Hi all,

I thought I would share my recent cambelt change experience for all those who live near or in Bristol.

Upon searching cambelt change Bristol to find out the recommended garages locally - It seemed streetwise motors was the place to go... VAG specialist, good service etc.....

After getting a quote for £370 to do a cambelt and water pump change without the aux belt or tensioner - I thought I would keep looking. In all fairness to streetwise these were with genuine parts and a 2 year warranty. A few other garages wanted similar money...

I decided to get a quote from SGB, Filton as I work at Rolls Royce and they are right next door. For doing the work they wanted £100+VAT if I supplied the parts. Now that’s more like it!

I got all my parts from Euro Car Parts with a promotional 25% January sale deal. These are the parts:

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Skoda_Octavia_1.8_2003/p/car-parts/engine-parts/belts-chains-and-tensioners/timing-belt-kit/?349770535&1&8a62cd598b2998be3c16aaecac2c46013cbfb3a5&000332

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Skoda_Octavia_1.8_2003/p/car-parts/engine-parts/belts-chains-and-tensioners/car-drive-belt/?202441175&1&b64b3f7df997671a229c5e47b906c5be3cee931b&000108

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Skoda_Octavia_1.8_2003/p/car-parts/car-cooling-parts-and-car-heating/cooling/water-pump-gasket/?201440651&1&0b50815a47c839a8c16e40f8a2874683ce5d4a75&000366

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Skoda_Octavia_1.8_2003/p/car-parts/car-service-parts/regular-service/anti-freeze/?523770481&1&8793395a13dad3e34f8f23f057e4fb695b8ba053&000397

So for approx £250 I got labour, Cambelt kit with hydraulic damper included, metal water pump, new aux/v-belt/drive belt and antifreeze (with half left over).

Good service from SGB too...

The water pump was knackered btw,,,

I hope this will help somebody out who lives in Bristol as I have had no end of help from everybody on here with jobs I have done recently.. Including.

Rear boot solenoid stuck - remove and lube

Squealing starter motor after ignition (approx 1 sec) - remove, airline, clean and silicone

Droplink replacement and ARB replacement to stop knocking

Sticky gear shifter (not returning to centre position in neutral) - gear selected linkage removal and grease.

So thanks guys and girls you have saved me a small fortune and made my car like new again!

If you are in Bristol, check out Vee W Spares & Servicing too.

However for £100+vat for a cambelt change that isn't half bad. Did they replace the engine mount bolts?

I take mine to performance driven in taunton

Whats the metal water pumps ?

You went from Norfolk to Bristol for a cambelt change? Why?

Whats the metal water pumps ?

Water pump with a metal impeller rather than the oe plastic I'd have thought

Edited 30 January, 201313 yr by Frisco

So do they not need to be swapped as often ? Or more efficent

So they dont fall apart and make their way through the engine apparently although the one I removed from my car 3 weeks looked very original and was still in one piece

Was talking to the garage earlier as they are doing my cambelt end of month. Hes been told and read it in numerous places from vag companies to use the plastic pump as yes it may break up and get in the engine but the damage of that is nothing compared to a metal pump going and working its way through the block which has happened!

Pros and cons for each i guess, but as long as its done on time most people will never know a difference!