Cambelt Schedule - CONFUSED!

[The Pielander]

I had mine done last month (53 Plate TDI 130 Sport). I had it in my mind that it was 5 years or 60k miles but the service book just says 60k miles. The garage said 4 years 60k miles so I got it done anyway. It's a peace of mind thing - once you have it in your head it will nag you. In the days between booking the car in for the work and the new cambelt day itself I found myself driving very cautiously so as not to stress the engine in case it snapped

 

[andycupra]

you've got a lot to learn...ever seen an engine after a belt has gone? not pretty.
general concesus of probably 99% on here.. get it done earlier than later.

changing at 60,000 is earlier.. originally they said 120,000 miles with inspections from 60,000 miles.
Most places advise changing at 60,000 miles, so 64,000 is a little over but not out of order.

 

[andycupra]

his thread is good, got to book mine in this afternoon I thought it was 5 years or 60k thou, oops mine is a 54 plate at 38k! Gotta get mine serviced too gonna cost a fortune by the sounds of it!

used to be 5 years.

 

[Aimez]

I had mine done last month (53 Plate TDI 130 Sport). I had it in my mind that it was 5 years or 60k miles but the service book just says 60k miles. The garage said 4 years 60k miles so I got it done anyway. It's a peace of mind thing - once you have it in your head it will nag you. In the days between booking the car in for the work and the new cambelt day itself I found myself driving very cautiously so as not to stress the engine in case it snapped

That's how I feel at the moment think I may just get it done car is 2004 but only on 38k so think from what everyone has said it would be a good idea even if the garage think it isn't due. Will not be surprised if they say it's not due as this thread has shown everyone has a different schedule it seems!

 

[cupra.al]

the garage will want your money and will more than likely say you could do with one,just have one for piece of mind i say,its like long life servicing {or 20k services} i dont believe these should exist as all oil looses its viscosity meaning it becomes pretty much useless oil starts life at one thickness ends at another the only way to make it last longer is to make it to thick for the engine making it no good. sorry i always go off topic but im intrested in knowing what other people think about long life servicing?

 

[Aimez]

MY colleague who was a tec for VW says there is nothing wrong with long life oil in VWs he has worked on enough to know. But I see what you mean. The garage won't just tell me it need doin the guy who runs it is married to my dads sister ie family and very good to me if it does not need doing he tells me and has done before.

 

[cupra.al]

cool cool your quite lucky then. personally id never buy a car with longlife services done on it. i used to be a mechanic for skoda we did them there i always saw it as an easyway for salesman to sell the car as the customer always thought i wont have to spend much on servicing which is true but im dam sure the oil was still the same grade. i think its a gimic.

 

[Aimez]

I think he actually only said the oil is good he did say he would still have it serviced just not oil changed. Guess will see in the next few years what cars last longer with less oil changes!

 

[cupra.al]

indeed although it was quite a few years ago for me so theres already lots of cars out there with these services. do you have longlife oil changes? ive always seen them as pointless especially as you dont get longlife oil filters which are changed with the oil.

 

[robreidmotors]

Longlife might be okay with fully synthetic, apparently it doesnt break down as much as part synthetic.

Mind you I always have the view that if you have new oil in your engine you know everything is okay. Plus if you do it yourself doesnt cost much, I do mine every 5k and it costs about £14 for good Fuchs oil and a few quid for a filter, same for flush.

 

[cupra.al]

whats fuchs oil? 5k oil and filter changes is well sensible and definatly worth it just think of all that metal to metal contact especially after 20k.

 

[Aimez]

No I don't have my car serviced whenever it need it I don't do many miles thou, service time on monday actually!

 

[robreidmotors]

Fuchs is supposed to be used by VW and some other manufacturers, might be wrong but i read it on the net. Ive used it two ibizas including my current one and its the best ive used. This judging by smoothness of engine and it lasts well.

Ive used castrol before which i didnt rate. Halfords was good stuff in my dads corsa, and I dont think you can go wrong with Mobil. Lots of others people have probably mentioned on here.

Fuchs is difficult to get but you can get it cheapest from gsf parts, also opieoils.

 

[the_fbi]

Which dealers have been quoting ~£300?

Best I've had is from Ted Johnson using the SCN discount which made it £400.

Local dealer (Motorvogue, Northampton) was £475.49

This was for belt, pump, tensioner on an Ibiza 130 TDI Sport.

Interestingly neither Jam Sport or VAGTech bothered responding to my enquiry.

 

[Torquemonster]

whats fuchs oil? 5k oil and filter changes is well sensible and definatly worth it just think of all that metal to metal contact especially after 20k.

My old 1.3 Cavalier had done 243,000 miles on the same engine(with no rebuilds). Only had to change the gearbox bearings.Changed the oil and filter every 5k.Speaks for itself really!.

 

[Torquemonster]

Which dealers have been quoting ~£300?

Best I've had is from Ted Johnson using the SCN discount which made it £400.

Local dealer (Motorvogue, Northampton) was £475.49

This was for belt, pump, tensioner on an Ibiza 130 TDI Sport.

Interestingly neither Jam Sport or VAGTech bothered responding to my enquiry.

Seat Stirling £330,Seat Glenrothes £299(special offer).That was for a 130 Sport.

I know labour rates vary wildly from one part of the country to the other though.

 

[RUM4MO]

My old 1.3 Cavalier had done 243,000 miles on the same engine(with no rebuilds). Only had to change the gearbox bearings.Changed the oil and filter every 5k.Speaks for itself really!.

I agree, the oil is really the life blood of an engine, I'd run a Fiesta 1.6 with a Zetec engine (wifes car) for over 90,000 miles from new changing the oil every 6 months/4500 miles with a Comma Engine Flush 100 miles before every other oil and filter change - actually used Comma X-Tec oil as well as Ford had not worked out what oil to use with these engines at the beginning - but Comma had!

Fuchs oil from GSF delivery could be (was) delivery free for internet orders - (Parcel Force) and very cheap - as said already it is supposed to be what VAG use at engine plant for initial fills.

If you are really keen to keep costs down, buy genuine VAG filters at your local VAG car show (buy ahead) and Fuchs oil from GSF. Castrol used to be well thought of, but they do control prices and their outlets do not carry a good range of their products - so they are really only catering for the older cars and traditionalists. Halfords fully synthetic I believe is Mobil and can be good value of money when on special offer.