Timing belt brand recommendations

A

albertsteptow

Member
Hi a

Audi A2 2000 1.4 TDI 8Z0 5 yea​

Any recommendations for 2003 diesel timing belt kit which brand ,mine has done 170,000 last changed 11.000 miles ago in 2019 it was a Gates but only has 2 year guarantee - thank you

I have a local garage that i use - great mechanic but very reserved in recommending
 
Ina, SKF, dayco are the ones I have used. I would fit a gates belt kit but never a gates waterpump they belong in the bin!
 
I would save my money if it was a full timing belt kit with tensioners last time as having only done 11,000 miles since, it will still be like new
 
In fairness I strongly believe the belts last 10 years or 100k without issues so long as all pulleys, water pump and in your case hydraulic damper are in good order.
It's whatever helps the owner sleep at night ultimately thou!
 
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I’m not saying it’s a good idea, but my tdi was 20k and 2 years past it’s due time and I was worried about it and taking the top cover off to have a look monthly. When I got yo do it it was fine with no great signs of age and still had the writing on the outside
 
albertsteptow said:
Hi a

Audi A2 2000 1.4 TDI 8Z0 5 yea​

Any recommendations for 2003 diesel timing belt kit which brand ,mine has done 170,000 last changed 11.000 miles ago in 2019 it was a Gates but only has 2 year guarantee - thank you

I have a local garage that i use - great mechanic but very reserved in recommending
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I went with continental contitech for my FSI and TDI, I chose that after seeing other’s recommendations on here somewhere
 
Continental for sure and they are the OE supplier. Did mine last week and even well within interval I've had the car a year and it's a peace of mind thing knowing it's done properly for years.
 
Every car manufacturer build in a safety factor when deciding on cam belt change intervals. They are life critical components in the engine but the end of the day if you play Russian roulette then be prepared for the bullet to be in the chamber. Not a case of if more when. Replace all components i.e belt, tensioner and water pump at the same time regardless how good they look.
 
I believe VAG halfed the belt interval to make more money, personally I have never heard of an original belt failing unless around twice the recommended age and mileage although leaking and impeller failures on water pumps were very common but did not lead to belt failure
 
Howey said:
I believe VAG halfed the belt interval to make more money, personally I have never heard of an original belt failing unless around twice the recommended age and mileage although leaking and impeller failures on water pumps were very common but did not lead to belt failure
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Agreed, originally there was no mention of it needing replacement by age, just mileage @ 60k but I do also get the peace of mind element in changing it, as long as it's done correctly obviously and as mentioned by others above that everything is changed not just the belt
 
Howey said:
I believe VAG halfed the belt interval to make more money, personally I have never heard of an original belt failing unless around twice the recommended age and mileage although leaking and impeller failures on water pumps were very common but did not lead to belt failure
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Yep there are pictures somewhere on this site with apparently original 20 years old cambelt with completely rusty tensioner and pulley with belt in pieces full of strings falling apart but yet according to the owner engine was running "just fine" . I know It's hard to believe it's original belt and bits but trust me when you see the photos you will believe as I did. Someone posted the photos about 4,5 weeks ago I can't remeber the topic but it was about cambelts.
 
Its worth to mention that as we replace the belt, tensioner and some rollers, usually all pulleys remain "old" - and that is why timing belt interval for 2nd, 3rd and subsequent timing belt is shorter. While working on my 1.9 TDI ALH (in old A3) I remember that it was specified that pulleys should be replaced after 3 timing belts sets.
 
albertsteptow said:
Hi a

Audi A2 2000 1.4 TDI 8Z0 5 yea​

Any recommendations for 2003 diesel timing belt kit which brand ,mine has done 170,000 last changed 11.000 miles ago in 2019 it was a Gates but only has 2 year guarantee - thank you

I have a local garage that i use - great mechanic but very reserved in recommending
Click to expand...
thanks for all the help and options ideas thought etc
 
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