Petrol Yeti cambelt

[GABBYRUE]

Hi, my wife got a call from the local Skoda garage telling her the cambelt and brake fluid would need changing on her 2015 Yeti 1.4 petrol. Whilst it is 5 years old its only done 26k. Brake fluid is an easy one but who thinks cambelt is vital at this point? How much does anyone think the cost of the job would be,  roughly?

[Urrell]

Later Yeti Cam belts including yours are changed at 5 years regardless of mileage.
They would probably last the life of the car and some are now being fitted like that, but would you take the chance?

Edit: This shows costs at a VAG independent near me, I have used them for cam belt changes.
https://lvsag.co.uk/pricing/

Edited 30 June, 2020 by Urrell

[kenfowler3966]

If it fails under 5 years old you could potentially get skoda to pay, over 5 years the £4-5k for a new engine is alldown to you....

 

I read somewhere that the belts are changed at intervals determined such that 99% or so will have lasted to that point. Some might last twice as long, but that is up to you.

It is time which destroys them, not use, as with tyres which really need changing at 5 years, even if not worn out due to cracking which develops in the rubber.

 

Brake fluid is another matter, and my local independent used to test it, and change when it was no longer safe to keep for another year or so. Typically 4 to 5 years on a low mileage car such as my wifes.

[varaderoguy]

I would definitely recommend getting the cambelt AND waterpump changed at exactly the same time.  The 1.4 litre engine (from the Yeti era) is also prone to impeller breakup on the waterpump; the newer replacement waterpumps fix that problem.  Cambelt - as has already been mentioned is also important.  Its not so much usage as age on these things.  I know it is an expensive service, but it is well worth getting it done if you want to keep your Yeti in good shape.

Edited 30 June, 2020 by varaderoguy

[Expatman]

Definitely get the cambelt and water pump changed at 5 years unless you like to gamble on £5k for a new engine!

Brake fluid recommend change every 2-3 years and it's an age thing not related to mileage. Fluid is hygroscopic and absorbs water from atmosphere to the detriment of braking components and performance of the fluid. Not an expensive job so worth doing for peace of mind.

Edited 30 June, 2020 by Expatman

[GABBYRUE]

Thanks to all replys, all helpful and it will be done very soon

Thanks 

[Eccles]

Ah well I phoned up the man at VAG a couple of years ago:- Why does VAG advise 5 years when other manufacturers talk of 60k miles or even more in some cases? VAG man: "Well it is a "recommemdation" and not mandatory, some ignorant people treat their cars quite badly and VAG have them in mind when making this recommendation." Me:- I only do 4/5k miles per annum and am not a boy racer at my age so how about 7 years? "You must understand that it is your risk, you will probably be OK with that but I can't officially give you a guarantee". 

[Expatman]

3 hours ago, Eccles said:

Ah well I phoned up the man at VAG a couple of years ago:- Why does VAG advise 5 years when other manufacturers talk of 60k miles or even more in some cases? VAG man: "Well it is a "recommemdation" and not mandatory, some ignorant people treat their cars quite badly and VAG have them in mind when making this recommendation." Me:- I only do 4/5k miles per annum and am not a boy racer at my age so how about 7 years? "You must understand that it is your risk, you will probably be OK with that but I can't officially give you a guarantee". 

You pays your money and you takes your chances. Look at it this way, if you don't change the cambelt and it breaks requiring a £5 repair, will you have the money and be happy with your gamble? If so go for it, if not, then change the cambelt!

[GABBYRUE]

1 hour ago, Expatman said:

You pays your money and you takes your chances. Look at it this way, if you don't change the cambelt and it breaks requiring a £5 repair, will you have the money and be happy with your gamble? If so go for it, if not, then change the cambelt!

Yes, thanks. We already decided to get a new belt fitted. 

[Urrell]

2 hours ago, Expatman said:

if you don't change the cambelt and it breaks requiring a £5 repair,

What garage do you go to 😀

 

[Expatman]

New engine plus heavens knows what extra! Sadly £5k doesn't go far these days.

[Urrell]

1 hour ago, Expatman said:

New engine plus heavens knows what extra! Sadly £5k doesn't go far these days.

That k you added there makes a lot of difference, don't get much for a fiver today.

