Audi A3 - The 2nd timing belt-change?

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
View Threaded
Mon 7 Sep 2015 11:06
Audi A3 - The 2nd timing belt-change? - FoxyJukebox

My Audi A3 is shortly to be 8 years old having done a total of 65,000 miles. Four years ago it had the timing belt changed-as recomended by Audi . Should I have it changed again?...all comments recomended.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 7 Sep 2015 11:20
Audi A3 - The 2nd timing belt-change? - craig-pd130

Which engine do you have? Generally speaking, it is best to stick to the manufacturer's recommendation re timing belt & tensioner replacements.

The belts do not last forever, the material ages through heat etc even if you do less than average mileage. And the tensioner mechanisms (usually changed at the same time) can be fragile on some cars.

My 10p worth: if you plan to keep the car, I'd get it done. If you plan to sell it in the next few months, I probably wouldn't get it done, but would expect a potential buyer to use it as a haggling point.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 7 Sep 2015 11:44
Audi A3 - The 2nd timing belt-change? - slkfanboy

Definately ask Audi, Belts do brake

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 8 Sep 2015 20:23
Audi A3 - The 2nd timing belt-change? - John F

The belts do not last forever, the material ages through heat etc

Not significantly. They are designed to withstand heat. Anyway, they don't get hot unless the things they are driving start to seize.

Modern cambelts will last the life of the engine as long as the things they drive don't provide undue resistance or break/seize. I have never changed a cambelt on any of the cars we used to have with them - one lasted over 240,000m although I did have to change an imminently seizing tension pulley ('94 Passat 2.0 GL). Most manufacturers are overly cautious for obvious reasons although Ford's ecoboost is for life and Citroen C4 is 160,000 or 10yrs. Just inspect it and give it a squirt of belt dressing every couple of years.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 9 Sep 2015 09:47
Audi A3 - The 2nd timing belt-change? - skidpan

I bought a genuine Ford cam belt, guide pulley and tensioner for a Ford 2 litre zetec a couple of years ago. It cost the equivalent of 2 tanks of petrol and 1/2 a day changing it (could do it faster next time). Ford rate them at 10 years or 100,000 miles, I changed it at 10 years.

£110 for bits spread over 10 years, thats 3 pence a day.

Although the belt looked fine there was some play in the guide pulley, the pulley was actually about the same price as the belt, the tensioner was more. The alternative is simple risk it and possibly end up scrapping the car or fitting a fresh engine both of which will cost more and be far less convenient.

If you are not prepared to maintain your car sensibly I would suggest you should not drive.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 9 Sep 2015 18:20
Audi A3 - The 2nd timing belt-change? - FoxyJukebox

OK-folk change their cars after 5 years or so these days-but why do motor manufacturers expect their customers to only keep their cars maintained by the service book guidelines?. I look forward to the day when a motoring maintenance logbook gives plain language guidelines-such as ...

1) under no circumstances avoid changing a timing belt

2) tyres ,even with max tread only last 5 years

3) expect your complete exhaust system to fail after 8 years

4) change brakes -discs /pads etc after 4 years or earlier.

5) even if your car passs it's MOT-always have the "advisables" dealt with immediately

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Wed 9 Sep 2015 19:17
Audi A3 - The 2nd timing belt-change? - John F

I look forward to the day when a motoring maintenance logbook gives plain language guidelines-such as ...

1) under no circumstances avoid changing a timing belt

2) tyres ,even with max tread only last 5 years

3) expect your complete exhaust system to fail after 8 years

4) change brakes -discs /pads etc after 4 years or earlier.

5) even if your car passs it's MOT-always have the "advisables" dealt with immediately

A garage owner's dream! You missed off annual oil change, no matter how low the mileage or what type of oil.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide