Timing belts... how often do you need to change?

onimpulse

I was told today by my garage when I rang to book my car in for a service that I'd need to replace the timing belt.

The car is a 2004 reg & it's got 35k miles on it... does this sound right? I thought with the low mileage that I'd get a bit longer but the girl on the phone said that given the age of the car I should replace it anyway. She quoted €400 incl labor...

Does this sound right to anyone?

Thanks in advance!

Tipsy Mac

It's usually 60k or 5-6 years, if the car doesn't have the mileage the belt can eventually corrode with old age so it's best to replace if it's that age. Depending on the car €400 sounds reasonable, if it snaps the engine will get heavily damaged.

colm_mcm

Belts deteriorate over time as well as mileage.

Time and mileage intervals differ between cars.

What car do you have, make-model-engine

O.A.P

What car is it? Opel Astra

onimpulse

Thanks Guys... OP here..

The car is an Audi A3. I bought it almost exactly 5 years ago & have 35k miles on it. Sounds like I should replace it so...

Am I crazy to take a chance on it for a few months?

Juwwi

Im in the same boat with a 04 peugeot partner 37,000 miles.

was quoted €430 by a main peugeot dealer including water pump with costs €100 alone .

Im gona get it done as soon as the roads improve.

Having had a belt go before its not something l ever want to happen again.

quinnthebin

onimpulse wrote: »

Am I crazy to take a chance on it for a few months?

I took a chance on my last motor. Belt went - ended up trading it in as I didn't deem it worth pumping the money into it. Better safe than sorry - needless to say didn't get much value for it

onimpulse

Thanks guys... Think I'll have to fork out for it so.

O.A.P

onimpulse wrote: »

Thanks Guys... OP here..

The car is an Audi A3. I bought it almost exactly 5 years ago & have 35k miles on it. Sounds like I should replace it so...

Am I crazy to take a chance on it for a few months?

I service after so many miles or every 6 months which ever comes first. The timing belt on the astra is due every 40000 miles which would take about 5-6 years to reach and it wont be done before that, well maybe a 1000 or two early. Thats only what I do sombody else on here might argue that I'm asking for trouble.

colm_mcm

make sure the price includes all tensioners and water pump.

Capt'n Midnight

stop start driving is hard on timing belts too


remember that when you are in lower gears the engine has to turn more to cover the same distance so 1,000 miles in first gear means the timing belt has to work more than 1,000 miles in fifth

JHMEG

onimpulse wrote: »

I was told today by my garage when I rang to book my car in for a service that I'd need to replace the timing belt.

The car is a 2004 reg & it's got 35k miles on it... does this sound right? I thought with the low mileage that I'd get a bit longer but the girl on the phone said that given the age of the car I should replace it anyway. She quoted €400 incl labor...

Does this sound right to anyone?

Thanks in advance!

What does your manual say? Service information on timing belts is given in the owners manual. Interval used be quite long on petrol Audis...

BillieBob

Hi OP,

I'm in the exact same position, I've a 00 Audi A3 with just under 60k mileage. Timing belt now due (due at 60k) and I've been quoted €626 from my garage down the road (in Dublin) to replace it.

OP - How much did you have to pay in the end to get the timing belt done? And where did you go, (if you're in dublin)?

As a general question is there a proper way to drive when the timing belt is getting old? ie. toddling along at 30mph rather than gunning it down the motorway or does it make any difference?

Mc Love

Same with Peugeot they say 60k or 5 years which ever comes first. Had to do mine last year and it only had 35k miles

ilovelamp2000

I've got a'97 A3, I replaced the timing belt not too long ago.

€626 sounds very expensive to be honest. A mate of mine replaced mine for me and the parts cost less than €200.

bazz26

BillieBob wrote: »

Hi OP,

I'm in the exact same position, I've a 00 Audi A3 with just under 60k mileage. Timing belt now due (due at 60k) and I've been quoted €626 from my garage down the road (in Dublin) to replace it.

I hope that is not the original timing belt in your car, just because it only has 60k miles on the clock? It should be changed at set mileage intervals or every 5 years, which ever comes first. The belt is only made of rubber and wears over time as well as use. I would get it changed asap.

onimpulse

BillieBob wrote: »

Hi OP,

I'm in the exact same position, I've a 00 Audi A3 with just under 60k mileage. Timing belt now due (due at 60k) and I've been quoted €626 from my garage down the road (in Dublin) to replace it.

OP - How much did you have to pay in the end to get the timing belt done? And where did you go, (if you're in dublin)?

That does sound expensive. The main dealer near me (also in Dublin) quoted me €400 for the timing belt & the service was extra on top of that. In the end I got a friend of my brothers to do it for €370 for both.

Decided to go this route as the car is out of warranty anyway & no point paying main dealer inflated prices anymore.

honeymonster

Can you pm your friends contact details?

walshb

How long should a belt replacement last? Average mileage and normal car use.

YbFocus

walshb wrote: »

How long should a belt replacement last? Average mileage and normal car use.

Arise thread!

It's totally dependent on the car.
Google your car and it'll tell you.

There will be a mileage and a timeframe, you use whichever you'll reach first

Special Circumstances

What colour is your average use normal car?

walshb

YbFocus wrote: »

Arise thread!

It's totally dependent on the car.
Google your car and it'll tell you.

There will be a mileage and a timeframe, you use whichever you'll reach first

183000 miles on A3 Audi, petrol. No belt replaced. Getting it replaced tomorrow.

i57dwun4yb1pt8

^^^ balls of steel ^^ i tip my hat to you sir