Can anybody tell me how long it should take to change a belt? I have heard two hours should be quite enough, is this correct?

Petrol/Diesel?

Depends how many you have done. 2 hours is good going to do the full job.

Timing belt from start to finish will take about 7 hours. Thats how long it took me on a drive with no 4 poster ramps and thats roughly what garages quote to do the job. The actual job of changing the belt is easy. Its the getting at it and taking bits of thats labour intensive.

I dont actually want to do it myself. What im doing is trying to get the best price i can by ringing around. Iv been told that they can be turned around in a couple of hours. Obviously by someone that knows what they are doing. I can pick the belt kit up for €130.00 inc vat but some places i have been ringing are just way out with quotes eg: Parts quote €175 + labour €275. If it does take a pro two hours that would make his time 137.50 per hour. I think i can see a neuro

surgeon for around the same price and would possibly recommend that the mechanic sees him also!

You will not find it cheaper than about €380 / £320. If you do, You run the risk of a bodge job.

Make sure you get the complete cambelt kit (including rollers and tensioners), some garages cut quotes/costs by swapping just the belt by itself. Not good.

You get what you pay for.

I dont actually want to do it myself. What im doing is trying to get the best price i can by ringing around. Iv been told that they can be turned around in a couple of hours. Obviously by someone that knows what they are doing. I can pick the belt kit up for €130.00 inc vat but some places i have been ringing are just way out with quotes eg: Parts quote €175 + labour €275. If it does take a pro two hours that would make his time 137.50 per hour. I think i can see a neuro

surgeon for around the same price and would possibly recommend that the mechanic sees him also!

There is no way a garage could do a complete cam belt change etc in 2 hours from start to finish.

Put my pd vrs this morning in for 40,000 service with fluid change 290 pounds and as I had been quoted 295 for cambelt and pump of indy ,asked dealer how much well he said 399 with pump so asked him to price match but he said his best price would be 330 which includes coolant which would have to be done next year anyway so to save hassle of going to indy I agreed. Then today gets a call to say all wipers are us ,ok replace them how much 42 quid bloody hell I said he replied we won't charge labour,then an hour or so later another call to say some corrugated tunnel near hand brake lever has collapsed and needs replacing urgent ,ok then go on how much only 82 quid all in,bloody service has cost a fortune.

Put my pd vrs this morning in for 40,000 service with fluid change 290 pounds

£300 for a service!? You were robbed well before the rest of the work.

See here...

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/227036-first-service-costs-on-variable-servicing/

260 for major service I thought was not bad and 30 quid for fluid change was a tenner cheaper than an Audi/ vw indy.

The only difference between an ordinary and major service is the pollen and air filter. £8 and £15 respectively plus 15mins labour.

My local Skoda dealer charges £130 inc. VAT for an ordinary service.

Auto Data may give a time of Two hours but they dont allow for seized bolts and mis-haps lol its always a big job fitting a complete cam belt kit (With water pump)

Already asked him about fixed price and he can't do it because he is franchised not sponsored whatever that means.

Already asked him about fixed price and he can't do it because he is franchised not sponsored whatever that means.

if it was a main dealer, then they are all franchises and have to offer fixed price menu servicing with the prices being displayed at the service desk.

I had the cambelt changed on my old PD octy at Unit 18 when Ross was there. IIRC it took around 4hrs, but went without a hitch. You'll be surprised at what has to be removed to get access full access to the belt.

Yeah he has service board price menu, but I was asking about the fixed price some dealers are offering like dm Keith of York.

199 for major service ,and that was the reply I got ,just bull I think.

I just paid £640 for 3rd annual cam belt, brake fluid,pollen filter and a new thermostat and coolant , the first quote was over £750 but isaid I would go else where and they came down to put work in work shop ,worth trying to haggle !