Hi guys,

I had read over the 5-10 last years that VAG recommendation for timing belt replacement on TDI150 and TDI190 engines is 210000km without time limit (though most dealers keep on saying 5 years maximum).

I had a coolant pump failure at 62000km which obliged me to replace it. I decided to take the opportunity to change the timing belt a the same time (though at least 100000 km sooner than expected 🙄😬).

This was done 15-16 months ago by an official Skoda dealer (where I bought the car actually). My Mk3 has currently 88000 km on then clock.

Today looking under the bonnet to have quick check, I've noticed an official VAG sticker, which I had never paid attention to before. It mentions: "Warning: Next timing belt replacement in 90000km". 😳😳😳

What the h*ll is that!?!?!  😬😬

Fundamental change in VAG replacement interval or wrong sticker put on my car?

Now, I can't figure out what's the right interval for timing belt replacement. Every 90000 or every 210000km?

 

Any idea or would be much appreciated.

 

Anyway I'll go to my dealer next Wednesday to order some spare parts, since Haldex oil replacement will be due soon. I'll ask the workshop manager.

 

Edited 11 February, 20233 yr by Bap33

Do you know your engine code?  It should be with your vehicle papers.

 

Failing that, PM your VIN I will take a look quickly.

If I remember well, I think it's DFCA. I need to check this.

3 minutes ago, Bap33 said:

If I remember well, I think it's DFCA. I need to check this.

That is a valid engine code for them, should have SCR system on yours right?

Yes, it does have SCR system.

I have looked at the factory maintenance yet again, and it is 210,000km unless in a dust rich Country.  The lowest I have seen in those climate conditions is 120,000km, or a car with Bi-Turbo.  I even checked equivalent engine in VW and get same values.

 

Seems importers make up own rules, or dealers also.

If they stuck on the sticker at the dealership then that is maybe their habit.

90,000 km/ 56,000 mile ish.    5 years sort of thing.

 

Just ask the Master Tech or workshop manager.  'Is that what you have done sticking a sticker on and based on what from where'.

Edited 12 February, 20233 yr by toot

20 minutes ago, toot said:

Just ask the Master Tech or workshop manager.  'Is that what you have done sticking a sticker on and based on what from where'.

For sure, I'll ask him some explanation... So strange for me.

In the U.K. it is 5 years with no mileage officially.

 

rest of world is normally 210,000km with no time limit.

 

(not including dust climate)

 

so who knows where they got 90k miles from! 

90,000 km, 

so just under 56,000 miles was what they put on. 

On 12/02/2023 at 21:17, varooom said:

I have looked at the factory maintenance yet again, and it is 210,000km unless in a dust rich Country.  The lowest I have seen in those climate conditions is 120,000km, or a car with Bi-Turbo.  I even checked equivalent engine in VW and get same values.

 

Seems importers make up own rules, or dealers also.

Someone at VAG needs to take responsibility for this really.

 

How can factory release documents (maintenance) that state it's distance based, age has no bearing.

Then along comes the importer (or maybe dealer's!) and say that distance is not important, but age is for the belt.

 

They are either covering their backsides, but maybe one thing is obvious... the factory 210,000 km will take most "average" drivers 10 years (at a rough 20,000km a year) to reach.

Now they state 5 years, so giving them more money.

 

If they know something we don't or it seems the factory, then they need to show evidence, not just some fuel for the rumour mills.

On 11/02/2023 at 22:17, Bap33 said:

I had a coolant pump failure at 62000km which obliged me to replace it. I decided to take the opportunity to change the timing belt a the same time

 

On 11/02/2023 at 22:17, Bap33 said:

I've noticed an official VAG sticker, which I had never paid attention to before. It mentions: "Warning: Next timing belt replacement in 90000km"

 

What did the sticker actually say in French BAP33?

 

I can read what you have written in several ways, the best being that the belt will need to be changed when the vehicle has done an additional 90000km = at 152000 kms, the worst being change again at 90000kms = after driving only 28000kms on this new belt we have fitted.

