Cambelt on MK5 TDI

[2007GTI]

So I got the cambelt done on my GTI.

The garage I brought my sisters Golf from phoned up and says her 4 year old 1.9 MK5 TDI needs a cambelt too.

However my Dad who has the same engine in his 5 year old Passat says it doesnt need one yet, as his car hasnt had one, nor has he been told to have one!

comments please!

[jaydubveedub]

I think you should be getting it done after 4 years, regardless of mileage because the condition of the belt deteriorates.

VW seem to quote lots of different intervals for cambelt changes but do you really want to take the risk for the sake of £299???

[2007GTI]

Yeah its a risk, but have you ever heard of a cambelt going on a 4 year old car with 40k?

[ub7rm]

I am utterly convinced it is just a scam.  The same audi engines as our GTI's don't have a 4 year time limit.  Neither does the rest of the world - the four year thing was a VW UK thing.

In the interests of keeping a full service history I have however had it done on mine.  It gets it out of the way and the cost at stealers isn't too bad at the moment. 

[jaydubveedub]

^ Agree. Failure at that age/mileage is unlikely, however I plan on keeping the car for a while so got it done for peace of mind and to get it out of the way.

[Wayne]

Cambelts can degrade over time hence why they recommend 4 / 5 years no matter what the miles.

[AlanD]

I am utterly convinced it is just a scam.

Same

In the interests of keeping a full service history I have however had it done on mine. 

Same lol 

[adi]

I work at audi and all the engine's are practically the same and our cam belt change is reccomended at 75k or 5 years on any car from 2004 onwards.

[Organisys]

Read the car's service manual ?