Just for piece of mind, what is the usual cost of a cambelt change?

I'm going to have a second variable service in Jan on my vRS, but don't fancy

I was quoted £273.92 by my dealer today for a timing belt change including tensioner, or £350 inclusive for the water pump to be changed at the same time for the later modified version.

Octavia is 60k for the belt, so why not leave it untill then?

Octavia is 60k for the belt, so why not leave it untill then?

mine will be due on the next service as it will be both 4 1/2 years old and 60k miles:( best start saving now:D

Octavia is 60k for the belt, so why not leave it untill then?

Ross - ive been advised that as my car is coming upto 4 years old (52 plate 4x4 elegance 1.8T) I should have the cam belt changed (even though it'll only have 30k on the clock) - is this correct in your opinion?

Cheers,

Lee

Personally I'd say 4 years is enough for a cambelt.

Im not sure on Skodas current stance to be 100% accurate.

Personally I'd say 4 years is enough for a cambelt.

Im not sure on Skodas current stance to be 100% accurate.

The new policy is here:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/ask-tech/timing-belt-change-interval/56532/

My car's is now overdue change at only 18,499 miles. :(

Ross/Denis - many thanks. It does seem slightly unfair that with low mileage you still need to get the belt done. I guess its due to the fact the actual belt can weaken/wear given not just mileage but time also?

Still, as mentioned on another post; a belt change is cheaper than an engine!

Cheers,

Lee

Go back to timing chains!

And so the costs mount up....I could do without all the expense at the moment... How awkward is a DIY timing belt change? I've not got a Haynes manual, are they available yet?

What's the likelihood of a '52' plate car having the later water pump already fitted? Zero to unlikely?

There is a Haynes manual for the Octavia and it does describe how to remove and replace the timing belt. The job is rated as fairly difficult, ie suitable for a competent DIY mechanic. I am assuming that my 02 plate Octavia has the earlier water pump. My ETKA gives a price of circa £55 for the later water pump, but my dealer quoted the price as £29.52 yesterday.

Bearing in mind that 3 members have now had timing belts fitted one tooth out by garages, there is clearly scope for getting it wrong!

Getting access to the timing belt can be awkward on a transverse engine. Is there an easy way to lock the crank and camshafts into position whilst taking the belt off or is a special VAG tool required?

I'll nip over to Halfords for a Haynes and to price up the other service and brake bits at lunchtime.

just got back from the main dealers and there is still a poster on their wall telling people that the skoda cambelt change is 60k or 5 years so it would appear that not all dealers are clued up on the new intervals yet.

One of the biggest problems you will find is supporting the engine as the mounting will need to be removed, easy if you have a beam with adjustable hooks on it which stands on the wing rails, not something I would like to contemplate with blocks of wood a trolley jack and an alloy sump. For access to some of the pipe clips and things it is easier to remove the drivers headlamp and indicator.

Don't forget to replace the mounting bolts, it may also be worthwhile getting a couple of spare crankshaft pulley bolts as sometimes the heads chew up, you may find that the crankshaft oil seal is beginning to weep a little as may the water pump.

As DGW says it is very easy to get the timing one tooth out - mark everything with a dab of paint before you remove the belt - if it does go on a tooth out don't panic - a synchronisation error will be logged and the light may come on, but you can re-time it from the top.

Also get some plugs for the power steering reservoir as it will need to be disconnected - you could try putting a suitable sized bolt in the pipe and a bit of hose with a bolt in it on the reservoir.

THe biggest pain is you cant get the engine mounting out, you have to work around it.

It sounds like it could be a pain in the a*se.... especially as I'd be doing it outdoors with nothing to support the engine from above. I'll have a look at it, but may do everything else and take the easy option and have the belt done by a garage.