Dear all,

 

I bought a Skoda Fabia 1.4 turbo diesel 2005 a couple of months ago.  I know very little about cars so excuse me if this is an easy answer.  I've been reading about the consequences of cambelt failure and it's got me nervous.  I see that skoda recommend changing it every 4 years, which seems much shorter than other brands.  I see that my car's cambelt was changed a little over 4 years ago (oct 2010) but it has only done 32000 miles since then.  Is this 4 year thing a little on the conservative side or is this a matter of urgency?

 

Thanks for any help

Steve

It is recommended at 4 years yes... whether that's a conservative timescale is unclear.

 

The question you need to ask yourself is whether it's worth the risk?

 

Also recommended to have the water pump changed at the same time.

 

Phil

For peace of mind it's best to change ASAP.

DB

I wouldn't worry too much but again I wouldn't leave it too long either  it's not just miles or time but many short journeys mean lots of starts and much more strain on the belt --at least then once done you can rest easy --as it's going to be the third belt  a new water pump would be good unless you KNOW it had one last time   it's not always the belt but tensioner/idlers that give up---  you often find manufactures with long belt life end up revising once the warranty claims start rolling in

Im guessing by how many miles covered in the last 4 years by previous owner.it was only driven short journeys

I would highly recommend for cost of cambelt kit and waterpump and possibly tensionors depending on wear get it done asap

You will find that an independant garage will charge half that local dealer does

Oh and plus might be worth getting the drive belt done too if it looks perished and shiny

If a cambelt snaps it will mean another engine

I kno from experince of having 2 snap on different cars and another car the idler pulley gave up.every car owners worse nightmare

OK.  That's a pretty clear consensus.  I'm kicking myself a bit that i didn't ask the selling garage to do it when i bought a couple of months ago.  However, not really knowing anything about cars, i've only just found out.  Luckily it has a full service history so i can see that it was last changed with the water pump.  Money is a bit tight at the moment being just after Xmas but i'll aim to get it done in the spring.  I only use the car at weekends as it is.  What sort of price would be a reasonable deal for that sort of job?

 

Thanks

Steve

Well if i was you.get several quotes before making your mind up

My local mech charges £40ph

I would say book time for changing cambelt kit would be 2.5 -4 hrs they will be able to tell if waterpump needs to be changed ie and visual signs of water stains

There are many different brands to choose from. If you look on euro car parts site type in your reg they will give the prices etc

Imo garages will charge/quote an extra hr labour just to be safe

Btw garages get bits at a discount so bear that in mind

I changed the aux belt on my 1.9tdi yest. Ended up taking wheel off .inner wheel arch liner off. Then belt off new one on

Took me hr and half. Saved myself 60 quid in labour.

hope this helps

adam

In which month did you actually buy the car?

 

And was it a dealer and sold as an approved used car with 12 month warranty etc?

 

Phil

Hi there,

 

Bought just before Xmas.  It has a 12 month warranty but don't know about "approved used car". 

 

Another thing is that my wife is German and so we looked at the timing belt intervals recommended there for our Fabia.  They recommend a change every 120000km or 5 years (about 80000 miles, i guess).  Given that UK and German Skodas are built in the same way (and maybe in the same place?), why are our intervals at basically half the mileage?  Seems wierd to me.

 

Steve

So basically they sold you a car with an overdue timing belt change?

 

Take it back to the dealer and get them to change it FOC!

 

Phil

I'll give them a call next week.  It was not a Skoda dealer but it was a dealer that came recommended by several people we know.  I still find it strange that the German and UK regulations are so different for exactly the same car.  I'll give the garage a ring next week.

Hi Folks,

 

I wrote a couple of weeks ago regarding advice on cambelt changes.  I got it done today for piece of mind.  The old belt was knackered so feeling quite pleased.

 

CHeers

Steve