LCR Cambelt replacement question.

[Rich23 UK]

Hi all,

This has been discussed a few times on here already but I wanted to get a fresh opinion.

I've recently purchased an 05 LCR from a garage. The car used to belong to Ben CTR who is a member on here. It has nearly 84k on the clock. It has been serviced at the correct intervals by a SEAT specialised (Rustys) and the Inspection and Maintenance Plan manual has been stamped and relevant boxes ticked on work that has been done.

I just want to see what people think about the cambelt change. It hasn't been done as far as I am aware but has been checked at the relevant stages.
In the manual it says it doesn't need replacing until 120k but checked at 60K and every 20k after that.

I've seen various threads with people saying they have had it replaced at 40k, 60k and 80k?
What do you reckon? I have a friend who runs an independant garage so I might get him to have a little look at it to check the condition from someone I know.

 

[DPJ]

4 year old car. Get it done now.

 

[robertj]

Seat revised their policy on Cambelt replacement about 14 months ago to every 60k miles or every 4 years. The general consensus at the time on here was that they were just covering their arses. Jabba serviced mine when it was 4 years old (last September) and as I had only done 32k miles they said another year wouldn't hurt. So, this year they did the Cambelt and water pump with the car now at 42k. Personally I feel reassured now it's been done even though it probably would have been ok for another year atleast. Its not too expensive a job just for that piece of mind IMO. Jabba charged £350 all in.

 

[dholdi]

I would tend to agree with Dave.
Another year may not hurt, but it would definetely hurt your wallet if it goes.
In my experience people / companies cover their arse for a reason.

 

[jase20vt]

get it changed, i had mine done resently at mids vw for £265 inc water pump, using genuine parts,

 

[Rich23 UK]

Ok, I'm defo gonna get it done then. I've just phoned my local SEAT dealer and he said it needed doing every 4 years. So pretty much what has been said already.
He quoted me £265 all-in for the belt. I asked about the water pump change and he said they only really do that at the customers request and would be an additional £45. Is it worth getting the pump changed at the same time?

Also should I go back to the place I bought it from and question them on it? I mean they said to me it didn't need doing until 120k but thats going by a service manual they have.

 

[robertj]

worth getting the water pump done at the same time. Jabba uprate it to a metal impellor one instead of the standard plastic one. I'm not sure if the dealer would do the same.

 

[Rich23 UK]

Well she is booked in on Wednesday for a belt and water pump change at a SEAT service centre here in Newton Abbot. It will give me piece of mind tbh.

I mentioned about replacing the water pump with an uprated metal one and it wasn't something they said they did as standard. They were going to source one though.
I've looked around myself and found the following:

http://www.vwspares.co.uk/leon_cooling.php

Part no: 50005131-1

Would that be ok for the Cupra R?

Cheers,
Rich

 

[JDCupraR]

I'm in the same boat, my 55 plate leon cupra R is on 50k miles but has just turned 4 years old, so need to get the cambelt done.

Do VAG do a genuine metal impeller water pump? As I normally use TPS for my parts.

 

[Rich23 UK]

I'm in the same boat, my 55 plate leon cupra R is on 50k miles but has just turned 4 years old, so need to get the cambelt done.

Do VAG do a genuine metal impeller water pump? As I normally use TPS for my parts.

The SEAT dealer said they didn't. The VW garage I rang who quoted me £420 did do an uprated pump. Hopefully the SEAT dealer will source one. If not I'll get it myself and give it to them to fit.

 

[Rich23 UK]

http://www.vwspares.co.uk/leon_cooling.php

Just waiting to here back whether it would be ok for the Cupra R.

 

[JDCupraR]

I think I'll get TPS to price me up the cambelt kit, if the water pump on vwspares is ok then for £40 inc. delivery seems stupid not to change it. No point putting standard parts back on if similarly priced uprated parts are available.

 

[EmDee]

I've heard that the metal impellor lasts longer, but when it does go it takes everything with it. Apparently they're plastic for a reason, if they go you can fish it out no harm done - not so with metal.
Anyone else have any input on this? I'm not sure if I should do it or not since everyone tells you something different - the general forum concensus seems to be to go with the metal one.

 

[JDCupraR]

Apparently they're plastic for a reason, if they go you can fish it out no harm done - not so with metal.

I see your point, if a metal impeller fails it could send more swarf round the cooling system.

 

[vwbassett]

Id go metal and stick to changing it every 40k as the plastic falls apart very quickly.

 

[Rich23 UK]

It makes sense to go metal. With temperatures at 90+ it's a bit of a no brainer.

But I see the point about if it breaks it will send metal into to cooling system but surely it's less likely to break in the first place if it's made of stronger material.
But nothing is 100% reliable I suppose.

The VW garage even said some of them were even made of nylon! but not sure how true that is.

 

[Steely]

just to add my 2p worth,

a 6 year old cambelt with 38k on the clock, showing deterioration already, taken off my lc 3 months back,

not worth risking it matey, Fitted the metal impeller waterpump too, i honestly cant see the rotor failing either, plastic tends to deteriorate with constant temp changes, metal not so much,

 

[LEE69]

http://www.vwspares.co.uk/leon_cooling.php

Just waiting to here back whether it would be ok for the Cupra R.

It's the same cambelt kit and pump for the all the 1.8 Cupra turbo i thought.

 

[stucupra r]

just to add my 2p worth,

a 6 year old cambelt with 38k on the clock, showing deterioration already, taken off my lc 3 months back,

not worth risking it matey, Fitted the metal impeller waterpump too, i honestly cant see the rotor failing either, plastic tends to deteriorate with constant temp changes, metal not so much,

where did you get your done as mine needs doing, and i am from doncaster aswell also how much did you pay?

 

[Steely]

Did it myself mate, belt, tensioners, pump and coolant, 5-6 hours and about 100 quid all in, if you feel confident in your own ability i'd have a go at it, the 20vt lump is a very easy lump to work on in comparison to many,

But if your not sure personally i'd get some one reputable to do it for you,