KB3

I didn't have to use any timing tools. I just marked everything with a paint pen at TDC and carefully changed it. Honestly the hardest part of it all was the engine mount bracket. I spent forever trying to get that out. Had to jack the engine right up and pull it forward while someone else removed it.

Timing belt, water pump, tensioner and roller bearing changed yesterday! Fairly straight forward apart from the engine mount bracket that did not want to come out initially but with a bit of struggling it did eventually come out. Good thing it was changed, as the water pump was leaking and the belt was starting to perish. All torqued up, tensioned, coolant changed and vacuum bled ready to be driven.

I did think of doing the aux belt and tensioner but to be honest they looked fine upon removal. Might be something I'll keep an eye on in the future! That's reassuring to know about the chain, but will defiantly be keeping on top of the servicing as the service history is a bit patchy. I will have to look into deleting the SAI then, hopefully that's easier then trying to source all of the air pump lines and the pump itself! Thank you!

So recently picked up a 2002 Skoda Octavia VRS and will be doing the timing belt and water pump in the next couple weeks as I have no history of it being done. I have a few questions regarding it all as this the first 1.8T I have worked on. At the same time as doing the timing belt, is there any other preventative maintenance I should be doing at the same time? I know these have a camshaft chain and tensioner but do these have their own service interval like the timing belts? I have already done a full service and done a compression check which was around 175-180 PSI across all four cylinders. The car runs really well, no unnerving sounds or rattles from the engine and for 148k miles it seems quite nippy! The only issue I have had so far is the previous owner removed the secondary air pump and it throws the EML light on for "Secondary air injection system P0411 - 35-00 - Incorrect flow detected". Is this something that can be mapped out with VCDS? Or would it just be easier to find the whole system second hand and refit it all?

Still own number 245. However, "MH07BCV" is not the registration for the car or has ever been.

Hi, just bought number 245