As my OctyII is coming up to its fourth birthday, I paid a visit yesterday to my local garage to have the timing belt changed. The bill, which included supplying /fitting new cambelt, tensioner and water pump, came to £496.05. This seemed a bit steep to me but the bulk of the cost was four hours labour. I asked why the water pump had been changed and was told this was standard procedure because the pump on the Skoda has a plastic impeller which is prone to seize up.

If anyone else has had the timing belt changed recently, I would be interested to know whether the cost was in line with what I was charged.

Timing belt change is expensive, but they were right to change the water pump whilst they were there.

I remember my waterpump broke on my first mkI octy and an independent garage changed the pump and did the cambelt whilst they were there. Bill of £220 which was 3 years ago on a 1.6, so not comparable.

if replacing the waterpump, it is advisable to source one with a metal impeller, those plastic ones are sh|te

Modified plastic ones from VAG are fine (especially on the TDi as its normally the petrols that suffer). Plus you get two years warranty on the part where as you will only get 12 months on a pattern metal one.

Three hours is the correct labour time for a 2.0 PD (its actually a little less but that can alter depending on engine mounting fitted) but in practice anyone can charge what they like. An independant or someone lik myself would usually charge around £300 £350 for the belt and water pump change, the rest is a premium you pay to have a main dealer do it.

Modified plastic ones from VAG are fine (especially on the TDi as its normally the petrols that suffer). Plus you get two years warranty on the part where as you will only get 12 months on a pattern metal one.

Three hours is the correct labour time for a 2.0 PD (its actually a little less but that can alter depending on engine mounting fitted) but in practice anyone can charge what they like. An independant or someone lik myself would usually charge around £300 £350 for the belt and water pump change, the rest is a premium you pay to have a main dealer do it.

The work on my Octy was done by an independent not a Skoda main dealer, so it looks as though I paid over the odds.

Not recent, but in Oct 07 I got quotes to replace the timing belt & water pump in my Octy I from four Skoda Dealers in Southern Scotland. The lowest was £315 and highest £490. I now always get two or three quotes for any major work.

Modified plastic ones from VAG are fine (especially on the TDi as its normally the petrols that suffer). Plus you get two years warranty on the part where as you will only get 12 months on a pattern metal one.

Three hours is the correct labour time for a 2.0 PD (its actually a little less but that can alter depending on engine mounting fitted) but in practice anyone can charge what they like. An independant or someone lik myself would usually charge around £300 £350 for the belt and water pump change, the rest is a premium you pay to have a main dealer do it.

thanks thats good to know about the waterpump, when mine needs doing I will make sure I get one from Skoda.

A (vRS 130 TDI) Furby rather than an Octy but I clocked in at £480 last week for cambelt / tensioner / water pump change ............. including in addition 40k service, brake fluid change and MoT. Very happy!

A (vRS 130 TDI) Furby rather than an Octy but I clocked in at £480 last week for cambelt / tensioner / water pump change ............. including in addition 40k service, brake fluid change and MoT. Very happy!

I paid £739 for the nearly the same thing on my 1.9 TDI Octavia, after being quoted £530.:thumbdwn:

Should these be changed around 40k then?

I had my 2.0TDi 140 changed by Lummox at just short of 60K miles, but I believe that skoda say 80K miles. Just coming upto 67K miles now, and still running perfectly.

Should these be changed around 40k then?

Skoda recommend the timing belt is changed every 4 years or 75,000 miles whichever comes first.

I thought it was now 4 years or 60k miles, rather than 75k or £80k

They do seem to change their minds an awful lot.

Skoda dealer said to me 4 years, irrespective of mileage. Paid £330 at an indy garage I trust at 66k miles as car is 4 years old - they showed me the old belt afterwards and it looked pretty good still - very little wear. Have always changed diesel belts at approaching the 60k mark to be safe

I had my cambelt changed a wek ago at a good locel garage - the kit was purchased from VW inc belt, tensioner, pulley and guide wheel - my water pump was checked for leaks and was pronounced ok and did not need changing. The kit coet 138.00, total bill inc labour was 340.00

I had my cambelt changed a wek ago at a good locel garage - the kit was purchased from VW inc belt, tensioner, pulley and guide wheel - my water pump was checked for leaks and was pronounced ok and did not need changing. The kit coet 138.00, total bill inc labour was 340.00

I'd have changed the water pump as a matter of course, they are known to seize and strip the cambelt, its not worth saving £20-30 in not doing so.