 

Was the 90000kms printed on the sticker with a space for the current kilometrage to be written?

It is a bit of a mess for the times to change it.

 

UK it’s time based, everywhere else pretty much 130k miles.

 

Mine is beyond due as it’s 2016 reg, but holding off for now because of cost reasons and I averagely do about 4k miles a year, but I do know the water pump is somewhat a weak point and new pump is a different revision so better?

 

Is there a replacement time for water pump like every 5 years, and UK interrupted that as pump and belt every 5 years? As you’d be a bit mad not to do both at the same time 

@J.R.

Here is the sticker :

To me, next replacement shall be done in 90000 km (at 152000km for me), not AT 90000 (after only 28000km in my case.

Otherwise, there would be no interest in writing the replacement milage / date on the sticker.

But maybe I´m wrong…

Edited 14 February, 20233 yr by Bap33

I used that part number... and it has not been used since a 2011 car

I smell a rat myself from the dealer drumming up business.

 

Taken from Superb I factory maintenance... this is the only 90,000km seen in all the books

 

 

 

 

Question:

I used to have a CBBB engine before, can anyone guess how many km the belt is due to last?

Spoiler

 

Edited 14 February, 20233 yr by varooom

Looks like they've got a box of old stickers they're trying to get rid of without checking the contents thereof.

That would be an overly forgiving interpretation.

 

I would say that Varoom is bang on the money, hats off to him for sniffing out the rat!

1 hour ago, Bap33 said:

@J.R.

Here is the sticker :

To me, next replacement shall be done in 90000 km (at 152000km for me), not AT 90000 (after only 28000km in my case.

Otherwise, there would be no interest in writing the replacement milage / date on the sticker.

But maybe I´m wrong…

That makes sense, no ambiguity unlike what you had written which I appreciate was not intentional hence why I asked the question.

 

As Varoom has pointed out they are on the make!

As English is note my mother tongue, I may write confusing sentences sometimes...

I hope that's OK now.  

13 hours ago, Gammyleg said:

Looks like they've got a box of old stickers they're trying to get rid of without checking the contents thereof.

I discussed with Master Tech from my local official Skoda dealer this morning. That’s exactly what happened. He said it’s bullsh*t. His guys should never have used this sticker.

He was quite nerved to see that his mechanics still use stickers which are outdated for years.

He confirmed me I could remove this ugly confusing sticker and that correct timing belt replacement is every 210000km without time limit.

 

Just wanted to make a feedback with official information.  

14 hours ago, Bap33 said:

I discussed with Master Tech from my local official Skoda dealer this morning. That’s exactly what happened. He said it’s bullsh*t. His guys should never have used this sticker.

He was quite nerved to see that his mechanics still use stickers which are outdated for years.

He confirmed me I could remove this ugly confusing sticker and that correct timing belt replacement is every 210000km without time limit.

 

Just wanted to make a feedback with official information. /cdn-cgi/mirage/9e57c374cb93060481155ee016a2d7a0eb07860b410795b082ab750bfd052ab5/1280/https://www.briskoda.net/forums/uploads/emoticons/emoticon-0105-wink.gif 

Hang on, I’m not sure if everyone is getting confused.

 

According to the picture varoom posted which is the official workshop manual the belt has to be changed every 120000km.

 

Every 210000km is just for the pulley

9 hours ago, Danoid said:

Hang on, I’m not sure if everyone is getting confused.

 

According to the picture varoom posted which is the official workshop manual the belt has to be changed every 120000km.

 

Every 210000km is just for the pulley

Don't worry,  I suspect you missed the above image was for Superb I, not Superb III.  I was searching to find rhe one and only 90,000km change.  This was to find a match for the sticker the dealer placed on the timing belt cover.

 

The image here for Superb III, MY2017+

Camshaft belt and pulley is 210,000km

No time limit

 

It's 120,000km for a dusty Country.

 

Sorry if it caused confusion, it's all in the easily missed small detail