Just had my 2009 (59 reg) Fabia 1.4TDI serviced - it is now 5 1/2 yrs old but only done 41k miles - from what i read on forums people say 4 yrs or 60k miles ... so am I ok to leave it till nearer 60 rather than worry about it in near future?   If its OK to leave  for now ill probably think about changing car summer 2016 before it gets near 60k.  .

 

Thanks for clarification.     

I think it's whichever comes first. Cam belts are a nightmare. It might not need changing, but do you take the risk?

no the rubber is top notch on cam belts and there is wire mesh inside took mine out of my ten year old peugeot a few months back at 70K miles looked brand new i think people hype it up more than it needs to be i wouldn't bother TBH until atleast 60K

To a degree I agree with the above posting, but it seems that it is usually the idlers and/or tensioners that give in, either way the end result is the same, knackered engine.

To the OP, do you really feel very lucky?? If not get it replaced as a full kit.

It all comes down to how big your kahunas are!

 

It is recommended by Skoda at 4 years or 60k miles for cars manufactured before September 2010.

 

The belt might still be ok but is it worth the risk.

 

Plus as above it's usually the tensioners that fail. Also worth replacing the aux belt at the same time as that can also fail and take out the cambelt with it.

 

Phil

Cavair, I've owned the 1422cc PD 80ps estate fabia and it's was a fantastic car. I'm also ex-tech and was concerned to see my cambelt was beginning to crack on the surface at just 4years and 38k miles. My tensioner was in perfect condition so I checked all the usual things to find out why the belt was starting to wear. Nothing out of place and apparently this can be fairly normal on the PD engines. The belt would probably have gone for longer without any problems. But here's the rub...PD engines are very harsh on their cambelts. You must remember it carries a much heavier load than ordinary cambelts as it drives the high pressure injectors as well as the camshafts. VAG brought the replacement time down and the mileage limit down to offset that fact. They went through a spell of belts breaking at lower mileages, not in huge numbers but enough for the whole group to alter the replacement criteria. Since then, no problems! I'd not risk it myself. A new engine costs mega amounts! Also, just a point to mention to everyone, you cannot really tell how worn a cambelt is just by looking at it. Even if the belt looks ok, with good teeth and no cracks, it's the inside of the belt that matters. They often break down from the inside out and the cracking is sometimes the final phase in the life of the belt. That's why so many folks get caught out and end up paying a heavy price. 

On the old 2005 Fabia VRS I get the cambelt, alternator belt, water-pump and renew all the anti-freeze every 5 years.

Car now done 93,000 miles, and 10 years old, if mileage don't make it, the age of the belts do.

I play it as safe as I dare, only got small kahunas...LOL

That's sensible giandougl. Although the antifreeze G12/13 doesn't need to be changed that often. It can go ten years no problem. In fact, Skoda don't now specify a time to change it.