[Expatman]

21 minutes ago, Urrell said:

That k you added there makes a lot of difference, don't get much for a fiver today.

Whoops, didn't notice that I had missed the k in first post - sorry all.

[J.R.]

I took my MK1 Octavia up to 500000 kms with one cambelt change, no pulleys, tensioners or waterpump, just the belt, it cost £8 so I was £3 out of pocket

[Paul52]

On 30/06/2020 at 15:35, Urrell said:

Later Yeti Cam belts including yours are changed at 5 years regardless of mileage.

 

Any advice about earlier Yetis? Mine is one of the last Classic Yetis from May 2013. I bought the 5 year warranty and to protect that it was serviced by the local main agent until 2018 and since then has had two services, one by a local independent and the last by an independent VAG specialist. No one has mentioned a need for or advised a cam belt/waterpump change so I'm not sure whether it's just not been picked up (and at seven years old ought to be booked in as precaution) or just not required or necessary for what I assume is an earlier version of the 1.2 engine. (The car's of an age now where £500 is a manageable expense, particularly as I'm not looking to replace it any time soon, but £5,000 on a new engine wouldn't make sense).

[Ootohere]

@Paul52

Is it a 2013 1.2 TSI with a timing chain that you have, (so the updated chain and tensioner) and not a nengine with a cam belt?

[Urrell]

2 hours ago, Paul52 said:

Mine is one of the last Classic Yetis from May 2013.

Yours will be a timing chain.

[Paul52]

Thanks for that chaps. One less thing to worry about !

[Guest]

On 01/07/2020 at 10:34, Eccles said:

Ah well I phoned up the man at VAG a couple of years ago:- Why does VAG advise 5 years when other manufacturers talk of 60k miles or even more in some cases? VAG man: "Well it is a "recommemdation" and not mandatory, some ignorant people treat their cars quite badly and VAG have them in mind when making this recommendation." Me:- I only do 4/5k miles per annum and am not a boy racer at my age so how about 7 years? "You must understand that it is your risk, you will probably be OK with that but I can't officially give you a guarantee". 

 

Quite like that and the advice he gave is correct. But when you talk of other manufacturers taking of 60k or more, there are also manufacturers ( other than VAG ) who say every 4yr or 5yr, but they're rarely quoted in discussions about cambelt because it doesn't fit some people's agenda. According to them, it's only VAG where confusion reigns.  

 

My tuppence worth on cambelt is yes, the belts on newer cars may ( or may not ) last the life of the car, but the cambelt service doesn't just replace the cambelt, it replaces the tensioner and pulleys too. At the end of the day if a manufacturer 'recommends' then it's up to the owner whether to take that advice or not. Personally I'd be adhering to that advice. I'd also be shopping around for prices and if I can find it cheaper, would ask if Skoda will price match.

Edited 6 July, 2020 by Guest

[kenfowler3966]

My wife Fabia some years ago was bought with 40k at 3 years old and came as part of the deal with a new cam belt. I risked 8 years with this over 39k miles before I chickened out and replaced it.

[josall]

A word of warning from my experience, last year 60 plate Yeti 1.2  SE, mileage approximately 37,000 miles.

 

Regularly serviced during three years of ownership with non Skoda dealer

 

Cam chain failure, a very expensive episode and very inconvenient

 

I will always follow recommendations  😢

 

It's your choice, follow recommendations or risk it 🤨

Edited 9 July, 2020 by josall
1.2 to indicate petrol engine

[Ootohere]

^^^ 

Regular servicing at a non VW Group approved or establishment with licensed equipment can mean that TPI's from VW / Skoda are 'not seen' by technicians / mechanics.

Even where cars from 2009-2012 were at main dealers the cars owners might not have been made aware of the potential issues with the faulty designed or manufactured OEM parts.

 

There was a known issue, as in known by VW Group with early Euro 5 1.2 TSI to late 2011 when a TPI was issued and uprated chain  tensioner kits available,

The issue with these that might fail and should be replaced if the originals.

There are vehicles still running the original parts and even ones still failing.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/435977-timing-chain

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/344005-12tsi-cam-chain-problem

 

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/344005-12tsi-vam-chain-problem/page/8/

See this link in page 8 of the link above.

 

Edited 10 July, 2020 by Roottoot