When my Mk.1 Octavia 1.8 non turbo was 4 years old, I was told it didn't need a new cam belt as I had only done 42,000 miles and it would last until 70,000. In fact leaking cam seals meant it made sense to replace it at the same time. That new cam belt has now done 35,000 miles, but I am told it must be replaced as it is 4 years old. This advice is from the same Main Dealer who sold me the car and has carried out all the servicing.

I don't really mind, and the consequences of it going are to horrible to contemplate so I'll replace it and the water pump as well. To go with the 4 new tyres, new discs and pads, MOT and Service I splashed out on last month.

What are the Manufacturer guidelines? Does mileage or age determine the replacement time?

Yes, 4 years, 60k is the accepted interval now. So as its 4 years old I'd get it done.

Yes its also worthwhile having the waterpump and coolant changed too.

Yes

It is usually 4 years

The problem is VAG changed thir minds

Not in time to change the already published service record book

So it is down to them , but yes I think they change their mind every year

Sarah

Admittedly I've got the vRS 1.8 turbo mk1 octy, but mine had the plastic impellor water pump as std so I replaced it with a metal unit from the 225hp version of the 1.8T (the Audi TT, Leon Cupra R use metal pumps) when replacing my cambelt. I'm assuming yours will be the same plastic pump so be worth fiinding out whether a metal pump will fit yours. Then its there for life.

First bit of advice I was given after getting the octy!

Admittedly I've got the vRS 1.8 turbo mk1 octy, but mine had the plastic impellor water pump as std so I replaced it with a metal unit from the 225hp version of the 1.8T (the Audi TT, Leon Cupra R use metal pumps) when replacing my cambelt. I'm assuming yours will be the same plastic pump so be worth fiinding out whether a metal pump will fit yours. Then its there for life.

First bit of advice I was given after getting the octy!

I would n't go so far as too say the water pump is there for life. They can also sieze which is much worse than breaking up. They need changing every time the belt is off imo and at about £25 you would be crazy not too change it.

HTH

Audi TT, Leon Cupra R use metal pumps

No they dont, only aftermarket pumps have metal impellors.

No they dont, only aftermarket pumps have metal impellors.

I was gonna say that as well

Some Audi's use Metal ones that are compatible with the 1.9 diesel, why did they not bother with the petrol I wonder? :confused:

News to me, never saw a metal one when I worked for them, nice to know they are moving on.

Mine was done a couple of years ago, they got my pump in from an Audi dealer in Aberdeen, the part number on my receipt was 045121011H and all VAG boxed up etc, not sure what it was off.

Mine was done today - water pump failed on the way in to work at c. 9:00 a.m. By 9:50 a.m. the car was at Fish Bros, and by 15:10 I had a call from Nicky to say it was done and time to collect it. Cam belt done at the same time as it was just about exactly the right age, and half the job is already done to remove the water pump anyway.

Big to Nicky @ Fish Bros for prompt and courteous service at very short notice!

Yes

It is usually 4 years

The problem is VAG changed thir minds

Not in time to change the already published service record book

So it is down to them , but yes I think they change their mind every year

Sarah

The net result however is that with less than 80,000 miles on the clock, my car is about to have it's third cambelt fitted. Far be it from me to suggest that Skoda (VAG) are altering their service schedule to fill a profit hole that new car sales can't fill, but it does make me wonder. I need a reliable independent Service Agent in East London. Any suggestions?

Im getting worried now, I didnt realise it was important to change the water pump aswell, when i bought my MK1 Octy it had 64,000 on it with the cam bely being replaced at 55,000.

The car has now done 69,000 and the belt now 2 years old, but it appears i dont have any receipts for a water pump so i would say my pump has never been changed and at 69,000 can i ask when they tend to shere off and take the cam belt :confused:

Looks like i may have to do my pump then but then have to do all the cambelt and tensioners as it wouldnt make good sense to put the same belt on.

Generally what the water pump fails it is internally it seperates from the shaft, and thus no longer spins. This just means the water is not circulating properly. In some cases (iirc, Dennis was one), the pump fins disintegrated.

I think it is fair to say (although I stand to be corrected) that the pump "failure" is not likely to "take the cam belt". Initial problems will be seen as a rise in water temperature, especially when driving in a spirited fashion.

If your going to spend the time doing a change of the pump then I would certainly change the belt. As for the pulleys and tensioners, better to be on the safe side, but the ones I took off my TDi looked fine after 60k (I did change them anyway).

Generally what the water pump fails it is internally it seperates from the shaft, and thus no longer spins. This just means the water is not circulating properly. In some cases (iirc, Dennis was one), the pump fins disintegrated.

I think it is fair to say (although I stand to be corrected) that the pump "failure" is not likely to "take the cam belt". Initial problems will be seen as a rise in water temperature, especially when driving in a spirited fashion.

If your going to spend the time doing a change of the pump then I would certainly change the belt. As for the pulleys and tensioners, better to be on the safe side, but the ones I took off my TDi looked fine after 60k (I did change them anyway).

Spot on

Yes , if the guage goes up when your driving a bit spirited , the temp guage will raise and that is the sign of the impella`s going

Keep a close eye on the needle , if it raises and drops depemdong on speed , then it will be water pump

Sarah

Spot on

You can tell I was a bit bored at work this afternoon

Im getting worried now, I didnt realise it was important to change the water pump aswell

My personal view is it's not essential to change the pump, but if you're getting the cambelt changed then the pump is there and I think it's a sensible precaution to change it as well for one labour charge.

Personally I don't want to risk overheat and potentially damaging the cylinder head so I changed the pump with the cambelt (having bent two heads on the same engine on a work astra diesel van through overheating!) - maybe it's not that drastic when a pump fails in the octy but I feel more reassured for having had it done. Anyone had a water pump fail?

There are several instancea on here of people who have had the pumps fails, mainly on the 1.8T, not sure there have been any reported TDi failings.

However, yes I agree, having the the pump changed when your doing a cam belt is only a bit more work, so worth the investment, as there is a known problem with the plastic ones. I think I might be tempted to changed my pump with everyone cam belt change.