Dewi the Yeti is nearly 5!

 

Today he's been down to Sinclair Skoda in Swansea and had lots of money spent on him.

Short service, including a new pollen filter.

New cam belt, but no water pump as they are still on back order.

New MOT with a couple of minor advisories.

Now he's on regular servicing instead of "on demand" as my work/life pattern is drastically changing.

 

Were taken into town in a Rapid Sportsback which I found quite impressive but need to check whether it will tow our caravan. Lots of room in the back and a nice comfortable ride.

 

Interestingly the price quoted by Sinclair's was CHEAPER than my local independent!

Did they replace the cam belt ?.

I thought it was cheaper to do the water pump at the same time.

Yes they did replace the cam belt as it is 5 years old and has done 90k miles, and debatable whether it should have been done last year, since there has been some "discussion"  in the past about this.

 

I was NOT willing to wait any longer, and the dealer stated that it is a bit "belt & braces" anyway and they haven't yet had a pump fail.

 

(Plus the dealer is 2 hours away!!)

I would be ordering my own parts including tensioner pulley prior to belt replacement .

....no water pump as they are still on back order...  Strange, if they haven't had a pump fail yet? 

 

....my work/life pattern is drastically changing...      Oh dear - not a good medical, then?

I would be ordering my own parts including tensioner pulley prior to belt replacement .

 

What?

The cam belt comes as a kit with the pulleys.

 

 

....no water pump as they are still on back order...  Strange, if they haven't had a pump fail yet? 

 

....my work/life pattern is drastically changing...      Oh dear - not a good medical, then?

 

 

My local independent first told me that VAG had a problem supplying water pumps for the 110/140/170 range of engines, such that they were only supplying to the factory and not to anywhere else. This was confirmed by the dealer today. He also said that the water pump is not an automatic replacement item with the new cam belt, just suggested, and a lot of owners do not bother. He also said that VAG are now getting the first of the new manufacturers pumps through and that there was another manufacturers pump available but it was only suitable for some engines (not mine!)

 

Medical was not brilliant!! Classed as suitable for "light duties only" but they can't find me any. I suspect I know what the outcome will be....................

So they 'suggest' but can't 'supply'.

The expense, I would suggest, is the reason they recommend the pump replacement.

It's a strange response for owners

Sorry, Ryeman, but I don't understand your point.

VAG "suggest" that it "might" be a good idea to change the water pump whilst the cam belt is being changed and that has been their "suggestion" since the CR engine has been out. It is easier to do it at that time and CHEAPER for the customer, however there does not appear to be any major problems in NOT changing the pump, as reported by my trusted dealer.

If I had insisted on having a water pump fitted it would have meant having either to leave my car at the dealers, nearly 100 miles from home until a pump was available, and leaving me with no transport, OR to continue driving beyond the 5 year date with a possibly worn cam belt.

The fact that the pump has been on back order for a while is immaterial.

.....Medical was not brilliant!! Classed as suitable for "light duties only" but they can't find me any. I suspect I know what the outcome will be....................

Understood about the pump. 

 

The implications of a premature, medical retirement vary by employer.  I trust you'd not be too distressed...

No it's just a big spend replacing the belt and it's the perfect time to do everything at once if only for the peace of mind.

However if it's likely to be traded soon you don't want to spend the extra if it's not going to be reflected in a better return.

Best of luck with your health.

Llanigraham - did you like their new premises down at Sinclair's? Apparently it is the largest Skoda dedicated space in the UK!

I still find their level of customer care to be quite exceptional. Each time I ring they seem to recognise me and make me feel really welcome - a valued customer!

Sorry to hear about your medical stuff - but you can at least earn a crust singing round and about!!

Yes, the new premises are excellent, and they still remember you, George!

My 'Berb is due its second 'annual' service at 25k miles so I will be down there in the next week or so. I visited their emporium to have winter tyres fitted - Kumho jobbies - but sadly, because much of their expansive site is available to Seat and VW commercial et al they were unable to store my part used Dunlop Summers as they'd done previously. They were apologetic in the extreme, but as I'd had a garage built it was ok. And their price for the changeover was excellent.