advice please for a novice - cam belts etc...

[kev85]

Hi,

im new to the forum and have just recently got my seat leon 1.9 TDI SE 110. I really like and its a real step up from every other car Ive ever owned (two different MK3 VW Golfs ).

Anyway, the car is a 2004 53, and done 52K miles. I didnt realise the cam belt needs changing by 4 years? would I definately need it changing?

I got a little worried as I started getting a slight screech sound in 2nd gear (gradually fades away) when going slow on humps and then noticed another low level sound near the fan belt area (actually its called the Aux belt isnt it?) when started a cold engine, this fades away after 5- 10 mins.

I spoke to a VW/Skoda/Seat specialst garage (in Nottingham) over the phone (as been busy at work) whom said it could be a number of things including the aux belt, tensioners or cam belt... he said he could change the cam, aux, waterpump, tensioner (by the way all this is limited understanding to me) for around £450.

I was thinking of getting a quote or having it checked by an independent....

any suggestions what I should do? Is it definately required to get the cam belt done within 4 years?

Many thanks in advance for your advice.

kev

 

[kev85]

advice for a novice - cam belts etc.

Hi,

im new to the forum and have just recently got my seat leon 1.9 TDI SE 110. I really like and its a real step up from every other car Ive ever owned (two different MK3 VW Golfs ).

Anyway, the car is a 2004 53, and done 52K miles. I didnt realise the cam belt needs changing by 4 years? would I definately need it changing?

I got a little worried as I started getting a slight screech sound in 2nd gear (gradually fades away) when going slow on humps and then noticed another low level sound near the fan belt area (actually its called the Aux belt isnt it?) when started a cold engine, this fades away after 5- 10 mins.

I spoke to a VW/Skoda/Seat specialst garage (in Nottingham) over the phone (as been busy at work) whom said it could be a number of things including the aux belt, tensioners or cam belt... he said he could change the cam, aux, waterpump, tensioner (by the way all this is limited understanding to me) for around £450.

I was thinking of getting a quote or having it checked by an independent....

any suggestions what I should do? Is it definately required to get the cam belt done within 4 years?

Many thanks in advance for your advice.

kev

 

[kev85]

sorry think i posted this in the wrong part of the forum, this one can be removed.

thanks

 

[dholdi]

Yes the service interval for the cambelt is 60k or 4 years - whichever is the sooner. I dont think that would cause the noise you mention as its a toothed belt that shouldnt slip, tho I suppose it could be one of the tensioner pulley bearings etc. Mines booked in this Friday at an independent for cambelt and waterpump and thats £232.
I would get it sorted as soon as - if it fails it will be major moolah.

 

[kev85]

Thanks mate Im really busy for the next few weeks not likely to get the cam belt booked in the very near future.

I should hopefully be ok for a few months right?

Also if the cam belt is going to start acting up will I know? will it start making different noise or some type of warning?

Thanks again,

kev

 

[dholdi]

Probably not what you want to here but I would be iresponsible by telling you otherwise

Thanks mate I should hopefully be ok for a few months right?

Possibly, but the risk is if it goes then the repair bill will be in th £1000's.

Also if the cam belt is going to start acting up will I know? will it start making different noise or some type of warning?:

Nope, if it goes there will be no warning, you will grind to a halt with that sick feeling that you know you should have has it done.

Sorry for the doom & gloom senario but you did ask and I'm sure most would give the same advice. If its the cost thats making you wait have a look for a good independent. Imho with the age of the car , a Seat service history isnt that important. My outlook on this is in 6 years time my Seat will be nearly 10, I plan to keep it till then and service it myself ( apart from cambelts ). Would it be worth much more with a Seat service history at that age ? I dont think so and I will have saved myself a bomb.

 

[v0id]

hi mate,

I had the same problem with the screeching for the first 5-10 minutes. found out it was the fan belt tensioner, just had it replaced and problem is gone now. cost about 70 quid from dealers though

as for screech in 2nd gear, gearbox oil maybe? cambelt would usually screech in any gear really..

cheers

 

[matt110tdi]

i paid £230 for new cambelt kit, waterpump with metal impeller and a new fanbelt all fitted by a local mechanic. Don't pay main dealer prices.

 

[mrwookie]

Yes the service interval for the cambelt is 60k or 4 years - whichever is the sooner.

From the words of Seat customer care themselves service interval for cambelt is 120k -o yep 120k!!!) or 4 years which ever is soonest!!! Think thats a no brainer which will come 1st!

Apperantly says so it the handbook. Not that i've ever read it......

 

[Andrewcupra TDI]

prob second belt , or they refering to kilometers

i just changed mine at 60k , didnt wana run the risk, even my old car a fiesta zetec, ford say at 100k i done it at 75k ,


when its done does it have to be vag com'd to re adjust the timing ???

cheers

 

[mrwookie]

prob second belt , or they refering to kilometers

i just changed mine at 60k , didnt wana run the risk, even my old car a fiesta zetec, ford say at 100k i done it at 75k ,


when its done does it have to be vag com'd to re adjust the timing ???

cheers

Yep Seat said deff 120k miles or 4years which ever is soonest for the cambelt was so shocked so double checked myself.
Don't get me wrong I wouldn't and haven't left mine this long, did mine @ 58k, but just to highlight Seat's offical line as per their Customer Care.

 

[Tartan58]

As others have said - I'd get it done as soon as you can for piece of mind.

My when I got my 110tdi it was on 55k miles and 7 years old, no evidence that it had bee replaced by previous owner so I got it done to be safe.

 

[JamesL]

mine ended up getting done at like 25,000 miles... it was 6/7 years old.

 

[Andrewcupra TDI]

when its done does it have to be vag com'd to re adjust the timing ???

cheers

any ideas on this bit tho

 

[landie9]

After a cam belt change you do need to set the pump timing mechanically using vag com to show you what the timing is via a graph. 1mm at the pump makes a big differance to the pump timing. Using tipex/timing tools will only ensure your car will start but the timing needs to be exact using vag com tdi timing checker.