Unsure about timing belt and if needs to be done

henryforde80

Have a 2012 Skoda 1.6 tdi elegance from a main Sokda dealer. Got the car at 125k km's, currently at 155k km's.

Does the timing Belt need to be done. I got nothing from the dealer saying that it was ever done. If I bring to my local mechanic can he tell if needs to be changed.

rex-x

henryforde80 wrote: »

Have a 2012 Skoda 1.6 tdi elegance from a main Sokda dealer. Got the car at 125k km's, currently at 155k km's.

Does the timing Belt need to be done. I got nothing from the dealer saying that it was ever done. If I bring to my local mechanic can he tell if needs to be changed.

Due at 200,000km but given the 6 year age of the belt it might be wise to get it done in the near future

dr.fuzzenstein

Go with the Ronin principle.
As soon as there's doubt, there is no doubt.

denismc

100k miles or every 4 years for the old 1.9TDI , the newer 1.6 engines maybe different although best not leave it to 100k
If your car has a service record it should be recorded in it, if not ring the main dealer, they will be able to tell you
An independent garage should be able to do it for about 400 euro, main dealer will be a lot more.

uck51js9zml2yt

Got my octavia done last week. 60k since it was done last.dont forget the water pump.

Toyotafanboi

The official line on those is 210k kms with no age limit on the belt. The age limit was dropped from 2011 onwards where it used to be 210k kms/ 5 years.

dr.fuzzenstein

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

The official line on those is 210k kms with no age limit on the belt. The age limit was dropped from 2011 onwards where it used to be 210k kms/ 5 years.

I'd be sceptical of the age limit. I'd say it follows the principle that cars are disposable items that get scrapped once they hit 10 years.

Tropheus

As above. I would get it done sooner rather than later if there is any doubt. I wouldn't feel comfortable with any timing belt that was 6 years old.

dr.fuzzenstein

Tropheus wrote: »

As above. I would get it done sooner rather than later if there is any doubt. I wouldn't feel comfortable with any timing belt that was 6 years old.

The only reason the age limit was removed is "ah sure, the car was 8 years old, sure she was ready for the scrap anyway. Here, we got some great finance options on this baby!"

DaveyDave

What kind of issues would there be if you waited until 210k, rather than doing it at X years out of precaution?

FishOnABike

DaveyDave wrote: »

What kind of issues would there be if you waited until 210k, rather than doing it at X years out of precaution?

That depends on whether the timing belt fails or not. Belts (and tensioners) age as well as wear. If the belt fails you could be talking about a total engine rebuild or replacement - essentially making an older car a write off.

I wouldn't leave it unless I considered the car disposable compared to the cost of getting the belt done when due (or earlier for a car that has a reputation of timing belt failures before its scheduled service).

denismc

DaveyDave wrote: »

What kind of issues would there be if you waited until 210k, rather than doing it at X years out of precaution?

Timing belts are made of rubber and rubber degrades over time so even if you are doing no driving the belt could potentially weaken over time, well thats the theory least!

Toyotafanboi

DaveyDave wrote: »

What kind of issues would there be if you waited until 210k, rather than doing it at X years out of precaution?

In this case, nothing really. Those engines aren't even remotely prone to breaking belts even when considerably overdue.

Sure the belt degrades over time but I can't see the manufacturer recommending an interval that the belt is likely to break before reaching. Think of the negative press around that.

porsche boy

denismc wrote:

Timing belts are made of rubber and rubber degrades over time so even if you are doing no driving the belt could potentially weaken over time, well thats the theory least!

Rubber degrades more rapidly if oil is leaking onto it which is a distinct possibility on older cars

Jimbob1977

Our timing belt snapped and destroyed large parts of the engine. I think it was whacking the cylinder heads.

Dealer wanted €5,000 for a new engine.

Mechanic sourced a reconditioned second hand engine for €1,500.

Moral of the story.... a snapped timing belt can wreak havoc