Hey, it's time for me to drain my bank balance with a 4yr service, cambelt change, MOT and Insurance. Possibly a new front ARB too.

Called Skoda up to get a quote for the cambelt/tensioner work, and suggested that the water pump should be done too and they're insisting it's not necessary and they've not heard of a problem. Thing is, if I tell them to replace it, will it be one with a metal impellor? I assume they'd use VAG parts? Or should I be specifically asking for a metal one even though they seem to think nothing's wrong? And if so I guess I'd need to source it myself?

Also, how much extra work is the pump with the cambelt off? Will they sting me for much more labour? I'm already crying at my bank manager this month.

Hi Mate

I think it is about an extra half hour to do the water pump at the same time

The price of the water pump is approx £30.00 + VAT

But if you go to a dealer they will supply the plastic one

I had it done on mine with the metal impella`d one

Worth doing IMHO

Sarah

So that means I need to source a metal one before I can get the work done really, doesn't it?

Bah, beginning to hate this car.

I may be sending you a PM with a large list of things you can charge me much cash for in a sec, see how cheap you are

I was told exactly the same thing when I had mine done - the service guy said it had been inspected and there was nothing wrong, and that he'd never heard of of a car with my engine code having its water pump go. He went on to say they didn't even stock the part, and asked if I was asking for it to be done because of something I'd read on here! When pushed, he asked if maybe I was getting confused with the 1.8T water pumps. Anyway, the car was in for 2 days, so they ordered and fitted the part under protest.

Thing is, I know there was a design change on the pump impellers which involved the blades being 'stapled' to the shaft rather than bonded AIUI, and this is supposedly more robust. As for whether they're only used on more-recent PD engines, and not on the 1.8T, I don't know. Either way, the OEM one lasted 'til the 60k service, and so I'm happy to have another OEM one in for another 60.

In a similar vein, AFAIK, GSF's suppliers have stopped making the metal impeller too, in which case any metal ones will be remainder stock. Not that that's a bad thing, but it's possible that the suppliers don't think it's necessary to make them from metal anymore either...

i've only seen 1 impeller let go on a PD engine , and that was at 200k miles

i'm doing just the belt on mine , only done 52k miles , but hard miles at times

belt kit is £88 plus VAT at Skoda dealer