1st Ibiza - advice requested

[whitesd]

Hi all,
I have picked up my 1st Seat Ibiza, a 2003 TDi Sport.
All OK so far however I have one question.

It is low mileage (12K) and has been serviced regularly every year (approx 2500 miles per year). Appears to have had combination of basic and intermediate service and the last included the 30K checks.

However it has not had the Cam Belts done. Now I know it is 60K and I think 4 or 6 years.

Question is - should I get it done every though the mileage is very low or should it be OK until I get to about 40K (in about 2 years)?

Your views much appreciated.

Simon

 

[george130]

I would say the general consensus is to get it done after 4 years... so its a 1-2 years late in your case!
This is because the belt suffers deterioration whilst the car is sitting as well as when your on the move, as its only made of rubber.
The service book should state that the cambelt, tensioners (and water pump if you want to play safe) should be replaced after 60k or 4 years or whichever comes first

 

[Nath.]

The belt isn't just rubber, it is reinforced with like strong string laminated through the belt.

Best to be safe rather than sorry IMO and get it done some time soon, maybe wait till 6 years if you feel confident after getting it inspected or inspecting it yourself.

 

[whitesd]

given that the last service included the 30K checks, would it have been checked then?

Either way I will get it checked the next service, but that is about 6 months away.

Simon

 

[Nath.]

given that the last service included the 30K checks, would it have been checked then?

I doubt it, they do what they can get away with doing.

Check it yourself, remove the clip on top cover to the cam belt, stick it in second gear and push the car back wards whilst having a good look at the belt as it goes round. You should be looking for cracks in the belt, loose or missing teeth and oil contamination. If you don't see any of that I would say it's save to leave it till 6 years.

BTW, even if you pay for a cam belt inspection they will not give you anything in righting to say it's fine. This is because they will not want to commit themselves.

 

[gazman]

Just to add to the confusion of cambelts

Spoke to my dealer about the cambelt change on mine (53 plate 1.9TDi Sport)

They said they ran my chassis number through the system and mine came up 5 years or 60k

 

[Aimez]

I just got mine done and they said you cannot inspect a cambelt and tell whether it has been changed unless it really is ancient they look the same after a day if they are a day old or 5 years old!