Timing belt - kms vs years

**Mc_Gusto** · 12-03-2019, 07:21 AM

Hi all

I am looking at a very low km Passat Alltrack (55,000) that is a 2013 model
Based on the VW swrvice interval guide it is due a timing belt change next year, 2020.
What are peoples thoughts on this as it will be literally at half the kms?
Is it a case of just do it and move on or should I be looking to check for wear etc?

**Hillbilly** · 12-03-2019, 08:29 AM

Have an even lower K one had timing belt and water pump done at 38818 km BUT was at the 7 year point which is what VW say is the time to do it.
Cost Just over $1100 for that part of the job plus the 105,000k service = $1523

Dont do the belt and NOT DO THE PUMP as will cost an extra $400+ labour again as they have to undo all the work when the belt was done

Cost to do pump when doing belt was $348 parts and $70 labour. Belt and tensioner is $343 and $350 labour.

Yes you should do it next year on the stipulated time schedule

**syncro** · 12-03-2019, 04:20 PM

Have a good look at the belt. Are the teeth loose? Is there oil on the belt? Does it look like new?

**Hillbilly** · 12-03-2019, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by syncro

Have a good look at the belt. Are the teeth loose? Is there oil on the belt? Does it look like new?

VW recommend 105,000km OR 7 YEARS Just like your shoes things deteriorate over time. It isnt only distance that kills them.

Tyres are the same Our cars are nearly 8 years old now and one has only done 22000k but is overdue for new shoes as rubber deteriorates and ozone kills tyres as well Wifes one will get 2 new ones in 6 months and the other two 6 months after that

Replacing the belt and pump is a bloody sight cheaper than the engine if the worst happens

I have copied the EXACT cost from my invoice.

**Transporter** · 12-03-2019, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by syncro

Have a good look at the belt. Are the teeth loose? Is there oil on the belt? Does it look like new?

Yeah, all good tips, I can only add to it, flip it up and check the teeth from the gears side.
Just kidding of course, you can’t really reliably check the condition of the timing belt and tensioner without removing them. The belt contains rubber compounds as well and therefore will perish with the time, 7 years is a good time to change it.

**Hillbilly** · 12-03-2019, 06:42 PM

Originally Posted by Transporter

Yeah, all good tips, I can only add to it, flip it up and check the teeth from the gears side.
Just kidding of course, you can’t really reliably check the condition of the timing belt and tensioner without removing them. The belt contains rubber compounds as well and therefore will perish with the time, 7 years is a good time to change it.

But there is always someone that knows better than the manufacturer isnt there.

I didnt really want to do mine but the thought of the consequences of not doing it in the hot queensland climate was too much to think about. From whats been said on here a water pump is at the end of its life after that time as well

**Gazdok** · 17-04-2019, 10:13 PM

Hi,
I am in the UK. VW UK recommend a 5 year interval for the timing belt rather than the discussed 7 years in this thread. Does anyone know why it differs in Australia?

**Hillbilly** · 17-04-2019, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by Gazdok

Hi,
I am in the UK. VW UK recommend a 5 year interval for the timing belt rather than the discussed 7 years in this thread. Does anyone know why it differs in Australia?

What do they recommend for mileage in the UK and No we just follow the book and cars do big K's here because of the large distances between places.