pras1011 Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 My car has had a cam belt change at 60000 miles. Its has done 125000 miles since then and I am thinking it needs changing now. The service book is very vague on wether it was done after the 60000 miles. Anyway got all the parts for the change and gave the car to my mechanic. He calls me up and tells me that the current belt looks new and there is no play in the rollers or tensioners. He says that car looks well maintained. He says that the current belt may have only done 20000 miles and changing it will be a waste of money. I dont know what to do!!! Can someone give me advice on this? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Get it changed, if you value the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pras1011 Posted September 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 But surely if it was done recently, would it need to be done again? I am not trying to be tight but if there is plenty of life left in the current belt does it really need changing? Thanks for your reply audijohn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Well if there is NO record of the belt being changed but your man says it looks good, you can take a chance, how much is the car worth?. How could he tell the rollers had no play in them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ska Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Was the previous belt change done by an Audi stealer? If so phone them up with the particulars of the car and they may be able confirm the mileage at which the service was carried out. Its what I did when I bouth mine and its better to be safe than sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 [ QUOTE ] My car has had a cam belt change at 60000 miles. Its has done 125000 miles since then and I am thinking it needs changing now. Thanks [/ QUOTE ] Are you saying that to your knowledge it's done 125,000 miles since the last change? If so I'd get it changed asap unless you can confirm it's been done very recently... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A8_Tony Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 The normal intervals are 80k, so it should need doing at 80, 160, 240 etc.....but as has been suggested, call an Audi dealer and see what info they have for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pras1011 Posted September 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 The last 2 stamps in the book arent audi stamps (i think). But I will check when I get home. The service book entries are a bit vague. My mechanic says that the belts have been done recently as they look very new. I believe him as hes very trustworthy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Do you trust him to the tune of £700 for a belt change or even for £3-4K for an engine rebuild if it goes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pras1011 Posted September 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 My mechanic is usually honest!! I do trust him and he has done a few A8 in his 25 year experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 My closing post on this subject: I have seen many A8 belts ( and yes they are strong)that look new but they aint, there is NO WAY your man can tell that the waterpump/pully bearings and rollers are in good nick without strip-down, you pays ya money ya takes ya chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will22 Posted September 11, 2006 Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 I had my belt done on the A8 I had a few years back and the tech said the same thing, there was 85k on the car and it hadn't been changed before. If it were me then I'd do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pras1011 Posted September 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2006 Ok I will do it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alera Posted September 12, 2006 Report Share Posted September 12, 2006 I agree with all the above its welll past its life get it changed. If it goes its the end of the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronmcl Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Was in my local indie the other day and he had an S3 sitting outside that he'd just finished re-building. The owner had decided to save some cash and not bother changing the belt when it was due. 10k later it snapped! Result = all 20 valves bent! Think it might be worth just getting it done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pras1011 Posted September 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Peeps I will definately get it all changed. The labour is only £180! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ska Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 All 20valves bent! Is that possible? If the belt brakes then even after repeated turning of the starter/crank is it still possible to hammer the valves that are closed or partially closed? as the top end stays stationary or is that because the mechanics don't stop instantaneously Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 [ QUOTE ] All 20valves bent! Is that possible? If the belt brakes then even after repeated turning of the starter/crank is it still possible to hammer the valves that are closed or partially closed? as the top end stays stationary or is that because the mechanics don't stop instantaneously [/ QUOTE ] It's possible I guess due to the inertia but pretty unlikely. When it goes though it does mor damage to the engine than the values. Pistons get hit a sometimes break, the valve seat assembly can be ruined and depending on engine speed/stress the block itself can be compromised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronmcl Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 I may have picked him up wrongly - they'd certainly replaced all the valves, but whether they'd all actually been bent or whether some unbent ones had simply been replaced as a matter of course while it was stripped down anyway I don't know. And yes, I believe there was quite a bit of damage other than just the valves. I'll get a fuller answer next time I'm in... which will be quite soon as me front pads have gone... again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ska Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 I wish the my front pads were shot the incessant sqealing is driving me nuts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pras1011 Posted September 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Ska are you using the lucar twr pads? I use them and they sqeal only when I come to a stop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 Change em anyway... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rothwell Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I wish the my front pads were shot the incessant sqealing is driving me nuts [/ QUOTE ] There is some spray you can buy that you spray into the caliper/pad area which intheory eliminates the squelling, I don't know if it works or not though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atomic Posted September 14, 2006 Report Share Posted September 14, 2006 And it's NOT WD40 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ska Posted September 15, 2006 Report Share Posted September 15, 2006 Yeah its copper grease and it squeals only as you come to a stop or crawl in traffic with your foot on the stop pedal. I'm soo tempted to chuck 'em and replace them. Though I cant remember what make they were... in any case anything other tha OE is crap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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