spidermike Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 Hi! I received a letter from Audi suggesting I replace the cam belt at their recommended interval. My A4 cab is approaching 4 years with 65k miles on clock. Phoned around a few different dealers and the "recommended interval" ranged from 80k to 120k miles! Does anyone here know the official Audi recommendation? I've assumed if any problems with cam belt then it would be covered under warranty; is this normally the case? (They extended my 3 years to 4 because I complained about some other stuff and I'm planning to add another year to it..) Many thanks all Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 It depends what engine you have, which you forgot to mention! Welcome to TSN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve2 Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 at 4 years old i would do it as i think you would have a battle with a warrenty claim. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_tdi Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 My dealer claimed that Audi now say whatever mileage depending on engine, or every four years whichever comes first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spidermike Posted October 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 Thanks - it's 2.4 (tiptronic). Just dug out the service schedule that came with car (had from new) and it says 80k miles with no time interval. Called Audi Service (0800 699888) and the cust rep checked with their Audi technical team and it said it's currently 120k miles and no time interval! I asked her what would happen if a problem caused by cam belt "failure" before 120k and under an Audi warranty and she couldn't be specific, only "take it to dealer if problem and they would check it and we'd probably make a contribution.." I don't want to shell out for preventative work at 66k miles when the manufacturer thinks it should be good for another 50k! Also, if I could put money to Audi extended warranty so if something did happen I'd be in a decent position (??) for them to pick-up the costs. What do folks think/experiences of this? Cheers All Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 Welcome to Tyresmoke, Mike As above - it'll vary depending on your engine and what kind of life it's had. If your cambelt breaks, it's not covered by warranty if it's not been changed at the recommended interval - kinda hard if you can't get a straight answer from one dealer! Best to be safe than sorry, as it's very expensive if it snaps. It's the belt and the tensioners that need to be changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 [ QUOTE ] "we'd probably make a contribution.." [/ QUOTE ] That's where the catch is. The words "probably" and "contribution" are their get out of jail free cards. If your manual says 80K, then I would go for 80K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spidermike Posted October 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 Thanks another dealer told me 80k or 5 years whichever comes 1st, so I'm leaning towards leaving it and reviewing again next year - with Audi warranty cover in between.. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spidermike Posted October 23, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 Wanted to share this with group after getting feedback direct from Audi website (names have been removed to protect privacy): From: Txxxxx, Christopher [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 17 October 2007 13:56 To: Mike Subject: RE: Cam belt query There is no time limit – change cam belt at 120,000 miles – hope that this is helpful Regards -----Original Message----- From: Mike Sent: 17 October 2007 12:19 To: Txxxxx, Christopher Subject: RE: Cam belt query Could you also confirm that no time interval is linked to this, i.e. replace after 5 years or 120,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Thanks Mike -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Txxxxx, Christopher [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 17 October 2007 12:26 To: Mike Subject: Cam belt query Dear Mr Mike Thank you for your e-mail of 16th October. I have taken further advice from colleagues in the Technical Department who inform me that the cam belt on your particular vehicle should be changed at 120,000 miles. Regards Christopher Txxxxx Correspondence Adviser Audi Customer Services Tel: 088 699 888 Fax: 01133932585 [email protected] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shark_90 Posted October 23, 2007 Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 I would be taking that up with someone senior at Audi UK, because that can't be right! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvantSE Posted October 23, 2007 Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 Interval on the 2.0 20v is supposed to be 115K miles, which is when the wife's had hers done. Seems like a long time though, when some need doing at about half that mileage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Posted October 23, 2007 Report Share Posted October 23, 2007 Disagree with that, my old cab was a 2.4 like yours and I had the cambelt and water pump replaced at 60k, as per audi's recommendation and I was lead to believe the 2.5 diesel was at 80k so not sure where your contact at Audi quoted those figures from. I decided to get this replaced as I was doing alot of motorway miles at the time. If your cambelt goes you will probably get an expensive repair bill. I would suggest getting the water pump replaced at the same time as the labour cost , about £500 or so is the same for removing the water pump or cambelt Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted October 24, 2007 Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 They can say 120K all they want. 80K is the max I would be prepared to take any cambelt to, especially after I had one let go about 6 years ago It's a bit like changing the engine oil every 5K miles. Well, not technically, of course - not absolutely necessary, but gives me peace of mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spidermike Posted October 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted October 24, 2007 I asked Audi to give their position on the cam belt failing while under warranty and below the mileage they recommend changin. Here's the vague reply (and again stating 120k!): -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Snnnnnn, Lyndsay [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 24 October 2007 19:08 To: Mike Subject: Cambelt. Dear Mr Thank you for your recent email regarding cambelt issues. The covering of cambelt failure under warranty is completely dependant on the cause of failure. There are no ‘NORMAL’ conditions as to why a cambelt would fail. This is extremely rare and should a cambelt fail purely by manufacturing defect, then yes warranty would be upheld should there be a warranty be in place. The current recommended cambelt change interval is indeed 120K. Thanking you kindly. Miss Lyndsay Snnnnnn Audi (UK) Customer Services 0800699888 ext nnnnn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted October 25, 2007 Report Share Posted October 25, 2007 What I read into that reply is "we'll say it's covered, but when it comes down to it, it won't be, because we'll try and blame another part which costs £1.74, but you'll be hit with a bill for £3,000 to rebuild your engine because the valves will have punched nice holes through the tops of your pistons". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian_C Posted October 25, 2007 Report Share Posted October 25, 2007 Don't risk it. Expensive, but I just add a cambelt to the price I am buying a second hand car for. Doesn't quite seem as bad when you look at it like that - plus you might even be able to lever the seller down a bit. 120k is bonkers. B5 RS4 owners have agreed that 40k is about the time to change the belts and water pump. A third of the mileage. Whilst the 2.4 engine in the cab is much more relaxed - obviously nowhere near as tuned as the bonkers 375 bhp + Audi Cosworth 2.7 biturbo - there is no way I'd keep the original belts for 120k. Age also plays a part too, especially if the car is parked outside overnight and all the moisture in the engine bay freezes. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazep Posted October 26, 2007 Report Share Posted October 26, 2007 Guys Talking from experience here - although I had a different engine - Get the cambelt serviced and the water pump changed at no more than 60k. I had a 52 plate 1.8t a4 (5 yrs and 62k) with a knackered water pump which cost me £4000 to get sorted. I have heard there is a probmlem with some of the water pumps Audi use which caused a failure leading to the striping of the cambelt and the engine hurting itself rather badly. After much to-ing and fro-ing with Audi UK and the local stealer, I managed to get 30% off a new Audi fitted engine (stealer took me for all he could). Rediculous when I had had a "long life" service with the same dealer 3 months before!!! Really dented my trust in Audi. Baz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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