Cambelt Change for 2.0 TDI (GT 140 CR)

[M3 SHAM]

Hi Guys,

My car will soon be approaching 4 years old and I am trying to work out if it requires a cambelt change.  According to the hand book the cam belt is due at 120,000 miles but there is no mention of a time limit.  After speaking to a couple of dealers and indys as well as a search on the net I getting answers like:

120,000 or 4 years whatever comes sooner
120,000 or 5 years whatever comes sooner
120,000 or 7 years whatever comes sooner
120,000 with no time restriction

My car will be on or around 80,000 miles by the time its 4 years and i am just a bit miffed as to when the belt would be due.  Ideally I could do with not having it done this year due to financial constraints but obviously would not do this if it was definativly required.

Could any shed any light on this?

[Candy Man]

Hi m8, the fact that the car is nearly 4 years old means that its time for a new belt etc, atleast thats what vw recommends, if you can change it, then do it, because if belt lets go, your looking at a new engine,
I realise that your mileage isnt high on the car, its the age deteriation on the rubber belt thats the problem.
Hth

Cal

[M3 SHAM]

Hi m8, the fact that the car is nearly 4 years old means that its time for a new belt etc, atleast thats what vw recommends, if you can change it, then do it, because if belt lets go, your looking at a new engine,
I realise that your mileage isnt high on the car, its the age deteriation on the rubber belt thats the problem.
Hth

Cal

Hi mate do you have link to some official VW information that states this?  I have been told by one VW dealer belt needs to be changed at 4 years but my local VW dealer tells me that it is 5 years?

Thanks

[dubber36]

My car will be 4 years old in January and will have done about 35,000miles. I will definitely be having a cambelt then.

4 years has been the norm for a long time until very recently when VW extended it to 5 years for new models.

[Candy Man]

As dubber has said above m8^^^ i also think it says in cars handbook as well.

[M3 SHAM]

My car will be 4 years old in January and will have done about 35,000miles. I will definitely be having a cambelt then.

4 years has been the norm for a long time until very recently when VW extended it to 5 years for new models.

This is exactly what my local VW dealer has told

4 years for PD engine
5 years for CR engine (Aparaently uses a newer technolagy belt?)

[M3 SHAM]

As dubber has said above m8^^^ i also think it says in cars handbook as well.

Normally i go by exactly what the hand book says, but it clearly states 120,000 miles and no mention of a time frame.  Incedently I have just had a look at a friends Audi A3 hand book (his is a 2.0 TDI CR) which i believe is the same engine and his quite clearly states 5 years 

[Candy Man]

Go with the 5 year plan then m8   

[M3 SHAM]

Go with the 5 year plan then m8   

Perhaps you could post a link to the source of your knowledge?

If anyone has a link to any official VW information regarding times of the belt change rather their own opinions this would be very helpful.  It does seem rather strange that main dealers are giving conflicting advice

Thanks

[Candy Man]

thats why i said go with 5 year plan m8, if thats what youve been told, have a read here as it may help

http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11201