Fri 1 Nov 2002 20:38 passat cam belt - keemar

how much does it cost to change the cam belt on 1999 18se & how often should it be done? Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 1 Nov 2002 23:26 passat cam belt - madf

If it's an Audi garage and they change the timing wheels they charge about £250 for an A4 TDI..so in same ballpark I would think? You could save by not changing the wheels (and lose £000s when the wheels seize and the belt snaps). I just avoided the latter by a few weeks! madf Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Sat 2 Nov 2002 01:09 passat cam belt - DavidHM

Hard to say, depending on where you are in the country. An independent garage should do it for about £30 for the part (and more for the tensioners) and £40 per hour for the labour. Depending on how difficult the car is to get to, it'll be 1-3 hours' work. Therefore, £100-£200 is reasonable for an independent, but don't be too shocked if you have to pay a lot more than this for the quality of a VW backed garage. Either way, get it done, because with cam belts, it's never if, always when they'll go. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Sat 2 Nov 2002 09:47 passat cam belt - keemar

my car has done 80.000 miles & vw say cam belt change at 120.000 miles for this engine do you think this is ok to leave it this long any views on this Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Sat 2 Nov 2002 09:57 passat cam belt - Honestjohn

Belts coming off VAG 1.8 20v engines at 70k - 80k miles has become a common problem. See all relevant entries in car by car breakdown. If the belt comes off, with 5 valves dancing around in each combustion chamber, the engine is usually trashed, Best not to even try to repair it as the bores are likely to be badly scored. HJ Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Sat 2 Nov 2002 22:57 passat cam belt - keemar

i think i will get this done but the car has done alot of motorway milage does this make any difference Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Sun 3 Nov 2002 17:12 passat cam belt - JonL

I recently had mine changed at a main dealers - £350. Expensive but I wouldn't trust just anyone do it as it is a tricky job and needs to be spot on. It is recommended that it is changed every 60,000. Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Tue 5 Nov 2002 19:56 passat cam belt - Andrew Moorey (Tune-Up)

Not difficult just time consuming. At that mileage it is on borrowed time... DO IT!!! Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Tue 5 Nov 2002 23:10 passat cam belt - cabsmanuk

I had my cambelt done at a none franchise garage just to save about £250. Result, engine trashed, bill for £3000. Reply | Report as offensive | Link