I was told the standard trans VAG timing belt change interval for the 4 banger is now 4 years, irrespective of mileage.  Of course it may have changed again since.

Cheers for the info guys. It is still a bit annoying to need the timing belt done at 44,000 miles.

I had mine changed at 4 years & it had covered just under 40,000miles,the old belt looked in good condition,however the cost to change the belt is way less than a engine rebuild or replacement should it fail,at least i know my car is fine for the next 4 years/60,000miles. 

When we bought our car it had 20,000 miles on the clock but was due a belt change.

 

The dealer wouldn't let us take the car before they had changed the belt and water pump- nor was I willing to take it before they had done this either.

 

When I double checked they were doing the pump too they said they always change the pump over at the same time for the same reasons as above... it forms part of the belt tensioner mechanism. The pump itself may be fine but a bearing failure could be fatal.

 

I mean you wouldn't change the belt but leave the old tensioners and rollers on would you?!

 

Phil

A simple case of preventative maintenance. It always puzzles me when people complain about having to get the cambelt and waterpump done. You can leave it if you like and take your chances....

 

It's also the cambelt tensioners that need renewing, as I know of a fair few VAG issues where the belt has been in fine condition, but the tensioners were clearly due for replacement. Or indeed failed before the belt did.

 

This is one of the reasons the time limit was latterly imposed; where lower mileage cars were seen to have cracked or sub-standard belts and/or tensioners in years 4-6, when still easily under the mileage limit for that given engine.

A simple case of preventative maintenance. It always puzzles me when people complain about having to get the cambelt and waterpump done. You can leave it if you like and take your chances....

 

It's also the cambelt tensioners that need renewing, as I know of a fair few VAG issues where the belt has been in fine condition, but the tensioners were clearly due for replacement. Or indeed failed before the belt did.

 

This is one of the reasons the time limit was latterly imposed; where lower mileage cars were seen to have cracked or sub-standard belts and/or tensioners in years 4-6, when still easily under the mileage limit for that given engine.

 

+1 here, my mates mk4 golf had a cam-belt change late last year due to water pump failing and pouring water everywhere. When it was done the garage also found the tensioners were well and truly knackered, belt was still OK though.

What kind of price am I looking at for the timing belt and water pump change? Mine is due in the next few months.

An VAG specialist in Hull has quoted £360 for cambelt and water pump change on my 140PD Scout, using genuine parts.

 

Mark

Auditechnik in Gloucester are doing all 1.9 & 2.0 litre Diesel engines fit £299 with the pump.

I'm booking mine in there for cambelt & other work shortly.

At that price, it would be rude not to!