Hello my friends!

 

When I bought my '51 plate VRS, the cambelt had been changed at 80k, and I had it done again at 120k after she'd done 40k miles.

 

She's now on 160k, so done another 40k since last time - and I was thinking about having it done again.

 

However - looking round the web, I'm getting a lot of conflicting figures....some people being cautious at 30k, others saying it's fine for 60k, a few saying 90k!!

 

It's a pricey job so I don't want to unless I have to obviously - but then again, 300 quid versus a lunched engine (and ergo a written-off car really) is a no-brainer.

 

What are you guys doing? Your thoughts please as usual. Thanks!

 

 

I tend to go by 'best before' of the belt unless I'm doing mega miles which Continental recommend as 4-5 years (which includes time on the shelf). If I'm clicking up the miles, I'd be working to what you have done of between 35 and 40k.

I think the one in my Ibiza tdi will go for longer on mileage (60k minimum I think), so I'll go by the 4-5 years...unless I get this job in Swansea which is 1.5 hours away!

60k or four years.

Technically is was inspect at 60k, then every 20k after that. Replace if required unless it got to 120k then replace regardless.

Had mine done after 5 years but probably only 30k added.  Belt was perfect but got it changed anyway.

Holy moley I don't think I'd dare take one to 80k, let alone 120k. 35-40 is being cautious but it's one of those things for peace of mind like you say.

My grande punto had 90k belt change intervals.... when I changed it at 90k , it was "as new" ...  what I DID regret was not doing the water pump at the same time as that failed 10k later #facepalm. so i would be happy enough to change at 60k. mine was done last year at about 153k,and waterpump,  (doubt it was the first change!) its now 155,500 ..... I certainly wont be panicking about it I will probably go for the 4 year interval

Edited 25 March, 201610 yr by sharkrider

My grande punto had 90k belt change intervals.... when I changed it at 90k , it was "as new" ...  what I DID regret was not doing the water pump at the same time as that failed 10k later #facepalm. so i would be happy enough to change at 60k. mine was done last year at about 153k,and waterpump,  (doubt it was the first change!) its now 155,500 ..... I certainly wont be panicking about it I will probably go for the 4 year interval

Always do the pump as well, especially oem plastic impeller one as the new belt will finish off an old one in no time.

Had mine done a couple of months after I bought mine was on 76k  I think when changed (just under 10 years) , garage said I was lucky as belt had a split in it. Also possibly original belt.