Sorry about the photo's guys - have mailed them to Manny - it works on my PC - but then of course it's my PC - so it would wouldn't it - DOH! :color:

Ok,

got the pics now,

Looks pretty bad.

If as you say Dave the belt is being stripped rather than failing due to snapping or tearing it would suggest to me that there was another problem causing this failure e.g Water pump ceasing, idler ceasing or tensioner ceasing whatever it seems to me that its more VAG's problem if such a failure occurs under the warranty period on a car serviced as per the manufacturers recommendations by a franchised dealer.

I do however whole heartedly agree with your advice on changing the belt prematurely.

There are a couple of reason's why the belts strip -- the most common appears to be waterpump failure -- the impellor is made of a plastic material -- and some times when they fail they break up - causing the pump to jam -- and therfore the teeth to strip.

The other is less common - the VVT tensioner can over tension - and snap the chain -- which then usually raps itself around of of the cams - causing it to stop dead -- and strip the teeth.

Skoda always used Chains until the use of the VW based 16v engines.

And they didn't use any additional tensioners, they just rattled pretty much from go until about 60k, but never heard of one breaking.

My old Saab 900 is Chain timed, , and I really do need to sort out a revised type chain tensioner to prolong the life of the chain beyond it's existing 126k, and save myself a £400 chain replacement bill, or a new head if it finally does go.

Anyone know the cambelt interval on the 2.8 V6? I assume its the same for Audi/VW and Skoda. Would have said VAG but SEAT don't have a 2.8 V6

Originally posted by Amanda Hugnkiss in this post

Would have said VAG but SEAT don't have a 2.8 V6

Yes, they do!

How about the Seat Leon 2.8 V6 Topsport 4, formerly known as the Seat Leon 2.8 V6 Cupra 4?

Sorry, I should have been more specific (unlike the lovely Denis not to pick me up on that) but they don't have one in the UK, officially.

Oh and happy birthday!

Ah, but you do have a vRS with climate control and 17", so the UK isn't always getting a raw deal...

Originally posted by Amanda Hugnkiss in this post

Oh and happy birthday!

Thanks and :cheers:

Amanda,

The cambelt change interval for the 2.8V6 engine is 80,000 miles.Quite often the water pump will also require replacement at this mileage -- due to signs of leaking,it is a good time to change even if not leaking as it is a huge job to do seperately!

Agreed, I spent three years @ Wayside Audi in Milton Keynes and allways replaced the water pump with the cambelt. Quite often the bearings give up and the whole pump tilts over which the rubs away on the mounting....not good.

I was working on SEAT up until last week (left to got to AmD) and was still having major arguments with leasing companies who didnt want to change cambelts on 1.8 turbo engines until 115,000 miles which is SEAT/VAG recomendation. What a laugh. 80,000 max again i'd change the water pump as the plastic impellers have a habit of coming off the drive spindle and doing feck all.

Just out of curiosity. What mileage is the timing belt ment to be replaced on the 1.6L 75bhp Octavia engine?

As a matter of interest my wife runs an Integra R and has done 18k in 5 years. When would you say I should get the belt changed as mileage would not be the best guide in this case? A mechanic at last year's service said leave it for now but it worries me to leave it indefinitely.

Chris

Think they do deteriorate with age - 5 years could very well be a good time to change!

Rob.

I seem to remember from my previous car (laguna) it was 6 years/60K miles, whichever was sooner. So it might well be 6 years.

Decided to get mine done next week when the car is in for service. Got quoted £200 plus the price of the service so I will let you know what the bill comes to. Is the price fixed at all dealers or are there some inconsistencies?

Chris

Also, I'm sure I've heard that some engines are designed such that there is no interference twixt valves and pistons even in the even of a belt failure leaving the cam and crank totaly out of sync. Anyone else heard that? [/b]

Years ago I drove a Mk4 1.6 Cortina. I had the cambelt snap while driving through town. I immediately stamped on the clutch, and got away with no engine damage whatsoever!

"There is no progress without change, but not all change is progress"!

Richard T.

I had a golf pd tdi a couple of years ago - vw said 40K changes for that one at about £400.

And my current "tempory" car while I'm waiting for the vRS is an Omega 2.6 v6 auto!(handles like a greased pig!!) this has just had its 40K service - about £800 including a cam belt change ouch.

add that to a monthly petrol bill of about £800 makes the omega an expensive barge.

Going back to the belt vs chain thing, I don't think it can be cost. My Smart car as two chains driving the cams.

Also my mates Cortina 1.6e belt snapped - no damage at all! Mind you with a whole 55bhp, I shouldn't think the valve lift was very far.

Cheers

Jim.

Well at my last "varible service" (54K) I questioned this very thing and got them to put at the bottom of the service report in black and white that cam belt checked and replacement due at 80,000 MILES. so as mine is under un-limited milage 3 year warrenty if it goes I am covered and if they dispute it i will have them in court faster than you can say cam-belt costa lotta.

Dean

I am on my 3rd Skoda diesel, and have been advised at every sale to have the cambelt done at the 60k service. ( 2x 90bhp octy's, now a furby vRS)

Steve

It's not a major job - takes approx 2-2.5 hours - although I would say def NOT a D.I.Y job.

the parts required :

1.Cambelt

2.cambelt tensioner pulley

3.cambelt damper

4.Water pump (advisory)

It's not hard do do

step by step picture guide can be found - http://www.seatcupra.net/guide_cambelt.htm

Mark

Very interesting thread but does anyone actually know what a dealer will charge for the cambelt change ?

Or did I miss that bit ?

That depends on the dealer and what thier hourly rate is.

Usually four hours labour to fit or there abouts plus the cost of a cambelt and tensioner.

Is the tensioner changed always? Only reason I ask is that the dealer I took mine to be serviced at changed the cambelt and then rang me up and said there was a lot of play with the existing rollerball tensioner, so they were going to fit a new one?

Chris