I've done a search on this question and I don't think it has been asked before.

My 1997 B5 Tdi had the belt replaced by the main dealer in 2005, and since then I have driven it around 30,000 miles. Audi recommends change every 60,000 miles but now the belt is over 4 years old. What takes priority? Age of belt or distance the belt has covered?

The follow on question would be what belt-manufacturer would you recommend for replacement. I can get an genuine Audi belt kit from dealers in the UK but is there a stronger after-market kit out there? For instance 'Dayco', 'Gates'?

Thanks
Grape.

 

no idea about the TDI. if its similar to the normal gas/petrol version 1.8t then read on. Belts do fail over a long time but, 4 years is not a long time. The main reason the TB job needs to be done is to replace the TB tensioner. The tensioner fails(poor design, new design is better) causing the belt to jump and then break. I say your safe for a while longer, but like I said I have no idea about the TDI engine

 

Thanks for the insight. An interesting site showing some of the recommended intervals.

http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?br...3487&go=TBHome

Cheers