hi got a 08 fabia 2 1.4 done 13000 miles somebody said at 4 years it needs a timing belt change is this correct and i will be lucky if i have done 15000 miles by its 4th aniversary...any advice please.

thanks in advance

mark

Skoda UK recommends ALL timing belts are replaced 4 Years

Skoda UK recommends ALL timing belts are replaced 4 Years

but are they saying on an average mileage of 15000 per year....i wont have done that in 4 years ?

Skoda UK recommend all timing belts are replaced every 4 years if the replacement mileage is not reached

Yep every four years .. just had mine done at 37000 miles. Better safe than sorry with timing belts!

Skoda UK recommend all timing belts are replaced every 4 years if the replacement mileage is not reached

they would though and hope you have it done at a skoda dealer...its all about creating business...but what ever skoda say do we all think a timing belt needs cahngeing if the car has only done 15000 miles

they would though and hope you have it done at a skoda dealer...its all about creating business...but what ever skoda say do we all think a timing belt needs cahngeing if the car has only done 15000 miles

Get it done where you like, but the same still applies. You've reached 4 years, or near enough, so it must be changed.

Belts can snap on low milers just as they can on high milers. Rubber does degrade and weaken especially in a high temp enviropnment like an engine bay. And they do a lot of damage if they go, potentially writing your engine off.

Yep every four years .. just had mine done at 37000 miles. Better safe than sorry with timing belts!

how much did it cost you ?

Get it done where you like, but the same still applies. You've reached 4 years, or near enough, so it must be changed.

Belts can snap on low milers just as they can on high milers. Rubber does degrade and weaken especially in a high temp enviropnment like an engine bay. And they do a lot of damage if they go, potentially writing your engine off.

thanks guys im convinced as you say better safe than sorry...any idea how much just a cam belt change should cost ?

Rubber belts deteriorate with age as well as mileage, so hence, the time limit on cam/aux belts.

I wonder if you should change the water pump at the same time? I would have thought after only 15k miles it should be still OK for a few more years use.

thanks guys im convinced as you say better safe than sorry...any idea how much just a cam belt change should cost ?

You should be able to get a belt and water pump done for £300-400. I did mine at a dealer as it was cheaper than the independent garages were!

You should be able to get a belt and water pump done for £300-400. I did mine at a dealer as it was cheaper than the independent garages were!

water pump dont need doing nothing wrong with that...ill just have my belt changed

Only extra £50 with belt, as much as the belt if needed to be changed later on.

You're asking for our advice, then ignoring what you're told.

It's best to do it and better to be safe than sorry. It's not just the belt that breaks down so do the tensioners. I had a Polo 1.4 and changed the belt when I got it. Lucky I did as both tensioners had shattered. I had them in pieces in my hand! I still can't work out how I didn't lose the engine.

You should also change the water pump too as for one you may as well do it when you're there, the thread can round on it when you change the belt as it's plastic and my Skoda dealer gave me a discounted price if I gave them the old pump in exchange. It's a no brainer really but it's your choice.

No one is conning you it's just fact that the parts do degrade overtime and not just by mileage. I presume it's 4 years because over that time the belts heat up and cool down thus weakening them over time.

Yeah...the guys are right Marc. I never ever changed a belt without a new tensioner and water pump going in as well. Pumps cost from £15 that's all. If water pumps weep they bugger the belt, if the tension goes, so does your engine. It's very cheap insurance to replace them. If I had an engine in for work that needed the belt to come off, then the belt would be replaced and if the mileage was low on the pump and tensioner, that's the only time I wouldn't do it. But it had to be very low miles for me to ignore those items. It wasn't about making money but just good practice.

Recently had belt, tensioners + water pump replaced by independent garage for 325 + vat @ 3.5 years and 72k miles.

Replaced parts were returned to me - all still looked brand new!

Mark

Only extra £50 with belt, as much as the belt if needed to be changed later on.

You're asking for our advice, then ignoring what you're told.

im not ignoring any advice im trying to get a balanced view...all the cars i have ever owned in the 30 years i have been driving have never had a water pump replaced unless it needed it..its whats reccomemnded and whats needed that im trying to weigh up...if a water pump needs doing after 15k thats a poor show.I know if i ring any main dealer up there answer will be 4 years change it no matter what.I will have to have it done as if i PX it they will ask if the belt has been changed...i may change my car before its 4 years old.

i want to thank you all for your advice i appretiate it

Yes...I know it may sound a bit daft to replace a pump, and a tensioner also, even at such low miles. But its a fact that the main reason timing belts break is because of a water pump weep, or a tension failure. NOT usually because the timing belt itself is worn out or damaged. Pumps and tensioners may look fine when you go to change the belt. Either could go on for 60,000 miles or either could fail at 30,000 miles. You'd kick yourself then. Also the technicians and garages have to always try to do the right thing by their customers, and only doing half a job is poor practice. If it failed and they hadn't changed the pump and tensioner, you 'd want to know why. All the old parts are recycled too.

Anyhoo, good luck Marc...keep in touch!

im not ignoring any advice im trying to get a balanced view...all the cars i have ever owned in the 30 years i have been driving have never had a water pump replaced unless it needed it..its whats reccomemnded and whats needed that im trying to weigh up...if a water pump needs doing after 15k thats a poor show.I know if i ring any main dealer up there answer will be 4 years change it no matter what.I will have to have it done as if i PX it they will ask if the belt has been changed...i may change my car before its 4 years old.

i want to thank you all for your advice i appretiate it

It's a VAG thing. I know they use a lot of plastic in them unlike other brands which are metal lumps. Perhaps this is the reason, I don't know.

Just know if the car is VAG brand, you do belt and pump together.

how much did it cost you ?

Not a penny ... I was buying the car second hand at a Skoda dealership and it was more or less due and so it was done by them for free, I think if I'd had to pay it would have been 250 quid for the 1.4 16v judging by the price list on display in the service area. A lot cheaper than a new engine. I had a timing belt go once on a previous vehicle (not a Skoda)... nasty, engine was toast! :'(