Now, this issue has been discussed & I guess I know the answer, but here goes. 1999 1.8T 30000 miles 5 years old, should I change the cam belt/ tensioner & associated parts now. I have researched how to change, any one have 1st hand experience of changing cam belt on :confuse: :confuse: :fart: the 1.8T ?

Regards

JM

Changed loads of them.

They should be done every 80,000 miles of five years. Its well worth changing the roller and the tensioning damper as it has been know for the top seal to leak on the damper which causes loss of tension on the cambelt.

They arent bad to do but not a driveway job really. Biggest problem is the engine mounting, theres not enough room to remove it completely from the car so you have to work around it which can be frustrating at times.

Paul (ffelan) can give you a few tips on what not to do! Skoda specifies replacing the belt at 180,000 km (120,000 miles) but the conservative advice on this forum is to change it earlier, ie at 60,000 miles - although that would be after 10 years if your car continues to put on miles at the current rate. If I were in your position I think I would change the belt after 5 years assuming that I could do it myself.

As Ross says... it's not really a driveway job - I have changed them in a fully equipped workshop on ramp - and I still would not do my own!! - I would rather pay someone - as Ross says there just isnt enough room - would be a 1000% easier with just a couple of more inches (ooh er missus )

For peace of mind it's defo worth having done - and a small cost compared to repairing the damage post failure !!

I often chuckle to myself when I see the 120,000 miles interval.

VAG advise this on all 1.8T engines. When I started at SEAT there was a big upset with leasing companies as they didnt want to pay for the belts until then as they are the guidelines set out by the manufacturer not the dealer. One Leon Cupra bust its belt at 85,000 miles that they had and they changed thier minds funnily enough.

The belt might last, but theres not gurantee's on the damper lasting that long...lol.

Should charge around 4 hours labour for the cambelt plus the belt, tensioner, and damper.

I often chuckle to myself when I see the 120' date='000 miles interval.

VAG advise this on all 1.8T engines. When I started at SEAT there was a big upset with leasing companies as they didnt want to pay for the belts until then as they are the guidelines set out by the manufacturer not the dealer. One Leon Cupra bust its belt at 85,000 miles that they had and they changed thier minds funnily enough.

The belt might last, but theres not gurantee's on the damper lasting that long...lol.

Should charge around 4 hours labour for the cambelt plus the belt, tensioner, and damper.[/quote']

Every time we get an update for cambelt intervals they seem to be coming down - slowly but defo down - A4 non Turbo is quoted as KM figure now rather than the 80,000 miles -- oh suprise suprise that equates to 74,000 :confused:

When I mention to Merritts in Aylesbury that I wanted the cambelt replaced at 60K they looked at me puzzled and pointed out that it wasn't needed until 80K.

Usually dealers advise diesel cambelts at 60,000 miles and petrol ones at 80,000.

i always advise 60k or 5 years no matter what engine and as for the 120k change interval vag can easily escape that one by saying it still recommends that the belt is inspected at each and every service (like you can see round all of the belt without taking it off).