Hi again

Hoping for some more good advice! Cam belt is at 40K ,5 years approx. I know there is a lot of controversy around timings of cam belt changes,and it seems the precautionary principle is the main view.Expensive principle but fair enough.I was having the belt changed because I could occasionally here a low rumble at tick over. Thinking tensioner pulley or something potentially very nasty. However,the rumble disappears when the clutch is pressed,and on my VW T4 I was told a new dual mass flywheel was needed.And it was .Replacing the flywheel,clutch etc will surely be more expensive than the belt.I'm guessing the DMF will rumble on for a good while.(car has 134K on the clock) I'd really appreciate some views on the whole situation. I can't pretend cost is not a consideration. I suspect having both jobs done would be beyond me at the moment,but do I have a choice really?

Long post 🙄

Thanks for taking the time.

Mick

If cambelt and tensioner was only done 40k and 5 years ago I reckon there's very little chance that is involved in this rumble or likely to cause any other problems for a good while.

I agree with Pete. 40k and 5 years as long as a decent make of belt and tensioner etc was used should be ok. Never had one rumble before plus if it disappears when clutch is pressed it points to clutch/DMF/gearbox/release bearing not belt as belt etc would still be turning when clutch is engaged or disengaged . I would run it and monitor the rumble. If it gets noticeably worse then more investigation may be needed. Depending on the style of driving previously it may be the clutch/flywheel/release bearing that's failing at that mileage

Alasdair

Thanks Pete and Alasdair that's reassuring, the belt is at a change point from the time point of view, but there's quite a bit of discussion around that whole issue.

It was when I noticed the noise went on depressing the clutch that I remembered about the dual mass flywheel on the T4. It's just doesn't seem black and white with cam belt stuff. Obviously would be lovely to do it all.... if in a perfect world...

Thanks

5 minutes ago, jtj321 said:

the belt is at a change point

No, not according to current recommendations.

Ah cheers that's interesting, I read there are variations depending on the country, what is the current recommendation here then?

VW group in UK previously recommended every 5 years, but that was dropped in mid 2023.

Not sure if there is any time interval at all now, but mileage recommendation varies with engine code, big distances though.

Thanks for that. Seems the belt change thing was a bit of amoney spinner.

I'll save the £700 and put it towards the clutch and flywheel.👍

I'd double check that you actually have a DMF, my 1.6tdi '16 plate, is a SMF and thats according to Skoda, Autodoc say same too.

Edited 7 June7 Jun by adg1

Thanks, I'll use Autodoc, something's rattling though....

On the 1.6tdi I think it depends what Gbox and if its start/stop. I always assumed mine was DMF but on checking it may not be.

Alasdair

17 hours ago, Alasdair1 said:

17 hours ago, Alasdair1 said:

On the 1.6tdi I think it depends what Gbox and if its start/stop. I always assumed mine was DMF but on checking it may not be.

Alasdair

Yep i had always budgeted for a DMF, pleasantly surprised to find its a SMF, mine has the 6sp box & SS but i believe it applies to the 5sp too.
Skoda UK said there is no DMF for the mk3 1.6........

Mines a late MK2 12 plate so hope its aa SMF as well.

Alasdair