Yes, I don't disagree. What I can't really get my head round, is that if this is such an important technical change, then why is there nothing written down anywhere? Why can't this vital piece of information be found officially in the public domain? It doesn't seem to make sense to me at all.

Yes, I will have this work done, but I'd feel a lot less ripped off if I saw this in writing on a piece of VAG or SUK headed paper.

Another M-K victory.

rotodiesel.

which leads me to believe that I would be better taking it elsewhere if I can find anywhere with more experience of this engine.

The way to look at it is who will see more of the engines, a Skoda tech dealing with a handful of cars that turn up now and again, or a VW tech who works on fleets of Passats?

Simple isn't it, if you want experience choose the inventor rather than the modifier.

Another M-K victory.

rotodiesel.

Sadly, I think you're right. Thanks.

The way to look at it is who will see more of the engines, a Skoda tech dealing with a handful of cars that turn up now and again, or a VW tech who works on fleets of Passats?

Simple isn't it, if you want experience choose the inventor rather than the modifier.

Yes, I'm sort of in the same boat as I have a Passat 2.8 V6 4Motion, and had to force the VW dealer to accept it in to change the cambelt "it does not have a belt, its got a chain!" But Audi don't like dealing with common cars like VW - so I have to explain to the VW dealer that that engine was the wide(ish) angle V6 Audi engine - yes they don't all know all of their cars, which is not too encouraging when you book the car in for work!

Yes, I'm sort of in the same boat as I have a Passat 2.8 V6 4Motion, and had to force the VW dealer to accept it in to change the cambelt "it does not have a belt, its got a chain!" But Audi don't like dealing with common cars like VW - so I have to explain to the VW dealer that that engine was the wide(ish) angle V6 Audi engine - yes they don't all know all of their cars, which is not too encouraging when you book the car in for work!

Have a ring round the Audi dealers, I'm sure one will gladly want to do it, sounds like you have spoken with a snob at the dealer tbh, the VW dealer I use has one, if I get him on the phone for parts he does his utmost best to either not ring back or give me a Bentley price, if I get lucky and speak to one of the more service friendly staff there's no problem, I can imagine the jeers and laughter among the techs when one gets the job and the rest give him the old cheap seat routine it's all VAG so there's no reason why they'd refuse good cash paying work, unless Audi's are so crap they are swamped with repair work anyway, which I find highly unlikely, I've had recent dealing's with Inchcape VW and I found them also very accomodating, Mann Egerton if you are west way, have a look on their site for an Audi branch.

Another M-K victory.

rotodiesel.

I tend to agree ...... frequent visual inspection will tell a lot about the cam belt and whether it needs attention, and it would be good to know if Europe is littered with wrecked VAG engines, as it should be if they all run their cam belts to the recommended mileage rather than the 4 year limit. Is there a German / Dutch / Austrian forum similar to this where the question can be asked?

However, on a previous thread similar to this, I seem to remember that you said that 4 years was a good idea and 5 years was pushing your luck, and you obviously know these engines very well.

I don't think it's possible to win on this issue. Spend the money and get peace of mind, or don't spend it and worry about the big bang. Suppose that's why insurance companies exist ......

Edited 5 May, 200917 yr by CRC

Of course, it's a lottery but these single cam PD engines have been around for some time now. My opinion, for what it's worth is 5 years or 60k miles (80k miles under favourable conditions with limited cold starts) represents a reasonable level of risk. The OE Continental belts are of good quality.

I've adopted 5 years/80k because this will fit one belt change into my ownership period for the vehicle. PD engines have a few problems but cambelts are generally not on the list. I would change all rollers and definitely fit a pattern metal impeller water pump when doing this job.

The UK only 4 year scam is just that - a really nice little source of revenue for the dealers. It was probably an M-K reaction to the VAG (D) variable service regimen which has the effect of reducing dealer profits.

rotodiesel.

Unless your radiator goes at 48k and 3.5 years then change it anyway.

The used belt looked brand new when removed on my Superb, so I am with Rotodiesel, I believe 4 years is a big con from MK.

My father has never had a PD engine cam belt break under 100k. He services the whole VW group and commercials and thats a fair few cars.

But you pay your money and take your chances.

Sorry, I'll just adjust your last paragraph:

"You pay the money and VAG take it all". (and if your vehicle survives undamaged, that's a bonus).

rotodiesel.

Thanks for the input guys its appreciated