My fabia Vrs is due its 4th service in jan

Ive read a lot on here about the cambelt change being imprtant for a pd engine

The problem i have is that the fabia has just done 20k miles and when its service is due it will probably be around the 22k /23k mark

So at this rate the car will probaly be touching 5 or six years old before it gets near the cambelt change time

So

In a nutshell

Change the belt after 4 years or let it roll until it gets up to 40k miles?

There is a lot of info on here concerning the cambelt

so much

Im confused

I'd work on the 4yr/60k rule, so would get it changed. Time can wear it just as much as mileage, as there's the possibility of the rubber perishing.

It's a tricky one to call, but it's not worth the gamble to me. The change period was anything upto 80k/6yrs, but VAG as a group had a fair few belt failures across the range in years 4-5, so they amended the advice.

Steve

Yeah

I was thinking along those lines

But i dont really want to change a cambelt on a car that has just clocked over 20k miles

My car gets serviced at awesome(who seem to know whats what with vw engines) so i will have a chat about it with them when my service is due

By the way wardy the cd rack is still in the car.so that looks good for a few more miles:D

I'd work on the 4yr/60k rule, so would get it changed. Time can wear it just as much as mileage, as there's the possibility of the rubber perishing.

...

What he said. I'm not suggesting built-in obsolescence on VAG's part, but the message from franchised dealers and informed independents is consistent - 4 years / 60k whichever rolls around first.

Id change it myself even if i wasnt a techie.

£300 for a cambelt and waterpump

£1500+ for an engine...

Had my cambelt done at 4 years.

Car had done 40k which is slightly below average mileage for a diesel.

Was shown the belt afterwards - fairly good condition, no cracks or perishing, however there was some wear just on the top inside edge of the teeth. Mechanic said it could have gone a bit longer but was worth changing it just because of the slightly wear really.