That's my 2020 1.5 TSI booked in for the timing belt replacement.

 

£920 at Henry's Skoda Glasgow if anyone is wondering about the cost.

 

Car is on 109k but it's a taxi so I'm not waiting until 140k even though the service bloke said they've never heard of any snapping prematurely.

 

 

Good, makes sense.

 

What has the 140,000 miles to do with things though? 

That is not a mileage Skoda changed to last July when they changed their Advice, Recommendation or Guidelines. 

 

The guy on the service desk might not have heard of issues with tensioners either.   

We do not know him or who he listens to, or how closely he follows stuff in the VW Group or outwith his work place. 

17 minutes ago, Rooted said:

The guy on the service desk might not have heard of issues with tensioners either.  

Not VAG but... when I had the timing belt replaced on a Vauxhall 1.6 16V engine the dealer didn't replace the tensioner. One week later the tensioner failed causing the timing to massively change and 12 valves hit the pistons requiring a new head, 16 new valves and 4 new pistons - glad I had taken out an extended Vauxhall warranty.

Cam Belt Guidance change (1).pdf

£920 is an OK price on a 1.5 TSI ACT for the time / labour and Original Parts used and 2 year warranty including labour when at an Approved Repairer.

(That does not include a water pump.)

 

Cheaper prices elsewhere might not be OEM parts or places quoting on a 1.5 TSI ACT and just on a 1.5 TSI. 

Some might not only not have 'All the gear' but also 'No idea'. 

Edited 29 March, 20242 yr by Rooted

1 hour ago, Rooted said:

£920 is an OK price on a 1.5 TSI ACT for the time / labour and Original Parts used and 2 year warranty including labour when at an Approved Repairer.

(That does not include a water pump.)

 

Cheaper prices elsewhere might not be OEM parts or places quoting on a 1.5 TSI ACT and just on a 1.5 TSI. 

Some might not only not have 'All the gear' but also 'No idea'. 

Exactly. Hence why I have just bitten the bullet and went to the dealer. Peace of mind with the warranty. There was a couple of other places offering it for between £650 and £850 and I was tempted but at least with Skoda there will be comeback and capacity to repair any damage and they will use the correct OEM parts.

 

I will also be making sure the complete kit is fitted including all tensioners.

Edit - Ignore my post folks, saw the post above by ‘Rooted’ that answers my question. Thanks a ton! 🙂

Earlier post:
FYI folks, I have just been told by my Skoda dealer in the UK that the 5 year replacement guidance for the timing belt has changed now and it’s now just on a mileage of 120,000 miles. Is this the general advice from all dealers?

Edited 6 April, 20242 yr by Grc

You would have to ask a few dealers, Skoda car dealers, drug dealers , casino croupiers etc.

 

The Screen shot was for Skoda Dealerships was it not? 

On 06/04/2024 at 12:36, Grc said:

Edit - Ignore my post folks, saw the post above by ‘Rooted’ that answers my question. Thanks a ton! 🙂

Earlier post:
FYI folks, I have just been told by my Skoda dealer in the UK that the 5 year replacement guidance for the timing belt has changed now and it’s now just on a mileage of 120,000 miles. Is this the general advice from all dealers?

As useful as replying after 19 months isn't, I rang Skoda up last Feb and they said:

"Your vehicle is equipped with the lifetime component (timing belt), which means it is recommended to be replaced when you experience issues with it."

FWIW, mine is a 2020 1.5 TSI Octavia.

When I asked him what "issues" are, he said:

"when there's issues with your timing belt you will hear unsual noise when driving, warning light will come on a dashboard,visible wear during service."

The person I spoke to was called Vuyani.

^^^ Worth a message to the Service Centre / Branch Manager to make them aware more staff training required.

The belt and tensioner bearings are of the same quality as on the 2.0 tdi engines and the reason why the timing belt was initially replaced on the 1.5 tsi at 50,000 was because the engineers believed that by that mileage the timing belt would be out of alignment +/- 1.0° so it would need to be readjusted, and since you have to remove everything to adjust it anyway, the belt is also replaced. After 3-4 years they realized that the ACT system worked proprly at 50,000 or 100,000, then they realized that adjustment was unnecessary.

and then they logically returned the interval to the same as for all their engines, because I have never heard or seen a belt break at TDI, TSI on 100,000-150,000, but only if it is not replaced at more than 250,000. There are also alternative tools for adjusting the timing belt.

this tool is about 200€

Edited 10 November, 202510 Nov by imart143

But, in the UK for many many years, Skoda, SEAT, Audi & VW have had it as recommended at 5 years / 50,000 in the 'Not Dust Rich Country' for all the engines with belts.

