I am in a bit of a dilema at the mo.

Should I change my cambelt before the recommended interval? And what happens if it goes? New engine?

This may sound like a daft question (who in their right mind changes a cambelt early) but its not that ridiculous.

My car has a stupidly long warranty (3 years, unlimited mileage ) and a ridiculously long cambelt change interval - 120,000 miles

I've done 60k in a year (54,000 road miles, 6,000 track miles ) and I reckon its safer to change it.

Any opinions?

 

take the cover off and check the condition is the best way (with track use you can get pieces of debris lodged inside cover!!)
normal recomendation is every season if its a competition car (or earlier if you find damage, obviously)
the interval is the makers "recommended" for NORMAL use - so nothing to stop you changing it early
alyn - as performance

 

120,000 miles??!? What's it made out of? Carbon fibre?

Sounds way too long to me - I'd get it changed now and pronto.

Cheers
Kav

 

It's most likely a new engine if it breaks

I would get it changed very shortly, as you have some track miles there. I wouldn't think the warranty will be affected as long as you use a dealer. However, check this out...

I will be getting the cambelt on my Impreza changed shortly, well before the interval due to similar concerns.

 

change it! we change them on rallycars every 10 events but on road cars every 3o k !!! trust me better safe than sorry & use a genuine scooby one or gates. gates make the best belts in the world!

 

LMAO... I'd use a genuine Skoda one... may fit better

David

 

Cheers guys, getting it done tomorrow. Thought it sounded awfully long time for a cambelt to be on. I usually reckon 45k max but went for 60k, don't really fancy a new engine, even if it is under warranty.

Using genuine Skoda parts, oh so expensive, 60k service + cambelt = £275!!!!