Hi all,

Being new to the site, I hope I am posting in the right place.

Having a had a quick glance on the site I know there has been a bit of discussion of this topic, but wanted a bit of up to date advice.

I have a 57 plate Fabia 1.4Tdi which I purchased in June this year in a desperate attempt to reduce my running costs. When I collected the car it had a 32.000 on it and was serviced. As I do about 400 miles a week I knew the next service would come around really quickly and budgeted £400 which was the figure being displayed for a 40.000 service.

Calling in today to book the service I was startled to discover that it was reccomended that the cam belt should be changed adding over £300 to the bill. On previous cars I have owned (Vectra,. Fiesta) cam belt changes were reccomended at nearer 60.000-80.000.

40.000 or even four years seems very early to me. I am obviously aware of the consequences of the cam belt going, but how likely is this to happen if I leave it a few weeks to save up the money.

Is this fairly common for modern cars to have cam belt chnage so early.

You should be ok for a few weeks. But its your call.

Sent from under "harlands bonnet" using Tapatalk !!

40.000 or even four years seems very early to me. I am obviously aware of the consequences of the cam belt going, but how likely is this to happen if I leave it a few weeks to save up the money.

Is this fairly common for modern cars to have cam belt chnage so early.

Only VAG cars in the UK it seems - what does your service book say? Mine states replace at 120,000km for a PD engine but Skoda UK have the 4 year / 40000mile rule.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=68965

Look at this and make your own decision but this only came in after variable service was introduced across the VAG range of cars. I personally think it was to compensate dealers for loss of servicing work as business users won't be affected as company cars are long gone by then in private ownership who can pick up the tab for this.

My fabia is now over 4.5 years old with 50000 mile and I will be getting the cam belt done next service by a private garage with parts including a metal water pump from GSF.

Had my 2005 Fabia VRS Cambelt + Auxiliary belt+ Water-pump + renewed G12 anti-freeze after 5 years with 44,500 miles on clock.

Bill came just short of £350.00 from independent garage.

40.000 or even four years seems very early to me. I am obviously aware of the consequences of the cam belt going, but how likely is this to happen if I leave it a few weeks to save up the money.

Is this fairly common for modern cars to have cam belt chnage so early.

Yes - in the case of Skodas - which are variously reported as requiring it at either 4 years/60,000 miles or 4 years/75,000 miles.

Mine was done at 29,000 miles! :( But I managed to get it done including water pump for £131.37 at a Skoda dealer.

I'd negotiated a £150 voucher when I bought the car and Skoda sent me 2x£50 parts vouchers too - he said it was the cheapest cambelt he'd ever fitted!

Edited 29 October, 201114 yr by DRJ

Thanks all - There certainly does seem to be conflicting advice. but I guess that peace of mind feeling will win over in end.

The garage initial quoted about £350 but reduced to £290 when I gave them so much stick for not telling me I would need a cam belt change so early. Still needed to leave for a few weeks top get the money together. Was so shocked did not find out what it included.

Sounds like it maybe worth getting some other quotes,although I do have a 12 month dealer warrenty

It's likely the dealer warranty will be invalidated if the belt isn't replaced at the recommended time interval though...

It's likely the dealer warranty will be invalidated if the belt isn't replaced at the recommended time interval though...

Check your service book, it doesn't mention 4 years or 40k miles anywhere for either of my Skodas. Mine states visual inspection at 60k km and replace cambelt at 120k km for the PD engine and this is backed up with service documentation I have found from Skoda CZ.

I noticed someone on this forum from Ireland went into the local skoda dealer asking about cambelt change at 40k miles and they didn't know what they were talking about.

Edited 29 October, 201114 yr by djdazzy

Yes - in the case of Skodas - which are variously reported as requiring it at either 4 years/60,000 miles or 4 years/75,000 miles.

Mine was done at 29,000 miles! :( But I managed to get it done including water pump for £131.37 at a Skoda dealer.

I'd negotiated a £150 voucher when I bought the car and Skoda sent me 2x£50 parts vouchers too - he said it was the cheapest cambelt he'd ever fitted!