This was the goose that laid the Golden Egg. There are Main Dealers Service Desk Staff that will still say this is the Schedule, Recommendation, Specification.

It seems logical to me that the belt wears out more in conditions where there is sand and dust in the air, and not the other way around.

But the UK had unique advice, recommendations From VW Group UK & Main Dealerships.. A not 'Dust Rich Country'.

The VW Group in UK,s Customer Services contractor / call handlers are really next to useless,

Edited 10 November, 202510 Nov by Evolution13

dust rich countries change timing belt on 120000 kms, non dust, normal countries - lifetime, they suppose that 1.5 tsi will not live long enough to reach 200000 kms like diesels, nonsense.

That was the pre June 2023 Service Sheet i posted.

post newer one.

12 hours ago, Mivart said:

As useful as replying after 19 months isn't, I rang Skoda up last Feb and they said:

"Your vehicle is equipped with the lifetime component (timing belt), which means it is recommended to be replaced when you experience issues with it."

FWIW, mine is a 2020 1.5 TSI Octavia.

When I asked him what "issues" are, he said:

"when there's issues with your timing belt you will hear unsual noise when driving, warning light will come on a dashboard,visible wear during service."

The person I spoke to was called Vuyani.

Next time you visit your Stealer, politely ask Vuyani to put that advice in writing. Then show it to the MD.

Edited 10 November, 202510 Nov by Warrior193
correction

8 hours ago, Warrior193 said:

Next time you visit your Stealer, politely ask Vuyani to put that advice in writing. Then show it to the MD.

It was an online chat with Skoda UK customer services. Not sure why I said "I rang Skoda up..."; my mistake. Anyhow, I PDF'd the downloaded chat session, so I do have that in writing. He checked my VIN before providing that advice.

An online chat with someone anyplace in the world who might have no mechanical engineering training of any kind.

Once AI is on the job lets hope they are not learning from call handlers previous discussions.

I'm trying to get a sense of your ( @Evolution13 ) view on this. Is it that timing belts on a 2020 1.5 TSI should be changed at 50,000 miles and that any advice to the contrary should be ignored, no matter how apparently official that advice is? Or is it just to have a bit of fun having a sarky pop at Skoda UK and/or their dealerships? I'm not a fan of their dealerships myself, so some sympathies there.

It would be good to get your definitive view on it and evidence thereof. I'm assuming you've got something that states, or strongly implies "Ignore all recent advice suggesting that timing belts on a 2020 1.5 TSI are deemed to be 'lifetime devices' ".

Needless to say, the fault is with Skoda; in my vehicle manual, there is no mention of timing belts, or their maintenance schedule. After all, why should customers know important facts about the second largest purchase they're likely to make?

The 5 year / 50,000 miles Cambelt Change in the UK with a TSI was crazy, even with a ACT or COD.

VW Group put out the Press Release / TPI in June 2023.

Listen to them or make up your own mind how long you want to keep the Cambelt fitted.

As much as for 150,000 miles / 15 years if you want.

£850-£1,200 is a lot of money to spend out. But if it is peace of mind, then go ahead.

Edited 10 November, 202510 Nov by Evolution13

prolonged interval is for all 1.5 tsi engines, no matter which type or year, from 2017 till today.

change it when you will change on any other petrol car. 100-150000 kms is my period, so i will change it then.

i told you tehnically why it was 50000 kms. not even one belt dyes that soon.

it was connected to possible off timing, so maybe timing should be corrected.

but its all trash.

car makers dont test new engines in real environments, but send them to sale asap.

testing engine should be done for every engine, at least 1 year driving in all conditions to 100-150000kms.

i think Kia and Hyundai do this. then know what to expect from engine.

otherwise, we, customers are test drivers and have to pay to be that.

Edited 11 November, 202511 Nov by imart143