister in law had a k reg Clio
26k miles from new
Original belt, told her dad get it changed, he argued about low miles
8 months later it's snapped n killed the engine

[driftin jo]

The other thing to note is if it has ever had an oil leak and oil has got on the belt that will kill it in no time, think 1 year with very little miles needed.

[simon20vq]

1 point, how much is a belt 25-30 quid? Can you do the work yourself(?) if so its just a time thing. I would look to change it every 5-6 years regardless of mileage and visual condition.