My local vag specialist(jbs autodesigns)say the cam belt on my vrs is due for replacement at 60k,i am now reading conflicting reports ie that it needs replacing a 4yrs or 60k,is this a new directive by skoda? and have the cars been suffering a lot of failures? I can't see how the time thing affects the belt.:confused:

Hi Skinner,

I'm looking to buy a Fabia Vrs and have done lots of research on this.

Vag now recommend that it is changed at 4 years or 60k miles whichever is sooner.

Even if you've only done 30k miles after 4 years has past, conditions can cause the belt to weaken and then break.

Hope this helps.

Stan

I can't see how the time thing affects the belt

Rubber (or whatever a timing belt is made from) degrades over time.

mine was an 05, and for a short time they has 80k cambelt intervals..... mine went to 79k before I sold it... it was only 2 years old though.... even the 80k service said every 4 years....

Stan hit the nail on the head there

Don't forget materials can perish over time so the belt will be quite a bit weaker after 4 years of being on the car