I have a 1999 1.8 Octavia auto.

I have booked to have my timing belt, tensioner and damper replaced at 60,000

miles. My dealers said that they thought it unnecessary to have the petrol pump changed. Is it wiser to have the pump replaced at the same time?

I have been advised that the cost of the service and belt change will be

No need to replace the petrol pump dont you mean the water pump as i had mine replaced when i had my cambelt replaced as it involves the same work.

I paid 290 for cambelt and water pump changed so 160 sounds about right for a good full service.

I think it would be water pump too.

Yup Waterpump and definately worth doing at the same time.

Petrol pump should last for quite a bit longer -- would not expect to replace that untill well over 100k

Thanks for all your inputs!

Am getting an independent local VAG garage to do the job for me. Cambelt + tensioners

I'm not an Octy expert but as far as I understand that's the whole reason to change it, they wear out and the cost of the components is minimal compared to the labour costs involved should it fail. It's preventative maintenace while the engine is stripped down.

I'm not an Octy expert but as far as I understand that's the whole reason to change it, they wear out and the cost of the components is minimal compared to the labour costs involved should it fail. It's preventative maintenace while the engine is stripped down.

Would STRONGLY recomend replacement of waterpump

If the pump fails - you will be looking at the same amount of labour all over again - and I suspect any garage worth dealing with would also want to replace the belt again - as you can't rule out the belt being damaged or contaminated with coolant.

If your worried about the plastic impeller -- try Eurocarparts -- I know they have pumps that have a metal impeller.

Thanks for all your inputs!

Am getting an independent local VAG garage to do the job for me. Cambelt + tensioners

If it's the garage that are doing thw work that have advised this - I suggest you find another garage, they obviously don't have your best interests at heart - they would obviously love you to have the waterpump done at some other time at greater cost!!

I agree. If they are a VAG specialist then I would suggest that they ought to know about the costs involved.

It's the water pump you're talkin' about. I'm in the process of just getting that service done to my Fabia now I've hit 90,000kms, i.e., water pump, tensioners and belts.

After reading all your further inputs, am now going to have the water pump replaced at the same time! Thanks again!

Better safe than sorry!

Brownie XP

After reading all your further inputs' date=' am now going to have the water pump replaced at the same time! Thanks again!

Better safe than sorry!

Brownie XP[/quote']

That's definately the best route to take,the additional cost is neglible considering the possible benefit.

A friend of mine had a water pump fail not long after a timing belt change (the 2 events were unrelated). The ensuing hefty repair bill included replacing the timing belt again since that is sound practice.