Can anyone of you with greater knowledge regarding Skoda Octavia Cam belt replacement. I have a 5 year old mk3 with 11000 miles on the clock. It's a 2020 1.5 TSi , dsg. I've been advised by Skoda dealer to replace belt and water pump. I have read the info on this forum but seem non the wiser. I would be grateful for your advice weather it's wise to change of wait a few year, as members have had greater knowledge of running Octavia's.

thanks guys. Jeff.

Edited 14 August, 202514 Aug by jazzyjeff
Mistake.

3 hours ago, jazzyjeff said:

It's a 2020 1.5 TSi , dsg. I've been advised by Skoda dealer to replace belt and water pump.

Find a new dealer, for two reasons:

1) the advice regarding cambelt replacement was changed by Skoda UK several years ago so 5 years is no longer valid.

2) on the 1.4 & 1.5 engines the cambelt and water pump are on opposite ends of the engine so replacing them both together is not needed or advised.

@jazzyjeff You should ask that person you spoke to if they even know anything about the engine they were giving the advice about.

Maybe ask them if all 1.5 TSI ACT Approved Used cars that they sell that are 50,000 miles or more get a new cam belt fitted before it goes off to a new owner if the previous keepers never did it.

& also get a new water pump.

Edited 14 August, 202514 Aug by Ootohere

Not wanting to open a can of worms but personally I change all of mine every 5 years or 60k even though skoda recomendation has changed. Often wondered if it fails how easy it would be to claim a new engine plus labour from skoda! especially if the cars out of waranty.

Alasdair

@Alistair Have you changed a cambelt on a Euro 6 TSI?

I see you have various diesels showing.

A 1.5 TSI ACT is £850-£1,200 done by a main dealer. Without the water pump doing.

Edited 14 August, 202514 Aug by Ootohere

No nothing that modern. Have done loads over the years but mainly RWD. Last couple were FWD 1.9tdi BXE Octavia and Seat altea which was fairly straight forward. I assume the euro6 tsi is a bit more complicated. Would like to know if skoda would cover you if you stick to their reccomendation change interval and something happens though.

Alasdair

If the OP traded in to them because 'We want your car and we have a very special offer just for you on a new / pre reg car'. they would not be replacing the cambelt before selling it.

If you are sold a Skoda / SEAT / VW / Audi Approved used car and get a 2 year warranty then it is covered.

Yet buy a Skoda Extended Warranty not a 4 or 5 year extended before First Registration and it very likely is not.

Funny how their advice changed in 2023 when Dealership were getting traded in 5 year old or 50,000 mile 1.5 TSI ACT,s that people were not prepared to pay a quoted £1,000 or so for a cambelt.

The Dealerships did not want to do them their expense before sale to have a FMDSH with everything done to Guidelines, recommendations, advice, schedule or specification.

Edited 14 August, 202514 Aug by Ootohere

I assume you require special expensive skoda only tools to do it and probably a nightmare to do. Think I will stick to my old school diesels. Did wonder why they suddenly changed the interval. Easiest one I have ever done was the Volvo B230FT (940) plus being a non interference engine so even if it snapped not a major problem. I miss my RWD cars. So much easier to work on. My old garage retired due to the cost of tools plus software updates etc required to repair/service newer cars and also having to charge over £1000 for a timing belt.

Alasdair

55 minutes ago, Alasdair1 said:

I assume you require special expensive skoda only tools to do it and probably a nightmare to do.

The 1.5 ACT TSI needs a very special tool (that is expensive) and takes a lot longer than a 1.4 TSI (non-ACT) hence the much higher cost.

56 minutes ago, Alasdair1 said:

Did wonder why they suddenly changed the interval.

Because Skoda UK were out of line with all other parts of the VAG empire worldwide!

3 hours ago, PetrolDave said:

Find a new dealer, for two reasons:

1) the advice regarding cambelt replacement was changed by Skoda UK several years ago so 5 years is no longer valid.

2) on the 1.4 & 1.5 engines the cambelt and water pump are on opposite ends of the engine so replacing them both together is not needed or advised.

Yes I'm sure your correct.

Is it the general consensus that it's safe to run Skoda for more than the five years before replacement.