2003 Passat Cambelt

[Vicked]

Hi,

I have an 03 Passat Wagon. Just had it serviced and mechanic said he couldn't see any stickers regarding if the cambelt had been changed.

He said it's due at 100,00k's or every 6 years. My car has done 76,000km's.

Is there any way to tell if the cambelt has been changed, and should I have it done soon or wait until closer to 100,000k's?

Thanks.

[slowmo]

do you have the service history booklet?

when my cambelt was done, no sticker was added, but they ticked a page in the service booklet about the toothed belt service.

[goldb51.8T]

i have a 99 with 71,000 kms on it and have been all over passat world forum, US based. heaps of passat info there and they seem to be good for 120,000 kms between changes, its very common. however im not going to risk that and am planning for 90,000 kms

[slowmo]

it's probably been covered in these forums plenty of times, the general advise from VAG these days is 5 years or 100k, whchever occurs first.

i just read my aftermarket warranty and it states (paraphrasing) that damage caused by the cambelt breaking will not be covered if not serviced based on manufacturer's recommendations.

[vag_nutter]

What engine is in it? Cambelts should be done every 5yrs or 60k, which ever comes first

[Vicked]

It's a 2.8 litre. It's an import, I'm going to ring the yard I bought it off on the (very remote!) chance they have any idea if it's been done.

[Vicked]

Does anyone know if it can be visually determined whether the cambelt has been replaced? I spoke to the dealer, and in an obvious attempt to fob me off as easily as possible he claims you can "pull the cover back" and check visually quite easily...

[slowmo]

i tried this approach, and was told that there is no way to verify the age of the belt visually.

is it possible your passat is chain driven?

[Simon MkII]

Does anyone know if it can be visually determined whether the cambelt has been replaced? I spoke to the dealer, and in an obvious attempt to fob me off as easily as possible he claims you can "pull the cover back" and check visually quite easily...

He wasn't fobbing you off, it just isn't going to tell you crap and it's not worth them wasting their time to look for you.

[RS ZWEI]

I dont know the answer to this,  but do you 2.8 V6 Passats have cam belts or cam chains? If its the same engine in a Golf it will be a chain wont it?

[vag_nutter]

Or is it the 30v v6 like the a4? If it is it has a belt

[rambo_005]

It's the wide angle Audi V6 so will have a cambelt

[b0000st]

Unless there is something glaringly obvious its very hard to judge the condition of a cambelt visually. The other issue is that the tensioners can also fail which again a visual check will not pick up, that is if you can even see it.

From 3B on the Passats had the Audi V6 fitted.

Matt

[vag_nutter]

If the cambelt brakes you are guaranteed to bend valves and possibly smash them and make a nice mess of it

[rambo_005]

From 3B on the Passats had the Audi V6 fitted.

The B5 Passat was the only version to have the Audi V6... all others were/are VR6 powered.

[goldb51.8T]

well being an 03 its a b5 or b5.5 then, id think its probably never been done and therefore would be worth doing as a failure would be catastrophic. and now im thinking even though mine has only done 70.000 its also ten years old and a jap import. whats the bet mine has never been done? im on borrowed time me thinks

[Vicked]

Yes, it looks like I'll need to get it done.

I'd always operated on the assumption that a cambelt is done at 100,000km's but this is my first VW so perhaps it is different.

Where is a good place to have it done in Auckland and what's the likely cost?

I'm going on a holiday this week, driving to Rotorua and the Coromandel so hopefully it will be alright 

[Trofeo]

qualitat in penrose did mine for around $1000. Dealerships quoted me $1800 for the same thing.

[goldb51.8T]

qualitat in penrose did mine for around $1000. Dealerships quoted me $1800 for the same thing.

hey was that with the water pump as well? and did you get tensioners at the same time? looking to get mine done soon too now

[BB]

It is actually very easy to pull off a cam cover and visually check the belt. And whilst you cant be 100% sure you certainly can tell if a belt looks covered in oil and fraying about to snap or it may look nice and new with all its writing still visable.

I remove a cover and check all cambelts on cars I service if its easy or even if its hard but I am worried.
So yes you can see if a disaster is imminent or it looks like it wont break in the next month or so.
I can almost guarantee your one will not be done at that mileage in this country.