So was it 131 quid plus 150 and 100? = 381 quid. Priced up my local independent and the will do it all in at about 280 quid.

I have heard that a lot of VW dealers are doing it for 300 quid.

Edited 29 October, 201114 yr by djdazzy

I know it was that price - still cheaper than the Gloucester dealer - which has just been bought by the VW one.

Check your service book, it doesn't mention 4 years or 40k miles anywhere for either of my Skodas. Mine states visual inspection at 60k km and replace cambelt at 120k km for the PD engine and this is backed up with service documentation I have found from Skoda CZ.

The dealers are advising current service recommendations. In that context I believe any claim on the warranty would be voided since the dealer had already advised it should be replaced. Plus see my comment below

I noticed someone on this forum from Ireland went into the local skoda dealer asking about cambelt change at 40k miles and they didn't know what they were talking about.

True - no one's suggesting it should be changed at 40,000 miles. The interval is variously reported at 4 years/60,000 miles or 4 years/75,000 miles as I've previously mentioned. Whichever comes first. You yourself state "replace cambelt at 120k km" which is why I believe the 75,000 mile criterion is the correct one not 60,000 as others state.

It's just that most people do less mileage that the yearly allowance and hence it comes up at the four year service - which for someone doing 10k a year happens to coincide with the 40,000 miles service.

Hi all,

Being new to the site, I hope I am posting in the right place.

Having a had a quick glance on the site I know there has been a bit of discussion of this topic, but wanted a bit of up to date advice.

I have a 57 plate Fabia 1.4Tdi which I purchased in June this year in a desperate attempt to reduce my running costs. When I collected the car it had a 32.000 on it and was serviced. As I do about 400 miles a week I knew the next service would come around really quickly and budgeted £400 which was the figure being displayed for a 40.000 service.

Calling in today to book the service I was startled to discover that it was reccomended that the cam belt should be changed adding over £300 to the bill. On previous cars I have owned (Vectra,. Fiesta) cam belt changes were reccomended at nearer 60.000-80.000.

40.000 or even four years seems very early to me. I am obviously aware of the consequences of the cam belt going, but how likely is this to happen if I leave it a few weeks to save up the money.

Is this fairly common for modern cars to have cam belt chnage so early.

Hi Withe42, Welcome to the site! Yes, it sounds a bit odd that it should be changed so early but it is required on the PD engine. Unlike on most other engines such as common rail diesels the PD engine's cam belt works much much harder and can wear much more quickly. So my advise is stick to the service interval for this change. Ok a few weeks or even months won't really make much difference in your case, but do get it changed. Always have the cambelt tensioner and waterpump changed at the same time. These are not expensive and will safeguard your engine for the future. Good luck.

Edited 3 November, 201114 yr by Estate Man

hi

I have a 7 year old fabia vrs 1.9 diesel, 60,000 miles

Have just been advised by dealer that belt should be replaced at 4 years.

As others have found the handbook is confusing, makes no ref to 4 years.

phoned Skoda UK. they said that Skoda UK recommend 80,000miles or 4 years whichever is soonest.( They 4 years only introduced 2 years ago). However they also said that the manufacturer recommends 80,000 miles only.

So still confused!!!

Just had 04 belt /works done at 63k . Granted car has been off road for almost two years .But with all the hype - it's a gamble - 3-4 hundred vs 3-4k if belt goes .

Hi

Further to my previous post.

Does anyone have evidence of belt failure? and at what mileage.

Not on my Skoda, as changed at 4yrs

My Vauxhall Astra belt snapped at 18 months 50k a mile after driving away from the 50k service

New engine

The 60k is for wear

The 4 years is for deteriation of the belt composite due to climate (cold) ie if you have a rubber band and leave it on the doorstep in the UK after four years it will be brittle, perished, dry and will snap, a rubber belt left on the doorstep in Italy will still be pliable and PROBABLY not snap

I know it is NOT rubber, but the composite is the same idea

National