Hi I know this has been asked before but .... (sorry if i ramble on)

I have a 2007 Octavia 1.9tdi pd 105. Nearly 60000 miles on it, had seen on here various times about 4 Years/60,000 miles for cambelt. However on checking my service manual it says 150,000 Kms for the cambelt (nearly 94,000 miles) no mention of 4 years?

I spoke to my local independant VW specialist who says its 70,000 but sooner the better. Emailed Skoda UK who, rather than give me a straight answer, told me to call my local dealer. Local dealer says its 80,000 miles? Which is it?

Main dealer quoted £250 to get the belt done, Local independendant VW specialist quoted £80 for the kit from TPS and 3 hours labour at £30 per hour.

Other question I have is - my uncle got his Mark 1 Octy 1.9 done at an independant and was told that replacement belts never last as long as the original fitted at the time the engine was built, even with genuine parts, as men cant torque or set the new belt up as well as the machines in the factory - anyone ever heard of this?

120,000 km = 74,000 miles or 4 years - whichever is sooner

I've not heard of the replacements not lasting so well, but there's lots I don't know

Local independendant VW specialist quoted £80 for the kit from TPS and 3 hours labour at £30 per hour.

How much for the labour?

Even the dealer price of £250 is better than most dealers

Make sure you get the water pump done at the same time. It's about £25 for the part and doesn't take any time to do once the garage is inside the engine for the cambelt

Sounds like you're getting very good value on this one - getting it done plus pollen filter, oil change, check of suspension bushings etc (all the annual service items) and a litre of the same oil they put in the engine for variable servicing to tide me over until the next service came to 700 Euro at one of the VW dealers in Limerick, Ireland - happy to pay that though, the car hit 4 years and 60,000 miles at about the same time and I'd heard nothing but good reports of that garage's work (And have no complaints myself either) ...

They commented that it was easier to work on than the golf with the same engine too, which was a bit of a surprise given the bonnet doesn't have as wide an opening as the Golf. Get the water pump done at the same time anyway, it'd cost the same labour if it breaks later, and it could easily take your engine with it since it's driven by the timing belt...

120,000 km = 74,000 miles or 4 years - whichever is sooner

I've not heard of the replacements not lasting so well, but there's lots I don't know

When I bought my 08 Octavia with 90,000 miles, I contacted the dealer who had serviced it from new, to check about the Cambelt and the Automatic fluid change. The person I spoke to told me that the belt was not due to be changed until 120,000 miles.

I wonder what would be the response if it broke before I get it changed. At least the gearbox fluid has been changed.

TDI's are due for change at 120,000 km, not 120,000 miles. That's about 75k miles give or take.

Response... I'd get it in writing, because you'd probably need it to get anywhere at all.

Edited 13 May, 201016 yr by cheezemonkhai