Got the superb serviced today (1.9PD) and was told that since it is 4 years old it needs a cam belt change.

However, the rear of the service sheet says it only needs doing after 60K miles.

So which is it? Any ideas chaps??

The PD engine is a renowned cambelt breaker due to the very high loadings imposed by the unit injectors. It seems that VAG have found that a fair number of these fail after year 4 due to material degradation of the belt. I believe this recommendation has not been made in all countries where this engine is sold.

If you move the front lock carrier into the service position (M8 studding required, available in B&Q) and buy the crank and camwheel locking tools from Laser tools, it's not actually a very difficult job to do, especially as the belt tensioner is automatic and so doesn't need setting. Unlike the earlier VAG diesels, the pump timing does not need to be reset using VAGCOM softwear; the camwheel carries vernier adjustment slots. Haynes manual 4279 (B5 Passat) explains this reasonably well.

Change both idler wheels and the water pump whilst you're at it. GSF is good for spares.

rotodiesel.

Got the superb serviced today (1.9PD) and was told that since it is 4 years old it needs a cam belt change.

However, the rear of the service sheet says it only needs doing after 60K miles.

So which is it? Any ideas chaps??

How much did the dealer quote for carrying out this task?

Pete:D

Dealer price for cam belt change is £400. I got the water pump and cambelt kit for £90 and got my brother to do it. Took him about 3 hrs i think. As above, it wasn't that hard to do, but does require un-bolting and removal of the entire front end.

As above, it wasn't that hard to do, but does require un-bolting and removal of the entire front end.

Removing the front end isn't too bad, done it once or twice, just wonder how difficult changing the belt really is, think I will get my mechanic to do it next time.

Your brother did it in the end then Fluffy?

Yeh, it took 3hrs approx. He's doing my service next week too.

especially as the belt tensioner is automatic and so doesn't need setting.

On the older ones yes. But have had a manual tensioner for a number of years now, basically the same as the older injection pump diesels with a pointer to set the tension.

Cambelt is now 4 years or 60K whichever occurs first. Could just be an out of date service sheet.

All the other advice above I would go along with.

All service sheets are just about out of date now as most of the servicing information is taken directly off Skodas internet system and printed out for that specific vehicle.

Right then, I had my cambelt changed at 70k, I assume that I need to get it changed again at 140k? Just about to clock up 120k at the moment......

Cambelt change at 60k miles I'm afraid. So at 120k you need to do it now. Happy xmas and new year at home I'm afraid. LOL!!

How much did the dealer quote for carrying out this task?

Pete:D

I was quoted

Got the superb serviced today (1.9PD) and was told that since it is 4 years old it needs a cam belt change.

However, the rear of the service sheet says it only needs doing after 60K miles.

So which is it? Any ideas chaps??

All done today, costing me about

Cambelt change at 60k miles I'm afraid. So at 120k you need to do it now. Happy xmas and new year at home I'm afraid. LOL!!

As everybody seems to be indicating that the cam belt needs changing on the 1.9 TDi at 60,000 I thought I would ask my dealer today when my cars is due, (it's done 52k) .

The reply came, for a 1.9Tdi 130, registered before June 2003, 60k,, cars registered after that date 80k, mine is June 2004 registered so it is not due until 80k or 4 years

My Superb was first registered Nov 2003 and I was told the cambelt cvhange is due at 80k as rosesteve confirmed,

Mine's Nov 2003 and I was told 60k miles?? Mine autodata disc also confirms this. I had mine done at 55k miles as I wasn't willing to take the rist of a £1000 repair bill when it snaps

Hi everyone, I have jut booked my October 05 100PS diesel Superb in for its second service at 35000 miles.

The dealer told me it is due a cambelt change at 40000 miles and offered to do it for

Hi everyone, I have jut booked my October 05 100PS diesel Superb in for its second service at 35000 miles.

The dealer told me it is due a cambelt change at 40000 miles and offered to do it for

The PD diesel engines are belt killers. You can't have it all ways - the engine injects fuel at 2,000 Atmos (nearly 30,000 psi) and the stress on the cam drive in order to build up this pressure in a short time is very high. The engine also needs special oil because of the similarly high stresses on the unit injector cams and roller followers. The upside of all this, of course is excellent performance and fuel economy.

As with other issues such as engine oil, the information from VAG is a model of confusion.

I would not allow a belt to run for more than 4 years or for longer than 50k miles on any PD engine. Change the water pump and both rollers whilst the front of the car is pulled forward.

Hi everyone, I got my email response from Skoda UK today which might be correct ! See below...

Ref: TG 167087

Dear Mr McNeill

Thank you for your email.

I am pleased to confirm that the service interval for changing your cambelt is 120,000 km (74520 miles). However, we at Skoda UK, also recommend that the cambelt is changed when the vehicle has reached 4 years of age, irrespective of the mileage the vehicle has covered.

I trust this information will be useful and I would like to thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Yours sincerely

Terry Gallagher

Customer Service Specialist

SkodaAuto Customer Service