Water pump leaking - good offer to replace cam belt too!

[MickLang]

Or so I thought. I dropped it off at the dealership and walked home. When I got home, the dealer's rep called and said that he didn't have the cam belt in stock. Not to worry-- the mechanic says it's good for the life of the engine!

 

My car is a oh-so-babied, Superb mk3.

 

What? I told him to replace it anyways as it was part of the package. He said that if they needed to order one, they'd charge me additional money for 'labour' to order one. What again? I told him I wanted to speak to a manager! I told him this repair had been on the books for three weeks! They damn well better have parts!  He back-pedaled and five minutes later said they located one. All is well.

 

I picked up the car and when I popped the hood, saw the new water pump... but there was still undisturbed dust on the opposite side where the cam belt lives. I removed the cover and was face-to-face with my 70+k cam belt!

I took pictures and emailed the manager. They've since apologized and are returning 200 quid, but they still say that you don't replace the cam belt as it's 'good for the life' of the engine-- or whatever that means. Can anyone confirm please?

 

[Gizmo]

Get it in writing from them and explain the car WILL be going back for a FOC replacement engine when it fails!

 

https://az749841.vo.msecnd.net/sitesengb/alv1/d300a459-5ef6-433f-a49f-65f3638efaa1/national-price-servicing-min.63862747c3e6286ede19bc446a023030.pdf 

 

[Phil-E]

That's shocking that they charged you for a cambelt change but didn't do it!

 

Which engine is it?

[MickLang]

I have the 1.4L TSI-- 150bhp. I know the water pump is on the opposite side of the cam belt-- the pump is run off the balance shaft (apparently).

 

The service manager explained (during his lengthy apology) that in former engines, water pumps could leak around the cam belt, causing early failure due to it being effected by the chemicals of the fluid. 

 

I would like to know if you truly *never* need to replace the cam belt though. Seems fishy to me.

[DB72]

I'd say that if they can't show you in writing anywhere that the belt is good for the life of the engine then you should be reporting them to trading standards, because if they're trying this on with you, they will also be doing it to others who aren't as sharp.  Or maybe the will claim it's good for the life of the engine because one second after the belt snaps, the engine is trashed. 

[GAG]

Have a look at this link

 

https://www.whitedovegroup.co.uk/skoda/offers/cambelt-change/3010/offerdetail.aspx#:~:text=Reviews-,Cambelt Change,could cause a costly repair.

 

ŠKODA UK recommends that all timing belts are replaced at 4 year intervals. If your car has not had its timing belt replaced at the correct interval this could cause a costly repair.

A cambelt failure causes major internal damage to your engine requiring the cylinder head to be removed and bent valves replaced.

The cost of a cambelt replacement is £429.00 Inc VAT. 

We've also got an excellent offer on Cambelt + Waterpump of £529 inc VAT.

[Phil-E]

I've also seen mention of 5 years on the 1.5 TSI. Or 120,000km.

[Ootohere]

@GAG

Interesting website from a Skoda Dealership / authorised repairer.

 

Skoda UK says all sorts of things, be that Customer Services / Communications Managers or whoever they refer the question to.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/482371-timing-belt

 

[Gaz]

That is truly shocking.

 

Good for the life of the engine is presumably meaningless rhetoric.  Once the cambelt lets go, the life of the engine is over, viz it doesn't then need a cambelt.  That's okay then 🙄

 

Eejits 😠

 

Gaz

[GAG]

If there is any doubt why don't you email or phone Skoda Customer Services and ask them directly what is recommended.  

[drewellis]

Not sure about other engines but on the 220 the water pump has nothing to do with the cambelt so that’s a great deal... 
 

I had my water pump replaced by a VAG specialist as it’s made of plastic and often cracks causing leaks that are very hard to find.

 

I can’t remember how much I paid but it was in the region of £700

 

[Phil-E]

It's also the case on the older 1.4 TSI. The water pump isn't driven from the cambelt.