Does anyone know approximate cost of the timing belt and water pump kits for a mk4 Skoda Octavia 1.5 sel e-tec dsg , please .

My car has just over 90000 miles and is 4 1/2 years old and I'm going to have these parts replaced very soon hopefully.

Hello, welcome to the forum.

Are you aware that Skoda no longer mandate 5-year cambelt change?

If you have a TSI, are you aware that it is not necessary to replace water pump when replacing the cambelt?

Thank you for replying . Yes I have read up on it and got info from this forum . My mechanic told me that the water pump would have to be removed to set the timing so its best to change it for a new one at same time . He also quoted £850 + vat to buy and fit them and I was wondering if this price is a fair one .

That is a lot cheaper than the quotes I have seen on here for the 1.5. Critical, check that he can guarantee he has the correct locking tools for the 1.5 - it requires different (and quite expensive) tools than the ones required for the 1.4!

Thank you kindly once again . I will check this with him . I plan on keeping the car for as long as I can do it will be worth it for peace of mind . It's the Sel e-tec saloon and really like it a lot .

53 minutes ago, Dishoo said:

My mechanic told me that the water pump would have to be removed to set the timing

He needs to check again, the 1.5 is an EA211 engine type where the water pump is on the opposite end of the engine to the timing belt.

I would suggest extreme caution if your mechanic is not familiar with your engine type - I did point out in my first reply to you that a cambelt change on your engine type does not impinge on the water pump.

It is apparently extremely easy to get the valve timing wrongly set on the EA211 1.5!

4 hours ago, Dishoo said:

My mechanic told me that the water pump would have to be removed to set the timing so its best to change it for a new one at same time .

Regardless of the fact that at your mileage and age it doesn't need doing what your mechanic has told you would make me run a mile and ensure he never got near my vehicle. It is TOTALLY INCORRECT!

Thank you very much . I've just cancelled the job with my mechanic. Can I ask you when do you think the timing belt might need replaced in my case ? I can't seem to find a definite answer and was erring on the side of caution . I much appreciate your help .

AFAIK, in a 'non-dusty' environment (which includes UK) the change interval is somewhere around 120 to 140K miles - with no maximum time period stated.

I believe that VAG state the belt is 'for engine life' - but of course 'life' could simply be up to the point where the belt fails!

Make no mistake, cambelt failure can be catastrophic for the engine, and the belt should be inspected at regular intervals - but it never required replacement at the intervals that Skoda UK were stating two years ago.

Previously, Skoda UK, contrary to all other VAG manufacturers, were stating 5 years.

As above there is no time or mileage interval specified in the workshop manual only an inspection regime as it's deemed as a fitted for life part. Current anecdotal suggestions seems to indicate 10 years or 240,000kms might be about when it might be worth changing it but as yet I don't recall seeing any evidence online of failures for it or it's predecessor the 1.4tsi act at any age or mileage.

Edited 10 January10 Jan by skomaz

I'd suggest that you have the belt and tensioner carefully checked for condition during your next service.

If, purely for peace of mind, you do decide to have the belt and tensioner replaced early, make very sure that the place you contract to do the work knows exactly what they are dealing with!

I have seen other owners quoting prices for the 1.5TSI being around £1200 - with the 1.4TSI at around £700 to 800.

Edited 10 January10 Jan by Warrior193
typo

This is great info for me thank you I will hold off and get a belt check arranged for next service . 👍