Hi

I'm on my 2nd Fabia, the latest one being a 56 reg 1.4 3 cylinder tdi. Had it from 1 year old. A great car, so was the first one. I usually buy cars around 1 year old and keep them for around 8-10 years, Within the next 2 years I'll be looking for another car and am very interested in the MK3. I'm wondering about the timing belts. Are the new engines still using the rubber belts that need changing periodically or have chain belts been used? Can anyone answer this one for me please and if so, how often (mileage and years) should they be changed? Thx

In the Mk1 manual - belts are usually every 90,000 miles.. may depend on how hard you push your car..

 

I had mine changed initially around 90,000 but I've not had mine changed since and I'm now at about 221,700+miles.. so they can last beyond what the manual quotes.  I think the belt to the alternator is still rubber on the Mk3..

In the Mk1 manual - belts are usually every 90,000 miles.. may depend on how hard you push your car..

 

I had mine changed initially around 90,000 but I've not had mine changed since and I'm now at about 221,700+miles.. so they can last beyond what the manual quotes.  I think the belt to the alternator is still rubber on the Mk3..

 

Pretty sure the PD diesels have a cambelt change schedule of 40,000 (previously 60) miles or 4 years. However, this milestone seems to retrospectively change whenever Skoda bloody feel like it.

 

EDIT: Some googling confirms that everyone agrees it is a maximum of 4 years, with mileage quoted anywhere from 40-60,000. Whichever comes first. 

 

Sorry to not answer the OPs question.

In the Mk1 manual - belts are usually every 90,000 miles.. may depend on how hard you push your car..

 

I had mine changed initially around 90,000 but I've not had mine changed since and I'm now at about 221,700+miles.. so they can last beyond what the manual quotes.  I think the belt to the alternator is still rubber on the Mk3..

But when the belt gives up youll strongly be in need of a new motor

I once owned a pick up with the 1,9 D motor. Sold it at about 225000 kms, and cannot remember it ever had a cam belt change.

My 1,9 Octavia tdi had a very costy change at 120000 kms and Im pretty sure the service manual says the same for the previous 1,4 tdi.

Wonder if the ordered mk3 1,2 tsi has a belt or a chain?

Wonder if the ordered mk3 1,2 tsi has a belt or a chain?

 

belt as it's the newer 1.2 tsi engine, only the older one was chain driven