Hi all,

My Petrol VRS lost all its coolant for the second time in 6 months (first time apparently a cracked radiator).

This time, they have diagnosed a spectacularly knackered water pump, and I'm due to collect tomorrow.

It is being done under warranty.

However, they haven't mentioned anything about the timing belt.

Given it would be bonkers not to change this (cat nearly 5 years old on February 2020) when the water pump is done, I will phone first thing to check if they are planning to do it.

What I want to know is....is it reasonable to expect this to be also covered, or is it reasonable that I pay some or all of the cost?

Cheers

Chris

I don't think you've got a prayer expecting it to be done but maybe worth asking for a reduced price as a lot of the work is relevant to the water pump.

Isn’t the water pump at the other end of the engine now?

Mk3 Petrol vRS?

All chains aren't they?

Yes

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Škoda_Octavia#Engines

Yeah Mk3 VRS is chain driven. Advice I've had on here before is that the chain isnt something that has a set timeframe to change.

 

Theres been issues with Golf tsi water pumps but I think it was Gen2 EA888 engines while yours will be Gen3.

The EA888 gen3 as a timing chain.

 

The water pump is driven by a rubber belt driven from the other end (transmission side) from the balancing shaft.

I had my timing belt replaced (on a TDI) after catastrophic water pump failure due to the fact that the coolant contamination causes the belt material to perish; I would also push for any belt tensioner to be replaced too.

 

Obviously, above is relevant to what configuration the petrol engine actually uses.

 

 

MK3 octy petrol engines use:

 

1.2 TSi  Timing Chain, water pump i'm unsure how it's driven

1.4 TSi Cambelt. Water pump i think is driven by cambelt

1.4 TSi ACT cambelt, water pump as above

2.0 TSi timing chain, Water pump is belt driven off balance shaft, 5 hour job as inlet manifold has to be removed for access, night mare if the belt is dropped in the engine by accident as engine might need stripping and rebuilding to avoid damage.

 

not sure on the new 1.0 and 1.5 TSI's or the 1.5 TSi ACT,

Skoda still have my car (Day 8), as they had to order in the water pump.

They have contacted me to say that after it was fitted, it is failing the pressure test for some reason, so they will update me on Monday.

Am I over anxious about thinking gasket issues??

1 hour ago, Bertieboy74 said:

Skoda still have my car (Day 8), as they had to order in the water pump.

They have contacted me to say that after it was fitted, it is failing the pressure test for some reason, so they will update me on Monday.

Am I over anxious about thinking gasket issues??

Possibly, might just have a coolant leak from somewhere else other then the water pump, it has been known on all different make and models and engines.

Cheers, let's hope so!

I had total coolant loss and radiator replacement 6 months ago, and fine in between. Seems a coincidence....