Hi all just looked at my service history and cambelt was changed at 39204 at 2004 then again at 67549 in 2006 then it was checked with 97000 on the clock and they said it needs a new 1!!!! Surely not??? Do some garages just say it? Or is it due again just don't seem rite what do you think?

It should be done every 4 years.

I forget the recommended mileage - 80,000 ?

So I should be ok for a little while then do you think?

If it was last done in 2006 then you should get the cambelt and water pump done. The water pump has a plastic impeller which can get brittle after about 4 years. If it disintegrates (unlikely but possible) you could end up with bits of plastic blocking the water ducts in the engine, which would be bad.

Mine was done when the car was 4 years old and the water pump came out in two pieces.

If it was last replaced in 2006 it needs replacing now as 4 years have passed.

Even if it's done little miles in the 4 year gap? I have paperwork that said it's got new metal water pump

Yeah still needs doing it's 4 years or 60k for cambelt.

4 Years is what they say so yes its due,my own vrs will only have around 35k on it when its 4 years old & will have to have its belt done then,it does seem daft but its cheaper than a engine rebuild should the belt snap or a tensioner fail.

I'm bit baffled by this because when I owned a mkiv Golf Anniversary which shares the same AUQ as the VRS 2 VW Dealers told me Cambelt change was due every 80000 miles or 6 years, 1 VW Dealer told me every 60000 miles or 5 years. Audi recommended every 60000 or 5 years on my A3 Quattro yet Skoda seems to have reduced this?

True I have a mate with a golf he was told every 5 years or 80000 miles same engine as mine :S just mine has had two and not done 40000 in this time just under 4 years!! So I don't know the car seems to run, pulls ok ect maybe get it done for the sake of £350?

It used to be longer until they identified the issue with water pump, then they reduced it.

It's really up to you whether to take the risk. It might last ten years, or it might not.

But if the cambelt fails then you're looking at basically a new engine.

What about if you have the new metal water pump fitted before?

It's really up to you whether to take the risk. It might last ten years, or it might not.

But if the cambelt fails then you're looking at basically a new engine.

Yeah Rob, I know the consequences of a snapped cambelt, bent valves, smashed pistons etc, but I've owned many cambelt cars & none of them have had a replacement recommendation of less than 60000 or 5 years.

What about if you have the new metal water pump fitted before?

We've told you the interval and why it was changed to 4 years. Im not sure what other advice you want

The other way to look at it since the four year advice came in I haven't had a bust cam belt at work.

We've told you the interval and why it was changed to 4 years. Im not sure what other advice you want

So if some1 only does 20000 miles in 4 years you still state it should be done? But yet it won't of had the same amount of wear as a car that has done 80000 miles will it? As far as the water pump goes I see what you mean but I was told that only the plastic one needs to be changed if you have thec metal one your fine. Just seems to much wrong information is sometimes advised maybe?

You said that the garage checked it five years after it was last done and recommended replacement.

It's your car and it's up to you whether to leave it, against the manufacturer's recommendation.

Take it to another garage and get them to check it. Maybe the belt is starting to fray or something.

So if some1 only does 20000 miles in 4 years you still state it should be done? But yet it won't of had the same amount of wear as a car that has done 80000 miles will it? As far as the water pump goes I see what you mean but I was told that only the plastic one needs to be changed if you have thec metal one your fine. Just seems to much wrong information is sometimes advised maybe?

It's made of rubber, rubber perishes if left standing, as for the pump, what if its on there years it contains a bearing, bearing can and do seize, stripp the belt knacker your engine.

Are we getting through to you yet

I see what all of you are saying just why one thing for vw a another for skoda? Am I right same engines?

But yet it won't of had the same amount of wear as a car that has done 80000 miles will it?

You really think that? The 80k car will have spent most of its mileage sitting at more or less constant revs, but the 20k one will have been accelerating or braking near constantly, and pulling on the cambelt the whole time.