Cam Belt (Audi Q5)

[HustleRussell]

ruprechtmonkeyboy said:

Twig62 said:

HustleRussell said:

MDMA . said:

On the flip side, MrsMDMA says it's all a con by the manufacturers. Her 2005 VW Golf (bought brand new) is still on the original belt. 15 years old now, no problems. Inspected every year by the same garage that services/MOT's it and no wear to it.

What sort of mechanic will sign off a cam belt for a 15th year based on a visual inspection?

Pretty much every car we see which comes in with a broken cam belt shows no sign of wear or deterioration on the belt. Personally unless the car is an absolute shed I wouldn't leave a cam belt any longer than 5 years or 50,000 miles. Each to their own though of course !

This. Anyone who says they can tell the condition of a belt by 'looking at it' is not to be listened to!

MDMA's mechanic is also signing the engine oil off year-on-year, on the basis that it still appears to be black and oily.

[Fairynuff]

Thanks for the helpful posts

[carinaman]

How long are you going to keep it?

It'll be another 5 years until the next one is due so divide the cost by 10 to give you the cost per year over ten years?

If you're looking to sell it sometime in the future will not having the cambelt done impact on the price and ease of selling?

[njw1]

MDMA . said:

On the flip side, MrsMDMA says it's all a con by the manufacturers. Her 2005 VW Golf (bought brand new) is still on the original belt. 15 years old now, no problems. Inspected every year by the same garage that services/MOT's it and no wear to it.

Oh no, you've jinxed it now....

[bluezedd]

ruprechtmonkeyboy said:

This. Anyone who says they can tell the condition of a belt by 'looking at it' is not to be listened to!

Pretty much anyone can tell the difference side by side between the belt that gave way on my parts 9-3 (cambelt snapped on a friend), and the belt currently on my 9-3. You'd have to be blind not to see the difference.

Completely agree it's not the case for every belt though, and things like waterpump failure are common taking the belt out with it.

You can quite obviously spot the material is aged, some cracking etc.

If he had checked the belt then I wouldn't have had a parts car.

Edited by bluezedd on Sunday 29th March 17:26

[MDMA .]

njw1 said:

Oh no, you've jinxed it now....

Was thinking that when I typed it. But it's her car, she can do what she wants. I have mine done by the book for peace of mind. But try telling that to a women.