Just had a new timing belt and water pump on our 2008 tdi with 38k on the clock because I understood that 60k miles or 4 years was the required change interval. I have since noticed in the service booklet that for 3 cylinder diesels 150k km is the required change. Have I been over cautious?

I changed the belt on mine at 4 years as a precaution and it does not even have 12k on it.

 

Better to be safe than sorry if you are unsure.

Mr turpin, it's 4 years of 50k on the 1422cc PD TDI, whichever comes first. Ignore the owners manual as that is superseded by later factory advice. This is often the case with many vehicles. Manufacturers update advice concerning these things as data from the field comes in. In this instance VAG found some belts breaking (only a few) much earlier than the times they were recommending in the manual. The updated advice means you won't ever have a problem.

 

Edited because it would let me say Mr turpins first name! 

Edited 27 October, 201312 yr by Estate Man

thank you estate man.....always good to know I haven't wasted money before time.