So recently picked up a 2002 Skoda Octavia VRS and will be doing the timing belt and water pump in the next couple weeks as I have no history of it being done. I have a few questions regarding it all as this the first 1.8T I have worked on. At the same time as doing the timing belt, is there any other preventative maintenance I should be doing at the same time? I know these have a camshaft chain and tensioner but do these have their own service interval like the timing belts? I have already done a full service and done a compression check which was around 175-180 PSI across all four cylinders. The car runs really well, no unnerving sounds or rattles from the engine and for 148k miles it seems quite nippy! The only issue I have had so far is the previous owner removed the secondary air pump and it throws the EML light on for "Secondary air injection system P0411 - 35-00 - Incorrect flow detected". Is this something that can be mapped out with VCDS? Or would it just be easier to find the whole system second hand and refit it all? 

 

4 hours ago, KB3 said:

148k miles

I'd change the entire belt kit, and the water pump. Neither the belt tensioner nor the water pump usually survives that mileage, and you need to change the belt to change either of them...

Edited 16 October, 20232 yr by Paws4Thot

On 15/10/2023 at 21:27, KB3 said:

Is there any other preventative maintenance I should be doing at the same time?

 

I know these have a camshaft chain and tensioner but do these have their own service interval like the timing belts?

 

Is this something that can be mapped out with VCDS? Or would it just be easier to find the whole system second hand and refit it all? 

Welcome to mk1 ownership!

 

Only other thing to do while doing the cambelt kit + water pump would be the aux belt.

 

I don't know of there being another interval for the chain. Mine is on 227k and hasn't had any work done on the chain. I expect they're usually OK for the life of the engine/car as long as it's not been neglected.

 

Yes I think the SAI can be mapped out.

On 23/10/2023 at 08:09, petrolbloke said:

Welcome to mk1 ownership!

 

Only other thing to do while doing the cambelt kit + water pump would be the aux belt.

 

I don't know of there being another interval for the chain. Mine is on 227k and hasn't had any work done on the chain. I expect they're usually OK for the life of the engine/car as long as it's not been neglected.

 

Yes I think the SAI can be mapped out.

 

I did think of doing the aux belt and tensioner but to be honest they looked fine upon removal. Might be something I'll keep an eye on in the future! 

 

That's reassuring to know about the chain, but will defiantly be keeping on top of the servicing as the service history is a bit patchy.

 

I will have to look into deleting the SAI then, hopefully that's easier then trying to source all of the air pump lines and the pump itself!

 

Thank you!

Timing belt, water pump, tensioner and roller bearing changed yesterday! Fairly straight forward apart from the engine mount bracket that did not want to come out initially but with a bit of struggling it did eventually come out.

 

Good thing it was changed, as the water pump was leaking and the belt was starting to perish.

 

All torqued up, tensioned, coolant changed and vacuum bled ready to be driven.

 

 

 

2 hours ago, KB3 said:

Good thing it was changed, as the water pump was leaking

I did say it probably needed changed, sight unseen...

Lucky lucky guy. 

I had my timing belt kit done about 20 thou miles ago and it snapped at80mph. Had her 12 yrs absolutely gutted cause i just knpw the engine is gubbed so now looking for a new engine. 

 

On 29/10/2023 at 18:19, KB3 said:

Timing belt, water pump, tensioner and roller bearing changed yesterday! Fairly straight forward apart from the engine mount bracket that did not want to come out initially but with a bit of struggling it did eventually come out.

 

Good thing it was changed, as the water pump was leaking and the belt was starting to perish.

 

All torqued up, tensioned, coolant changed and vacuum bled ready to be driven.

 

 

 

 

Did you need any timing tools or was it straight forward, going to be doing mine in the next few weeks... thanks 

On 12/11/2023 at 17:00, OctaviaVRs2005 said:

 

Did you need any timing tools or was it straight forward, going to be doing mine in the next few weeks... thanks 

 

I didn't have to use any timing tools. I just marked everything with a paint pen at TDC and carefully changed it. Honestly the hardest part of it all was the engine mount bracket. I spent forever trying to get that out. Had to jack the engine right up and pull it forward while someone else removed it.

6 hours ago, KB3 said:

 

I didn't have to use any timing tools. I just marked everything with a paint pen at TDC and carefully changed it. Honestly the hardest part of it all was the engine mount bracket. I spent forever trying to get that out. Had to jack the engine right up and pull it forward while someone else removed it.

Thanks for the reply 👍  looking at it I can see what you mean, guess the wife is going to have to get involved then 😆 thanks again.