Afternoon all,

has anyone heard about a possible new timing belt change interval recommendation please? This would be for my 2010 Octavia with a 2.0 PD tdi engine, or any VW group car with the same BKD version of the engine

My car, a 2010 2.0 pd tdi with 100,000 miles on the clock, is due a new timing belt and i went this afternoon to a local VW main dealer to check on pricing (and perhaps saving a long drive to a distant Skoda dealer). The service department man said that he was aware of a very recent change of interval (as of yesterday) from VW for their brand cars (post 2009 manufacture, they have extended the intervals) and he suggested that I speak to Skoda to confirm if this may apply to my Octavia before booking a time for the work to be done.

Skoda technical services maintain that the interval for my car remains at 4 years or 95,000 miles and would not comment on any changes for other VW group vehicles.

I am curious about what may be changing with timing belt change recommendations for VW group cars and if it may in any way involve my car with a BKD engine.

Anybody heard or know anything?

Thanks

Chris

Edited 7 December, 201213 yr by Catweazle

If it was me and my car was at 100k with a cam belt change recommended for 95k then I'd be getting it booked in for a replacement as a matter of urgency not trying to find a way of gambling a few more miles/time out of the old one. Trying to save a few £'s this was is a false economy should the belt snap - you'll be looking at a replacement engine if it does.

Thanks Chappers.

I am aware of the need not to push your luck with timing belts and I will probably be booking it in before Christmas under the Skoda fixed price deal thats available at the moment.

However, I am still curious to find out if their will be a change to the recommeded interval, as this will be more in line with the recommendations used in many other countries

Hi Chris,

I've got a 1.9PD in our 2007 Seat and that's 4 years or 80,000 which ever comes 1st so although it's only done less that 50k we had it done, though the garage didn't say anything until year 5 the plonkers, so I got it done PDQ. As chappers says best not risk it for the sake of a £300 cambelt change. It's not going to make much difference either way will it with the amount of miles you do as even if you keep it for 10 years and do 500,000 miles you're unlikely to save even 1 belt change?

cheers

Ade

Hi Ade,

thanks for the input. I agree that in the long term it does not make much difference finacially when I change the timing belt, its got to be done pretty soon.

I am just curious to see if the UK recommendations are moving towards what they seem to be in Europe, or in other words are we being ripped off in the UK by having to do this work sooner than it is needed?

Thanks again and I will probably be booking the car in to have the work done next week!

Chris

Oh no, I know where this thread is heading...

If VW are in fact increasing the intervals in the UK then Seat and Skoda will have a hard time justifing a decision that involves them not following suit on cars fitted with the same engines.

There will always be people who say don't gamble and follow the guidance given by the manufacturer and there will be those that are convinced Skoda are simply looking to maximise profits.

Either way there is only one person who can decide when to change it and that's you.

For the sake of £299 every four years (or typically three cambelt changes in the cars life) then the choice for me is an easy one.

Edited 7 December, 201213 yr by silver1011

For VW:

In UK a mileage / time limit is imposed. In Germany mileage only with no time limit.

On my VW Golf pd 1.9 tdi originally 5 years in service book; however, VW UK now recommends 4 years.

For newer models no change in mileage but interval is set to change back to 5 years (according to dealer).

I would change cam belt every 5 years 100k miles at least regardless of make, model, mileage or age recommendations because I am risk averse. Each to their own.