vRS four year service cost - am I being done?

[Avon Ring Road]

As a postscript - went with Streets in the end as I ran out of time to sort out another option. Total cost £695 - they added a brake fluid service on top, saying this had to be done every two years but wan't included in the cost of a four-year service. Will check out some of the alternative suggestions made here in future.

Cheers.

[HotVRs]

I was told by VW, that VW UK had changed the recommendation to 4 years max for a cambelt, due to the number of faillures found occuring in the vehicles fifth year. I guess the VAG group within the UK will recommend the same.

[DGW]

I was told by VW, that VW UK had changed the recommendation to 4 years max for a cambelt, due to the number of faillures found occuring in the vehicles fifth year. I guess the VAG group within the UK will recommend the same.

They did in 2006. The change was been announced to Skoda dealers in a Technical Bulletin dated 19 May 2006. See the thread below:

http://briskoda.net/forums/ask-tech/timing-belt-change-interval/56532/

[italiastar]

now here is one to get your heads around.

just replaced my front discs and new pads all round (which was much needed)

my 4 year service is april along with mot will have done less than 53k, have taken it to two places who have downloaded the service schedules for my april 04 vrs and both have stated that belt does not need doing until 80k, they have shown me the download on the pc along with updates etc and have stated that this is correct, and one of them is a very close family friend who owns an a4 and a passat both pd tdi's.

i was shocked and asked them both to check but they have assured me that now there is no age just 80k for belt change.

i can not figure it out, one is VAG specialist and one is a specialist overall.

any ideas???

I asked a VW main dealer in Italy about servicing and cambelt change for my Alhambra and they said that it wouldn't need to be done until at least 90,000 Km - no age limit. He added that even at 90K they would not do it unless it was required as the condition was checked during every service - interestingly, I was told exactly the same in the UK when we had a MK 3 golf about 7 years ago.

[Captain Sisko]

Only done 20k miles in 4 years? It might be worth getting the belt changed espec if its been driven in stop start traffic all the time.

Is it possible to check the belt condition yourself?

If you know a decent mechanic then they can do this for good prices.

Beter to change the campbelt than have the belt fail then snap causing damage to the engine.

[DRJ]

Just been quoted £420 for a cambelt change by Bamfords of Gloucester...

[HotVRs]

vRS Cam belt, tensioner, water pump, alternator belt was done for £360 (or thereabouts) at Awesome. Parkside Skoda quoted about the same.

[glanzav_mr2]

yea get it done at a local garge then just go along to the dealer with ur fists up and demamd a stamp i find that works lol

[sifelicia]

Mate there is supposed to be a VAG/skoda independant speciallist in chippenham,Wilts. Not to far from you.

I will be honest i haven't used them or anything but i will be giving them a ring aswell.

But to be honest i will probably take mine for a service at our very own Lummox at unit 18, and let the wife loose in MK afterwoods:eek:

[DRJ]

Just been quoted £420 for a cambelt change by Bamfords of Gloucester...

I rang the next closest dealer today and they quoted £292.42 - and the MOT's only £40 instead of full price too - Bamford couldn't go more than a £20 discount on the £420 so I've booked it in at the cheaper place and I'll see how I get on.

People often seem to say do the water pump at the same time - is it really necessary? - neither dealer has suggested it.

[fordfan]

The water pump is optional, but the consequences of its failure are catastrophic and very expensive. The dealer certainly won't be able to guarantee that it will last for another 4 years or 60000 miles and if it fails and shreds the belt you won't be too happy. The extra labour involved is minimal, as its replacement requires that the cam belt is removed and it would be an ideal time for a coolant change, I think that the coolant should be changed every 5 years.