My 2016 Fabia has just clocked up 77000 miles and looking through the past service receipts (Skoda specialist, not a main dealer) I can't see that the cambelt has not been changed yet - which seems fine from what I've read about servicing the Fabia. 

 

This year's service is due in a few weeks and I'm thinking the belt might be best changed about now.  However,  I'm wondering if this addition task to the annual service is something that any local competent garage might be able to do, instead of me driving further, and having to spend the day waiting, at my trusted indy Skoda I've been using for 20 years now with all of my Skodas.  The alternative local garage I'm thinking of is in the next village, so I can easily get a lift home and get picked up by them later. 

 

While I really rate my indy Skoda dealer, it has always meant my having to take an hour to drive there, and kill time walking the streets of the local town until they complete the job. Now I'm getting on a bit, such wandering around and window shopping is a little more chanllenging, espcially if it's raining !

 

So basically -  is the local garage likely to be readily able to do the belt too? Nothing too specilaist regarding the Fabia?

 

Thanks in adavance for all helpful replies.

If what has been written in a few VW Group forums is true, then it sounds a lot like it would be a good plan to suffer the inconvenience and time wasting, and get it booked into either a proper VW Group dealership, that can confirm that it has the correct kit to carry out this job on this engine, or find a proper VW Group Indie that can confirm that they have the kit that VW Group claims is needed or maybe even some aftermarket equivalent kit, I think that Laser Tools now supplies a kit for EA211 engine belt changing - this is certainly what I plan to do when the mileage of my wife's 2015 Polo gets "on a bit" currently only at 51,000miles.

 

There is some chatter that it is only the 1.0TSI etc that has variable cam timing on both cams that can end up in a less than satisfactory state after the belt has been replaced - and I certainly do not want my wife's car to end up like that as it performs very well right now!

 

Edit:- sorry, I've deleted that "Edit" as it was meant for another posting I was replying to when I got an alert to @classic's responds to this posting!

Edited 20 September, 20241 yr by rum4mo

+1 to what run4mo says above. If you’re going to get it done then take it somewhere that knows what they’re doing. Get the bus/train/lift home and leave it with them it’s not a quick job. If it was mine, I wouldn’t get it done yet but I understand reasons why for peace of mind you’re thinking of replacing it.

Edited 20 September, 20241 yr by classic

Owners choice on when to do.

VW Group could not care less once cars / engines are out of the Manufacturers Warranty & T&C,s.

ETA: just beaten to it! 😄

 

Bear in mind July(?) last year VWSkoda for UK finally came in line with Europe and admitted to the the belt change at 15yrs/180k-miles(?).  Too late for us as the robbing bastards took £429 off of us, I wished I'd researched the subject more then, such is life.

 

Give the whole belt a good visual check.  Bear in mind things like tensioners and pullies can have issues or need replacement, see this post for good details of the ease of belt inspection. - https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/485097-cambelt-change/page/2/#comment-5567999

 

Edited 22 September, 20241 yr by nta16
ETA: 180k-miles