In the garage yesterday together with the belt and 2 pulleys they replaced the water pump and the part shown in the photo (some kind of damper - code 06B 109 479) on my 1.8T ARX.

My question is - This part doesn

If it's 06B 109 477 then that's the belt tensioning damper (although the PN could now be 479). Dampers often have a finite life and I would be happy for mine to be replaced along with the cambelt.

PS - I would like to know in advance though that I might be billed for that part in addition to the belt plus other bits.

As is often the case when the things in bits it's easier to replace parts that will require replacement at some time possibly in the near future. Your water pump was probably replaced for this reason aswell.

yeah, could have been done for thr future, it may have cost an additional

Always get the price upfront with any garage - or tell them to contact you BEFORE doing the work if you go over a pre-agreed limit. That way you're less likely to get a nasty surprise and they can still recommend you get stuff replaced

In My Own Opinion I have Changed Quite A few Cam belts Over The Years I Would Change Any Roller, Tenioner,Water Pump That Comes In Contact With The Belt, Whilst In That Area Of The Engine You Would Kick Yourself If After A Few Thousand Miles One Item Failed Because You Tried To Save A Few Quid, Causing Many More Hundreds Worth.

Many parts on cars are supersceded(?) as cars are developed-this can be as a result of problems or change of maker or just reduction of seperate parts ie 3 seperate part no's modded and covered by 1 single.

The particular part shown could cause a lot of damage if it failed - the belt would loose tension and jump teeth - which could result in valves hitting pistons and around a 3,000 gbp bill :eek:

The little roller wheel can be bought seperately - but as has been said - I would always replace any component that comes into contact with the belt - it might cost more in parts and possibly a little more in labour - but can save you a hell of a lot of money and hassle in the long run.

Well worth replacing those dampers, ive seen one leak before on a mates vRS which caused the belt to go slack.

So if they have to remove parts A, B, and C in order to replace D the labour will be quoted for replacing D only?

What if they replace A, B, C and D at the same time- Only labour for D will be quoted?