Jump to content

Advice please


DILLIGAFF

Recommended Posts

Hi guys

I have now enjoyed my Citigo since 2013 and at my recent service I was advised to change the cambelt.

My question is this, as it has still only done 19,000 miles and has mostly been garaged, just how urgent is this cambelt replacement?

 

Thanks

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are usually two criteria for a timing belt change, age and mileage. With only 19k you're no where the latter.

 

My 2013 Citigo with 61k was recently serviced at the dealer and they didn't mention changing the belt.

 

Pete

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've known cars to do over 100,000 miles without a cambelt change (although this may be silly!).

 

Whether the Citigo/Mii/Up cars are vastly different I don't know,but I would say it's an unessesary expense for your car at the moment.

 

I stand to be corrected by someone more knowledgeable.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Can o worms. Depends who you ask.. I've had a dealer tell me no time limit just mileage.. had an independent say every 4 years or 100+k?! But also vice versa so go figure..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

i believe the interval for the vw up is something like 70k miles or 5 years, whichever comes first. Being a 2013 model, it's coming up to 5 years old, so it should be coming up to the interval. However i imagine it would be fine to drive it to the mileage interval.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My son had a 2004 Fiesta. Ford advised a cambelt change at 100,000 miles. The expense was more than the car was worth but he kept driving it.

 

The gearbox packed in at 125,000 miles so he scrapped it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

My Citigo will be 5 years old on May 3rd and it's done less than 4,500 miles.  It cost me over £12k when new in 2013 and is in immaculate condition plus it's always been kept in a garage too.  I believe it's now worth about £4,500 in a trade-in.  I can't really believe that VAG could have designed an engine that needs a new cambelt after only 5 years.  According to the website of official Skoda dealers, Jardine Motors Group trading as Lancaster, a replacement cambelt (no water pump mentioned) costs £499.  It's not even shown on the official Skoda UK website where it states "Excludes Citigo" with no mention of an actual Citigo cambelt replacement cost.    I'd also have to pay £159 for an Interim Service plus £52 for a Brake Fluid change plus the cost of an MOT around May 3rd.  This little lot would come to nearly £765 for a car that's now worth sweeties!!  I'm disgusted to say the least.

 

A couple of days ago, I even received a large official Skoda postcard (both sides shown below) invitation from a local Skoda dealer to "Book your cambelt replacement now."   It must be a very good money spinner for them because most of the £499 charge is obviously for labour and I fear that we're all being ripped off.:angry:  I wonder what "We thought we'd remind you to book in for one of our ŠKODA- trained technicians to have a look" actually means?  I can't imagine that the cambelt can actually be "looked at" or inspected, to verify whether it needs to be changed or not?

 

I don't know if I'm allowed to add links to other forums or not but there's an interesting discussion on this very subject on the VW up! forum here:- The dreaded cam belt debate! 

 

 

Citigo Cambelt a.JPG

 

Citigo Cambelt b.JPG

 

Citigo Service a.JPG

 

Citigo Cambelt c.JPG

 

Citigo Cambelt d.JPG

 

 

Edited by JimmyR
Link to comment
Share on other sites

150,000 miles is a long time before doing it,  maybe after 15 years or more with a UpMiiCitigo!

Some might never have it done before being scrapped or the engine being scrap.

 

location location location and environment and usage matters, and not suggestions or advice from others than know none of those things about your vehicle.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had my wife's Citigo SEP 12, cambelt replaced January this year. It only has 11,500 miles but I've always been around 5 years to play safe.

 

Do not get caught with the we'll do both the cambelt and change the water pump for xxx £'s. The water pump is on the opposite side of the engine and is not part of the cambelt drive like other engines and it has its own small belt :)

 

My local garage did it for around £240.00.

 

I know it's only a little engine but for that sort of money it ain't worth chancing it IMO.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Community Partner

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to BRISKODA. Please note the following important links Terms of Use. We have a comprehensive Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.