DBSurrey

I never realised how much controversy my my original post would cause !😟

Staff training, cost of equipment & risk of an expensive mistake maybe ? Or it might be that the statement means the equipment takes away the need for a lengthy iterative process.

How about the quote by Varoom on 8th Feb taken from the service manual edition 04.2022 ?

Many thanks for this. I think it goes a long way to explain the reasons for the higher cost of changing the timing belt (equipment, labour and knowhow). If only the manufacturer and dealerships would get their stories aligned regarding the interval (mileage and time) for changing the belt. On the one hand we read it's 5 years or 50k miles and the other there is no time or mileage limit (i.e. "lifetime belt").

What do you expect from a company that can't even publish the recommended grade of engine oil in the owner's manual ?

Many thanks, once again.

Many thanks. So no service interval then. I assume that means no filter or oil to change. Is there an oil level indicator or dipstick on the gearbox do you know ?

I have the same but I’m still none the wiser from the table which gearbox I have, except it’s 7 speed.

When was this ? I can believe it. However, they’ve probably learned how to reduce the “quality giveaway” on cam belts.

I was also mis-quoted a figure of £580 until I pointed out my car had ACT. They then admitted their mistake and amended their quote to £1300.

I am making enquiries via a family member living in Germany what Skoda Germany actually recommends. Will post any further info when I receive it. Please post any info Which may discover. A thought did occur to me - does Skoda UK recommend a time limit because we only have access to inferior belts ? Cynical I know !

Mazdas have timing chains. I should have stayed with them but they didn’t offer a vehicle with the same spec as my Karoq.

Decision would be a lot easier if there was no interference between the valves and pistons if the cam belt failed. I wonder why the engines are designed for interference ?

Just probed a bit more with the main dealer who quoted me £580 for the cambelt. After I explained I had ACT they replied admitting their mistake and said the price should have been £1300 !!! These cam belt training courses must be expensive to get qualified (or does some of the price go on liability insurance in case something goes disastrously wrong ?).

Good idea. I have time to look into that option.

Car is FWD.

I agree the dealers prices are crazy. They quoted me £146 for 4 new spark plugs (recommended by Skoda to be changed at 40k miles or 4 years). Although my car is 4 years old I have only done 13k miles so I declined. I have a few months to decide how to proceed with the cam belt but I am inclined to get the main dealer to replace the camm belt and use a local independednt garage for routing annual servicing e.g. plugs, brake fluid, coolant replacement, etc, etc.

Thanks for the info. They did inform me that the water pump would not need to be involved in the cam belt change but I felt their explanation of the reason for the more expensive cam belt was not convincing. Is it something to do with the ACT system or is it simply the longer time it takes (they did say the job would take 6.5 hours) ?

At the end of this year my 2018 Karoq (1.5TSi, DSG) will be due to have the cam belt changed (Skoda recommends 5 year intervals). The Skoda franchise I use for servicing has quoted me £1100 for this which surprised me as another Skoda franchise quoted £580. A local independent garage has quoted £880. When I queried the high price that my servicing garage quoted I was told that Karoqs can have 2 types of cam belt. One is a standard one while the other is more expensive as it is electronically tensioned by the engine management system. Apparently mine has the more expensive one. I wonder if any owner has had a similar experience and heard a similar explanation ? The local independent garage also mentioned a second rubber belt that needs to be removed to get to the cam belt. They said it would be prudent to renew this at the same time. Again, I would welcome any comments on others' experience of this.

Many thanks for this !!

I also carry a coin to prise open the fob to get at the battery.

My 2018 Karoq was delivered with Panasonic cr2025 batteries. I have used 2025 when replacing them. I might try a 2032 next time I replace.

Thanks J.R. I was hoping someone on here would know.

Thanks for your prompt reply,irfant. This was in fact my problem. Cured by a thin film of grease as you suggested. (I would still love to know what the knurled "grub screws" on the door hinges are for though !).