Cambelt / timing belt info: where to find

WorkerBee

I have a 2013 Seat Mii (63 reg) and the service garage states the cambelt is due for a change. It has 35k miles on the clock but I was under the impression that it was a lifetime belt. I cannot lay hands in the information. I have downloaded the owner manual ( cannot find paper copy) but it says absolutely nothing either way. Does anyone know where I can find the information I am looking for?

I have asked for quotes anyway but I suspect the garage is trying to pull one on me.

DUTR

What about the water pump pulley belt?

WorkerBee

I'm sorry DUTR I don't understand the question. I'm not a mechanic myself but my ex was handy and did the previous services.

DUTR

WorkerBee wrote: »

I'm sorry DUTR I don't understand the question. I'm not a mechanic myself but my ex was handy and did the previous services.

If the bearings fail suddenly on the water pump it can cause major damage too, often with timing belt damage it was caused by the water pump bearings ceasing.

Jackmydad

Are you sure there's nothing in the service schedule part of the manual?

A quick search online finds conflicting information (as always)

Personally I'd email Seat and ask.

If it does go it's you who will be paying for the repairs.

WorkerBee

Thank you for the replies so far. I have emailed SEAT for information, but won't hear back for a while.
I refused the extra work and asked for paper quotes and they went very cold on the phone and said they would ring me when the car was ready. I'm now worried the garage won't give me my car back today as I have paid for the service already but have said no to the additional work.

seatbeltnoob

ignore previous advice.


https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/431238-cambelt-query/


Read up on other confused people. i beleive your mii is same as vw up & skoda citigo.

WorkerBee

I've looked online and vw up forums have suggested a lifetime belt which is the same car more or less. Online research also suggests spark plugs should still be good (replaced 2 years and 15k miles ago) and the wheel alignment would have been picked up on the MOTs if it was causing abnormal wheel wear. Both of these were flagged by garage as needed to be done. I can't remember the exact quote but it was over 200 and I don't think that includes the cambelt.

Ah stuff like this makes me so anxious.

EdGasketTheSecond

Is a " lifetime belt" until it breaks? Their idea of a 'lifetime' and yours might be two different things!

hareng

The age old debate belt or chain, very few producers stated they were for life one being GM proved wrong.
Just checked 40k is the service interval for the cam belt change on those VAG engines. Normally cam belt/chain changes are recommended by 60k to 80k difference here theyre much larger engines.
A fundamental point not mentioned is rubber and plastic deteriorates whether used or not. You could have a 10k engine been sat for 5 years where tensioners have gone brittle or belt cracked.


Point is for £350 ish is it worth the risk of scrapping the car, make sure have the water pump replaced as well.

WobblyDog

Even if you find the paper manual issued with the vehicle, the maintenance schedule in it might since have been revised by the manufacturer. My Fiesta's manual says the timing belt should be replaced every 10 years, but Ford have since reduced the recommended interval to 8 years.