MB Cambelt CHange Intervals

AdrianH · 26-01-21, 03:32 PM

I think I know the answer to this but anyway... I just had the MB back from its MoT (pass no advisories

) and a fluid service. The garage (Four Circles, in Bristol) put on a note saying "Cambelt last changed in 2010". No worries, I thought, Dialynx replaced it just a couple of years ago. Turns out that was actuallyfive years ago. In that time I've done about 6000 miles. I'm very well aware of the need not to take chances with cambelts. What is the prevailing wisdom nowadays for cambelts still five years, or forty thousand miles, which ever comes first?

BackintheFold · 26-01-21, 03:57 PM

Id take a look at the belt-does it look old/cracked?
Best to change it, but needs weighing up against cost of doing that.

AdrianH · 26-01-21, 04:40 PM

Looks fine but have heard so many cam-belt related horror stories over the years. Probably safest to get it done.

andya · 26-01-21, 05:14 PM

My kv quattro doesn't do too many miles these days, but I aim for every 5 years for a belt change. Mine is due this year - I do mine myself but am waiting till the spring when its a bit warmer! Got all the bits to tackle it including a newly painted black top cam cover.

mikes2 · 27-01-21, 09:39 AM

You can probably stretch to 6 years with the low miles but I wouldn't chance it much longer.

Such irregular use puts just as much strain on the belt.

I'm currently on a 5 years / 50k miles cycle on my 20v.

droopsnoot · 28-01-21, 11:15 AM

I rebuilt my KV engine when the car first went off the road, and I am thinking that, as that was in 2004/5, I probably need to do a cam belt even though it's done no miles since then as I haven't finished the bodywork repairs.

At the time, the local Audi dealer loaned me the crank lock and torque multiplier tool, but frustratingly they've got rid of them now. I wish I'd taken some measurements, but I think last time I mentioned it a local forum member did get in touch to say that he'd got them and might be happy for me to borrow them.

At the time, I wondered if it would be safe to cut around half an inch off the part of the oil pump casting that forms the bottom of the cam belt cover. I didn't do it, but I think I might as it will make changes so much easier in the future - as there are loads of bolts (IIRC) holding the pump in place, it can't make much difference to the rigidity of it. I should also have modified the back cover so that it didn't block access to the water pump, while it was all in pieces. Oh well, a job for when I haven't got any rust left.

26-01-21, 03:57 PM	#2
BackintheFold Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Near an MB ur Quattro Posts: 1,190	Id take a look at the belt-does it look old/cracked? Best to change it, but needs weighing up against cost of doing that. __________________ 2006 A3 (daily drive) 1987 MB ur

26-01-21, 05:14 PM	#4
andya Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Hampshire Posts: 1,149	My kv quattro doesn't do too many miles these days, but I aim for every 5 years for a belt change. Mine is due this year - I do mine myself but am waiting till the spring when its a bit warmer! Got all the bits to tackle it including a newly painted black top cam cover. __________________ 1985 Coupe Quattro 1986 Coupe 1.8 weber carb 1987 Coupe 2.2 GT

27-01-21, 09:39 AM	#5
mikes2 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Polmont Posts: 2,617	You can probably stretch to 6 years with the low miles but I wouldn't chance it much longer. Such irregular use puts just as much strain on the belt. I'm currently on a 5 years / 50k miles cycle on my 20v. __________________ 1991 90 quattro 20v sport 1991 90 quattro

26-01-21, 04:40 PM	#3
AdrianH Grown up member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 218	Looks fine but have heard so many cam-belt related horror stories over the years. Probably safest to get it done.

28-01-21, 11:15 AM	#6
droopsnoot Grown up member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: South Cheshire Posts: 212	I rebuilt my KV engine when the car first went off the road, and I am thinking that, as that was in 2004/5, I probably need to do a cam belt even though it's done no miles since then as I haven't finished the bodywork repairs. At the time, the local Audi dealer loaned me the crank lock and torque multiplier tool, but frustratingly they've got rid of them now. I wish I'd taken some measurements, but I think last time I mentioned it a local forum member did get in touch to say that he'd got them and might be happy for me to borrow them. At the time, I wondered if it would be safe to cut around half an inch off the part of the oil pump casting that forms the bottom of the cam belt cover. I didn't do it, but I think I might as it will make changes so much easier in the future - as there are loads of bolts (IIRC) holding the pump in place, it can't make much difference to the rigidity of it. I should also have modified the back cover so that it didn't block access to the water pump, while it was all in pieces. Oh well, a job for when I haven't got any rust left.