Change the timing belt at 60K - its not worth the risk. £300 is about right, but seat wont change the waterpump for that. Try going to a specialist who know what theyre doing and they should be able to change the waterpump (+ coolent) and aux drive belt for about £300 -£350. Its important to change the water pump as if it goes it will do the same damage as the timing belt going, and is a common fault.
Sounds like a good price to me. Just make sure they use a VAG timing belt kit rather than an aftermarket one, as some of them dont come with the idlers which should also be replaced.
That sounds a good price. Mine is at the main dealers today having its cam belt replaced. They quoted £296 and when I asked about the water pump they replied that they check it and replace it if necessary. They phoned a little while ago to say that there was some play in the pump, so they recommended changing it for an extra £35. Needless to say, I told them to go ahead. I could probably have got it done cheaper at an independent but I don't know any good ones locally and the dealers have lent me a 58 reg Polo and are giving the car a free health check and a wash and vacuum. I will see what sort of a job they make of it. They have always been good in the past.
That's odd. I've got my car back now, complete with its new cam belt, and a note on the invoice says that it will need changing again after 60,000 miles or four years, whichever is sooner.Dealer tells me that the cam belt is fine, and doesn't require changing until 80K
Dealer tells me that the cam belt is fine, and doesn't require changing until 80K
VAG now recommend 60k miles or 4 years. I bet the dealer wouldn't be saying that if you went there with a knackered engine after 75k miles
Remember it's not just the belt, it's the pulleys, tensioners and waterpump too which can fail.
Dont listen to them - get it changed. Or try asking them to cover any damage which would be caused if the timing belt broke
VAG now recommend 60k miles or 4 years. I bet the dealer wouldn't be saying that if you went there with a knackered engine after 75k miles
Remember it's not just the belt, it's the pulleys, tensioners and waterpump too which can fail.
Plastic coated? tensioner went on a Lupo i used to have.Had only done 40k.Luckily the belt never slipped,no damage done.Only found out later on,it was a well known fault.The VW Tech told me he'd done loads.Some hadn't been so lucky though,belt slipped and trashed the engine.
Dont listen to them - get it changed. Or try asking them to cover any damage which would be caused if the timing belt broke
It's strange to think how a thin little bit of rubber with teeth-is all that stops your engine from self destructing.What a responsibility,given the work it has to do over 60,000 miles.I've lost count over the years of the number of people who've trashed engines in various cars,all because of the belt.A lot of them didn't even know there was such a thing on their car.
got my done at 60k @ 5yrs. get it done so you dont have to drive around with the nag that it might go
price looks good, my independant was only a little cheaper who did the water pump too. theyre is some talk about plastic and metal pumps and to check which you have, but i dont really know much about that.
price looks good, my independant was only a little cheaper who did the water pump too. theyre is some talk about plastic and metal pumps and to check which you have, but i dont really know much about that.
Why the cam belt change- signs of wear or just 'at that mileage'? I ask as I didn't feel confident with my local dealer, kinda brushed over the fact that the cam belt didn't need changing which left me with the feeling - did they actually check it!!??
As I understand it, they can't actually check the belt without dismantling a large part of the engine, by which time they might just as well go on and complete the job. That is why they have a time and mileage limit. My mileage was only 40K but the car is five years old, so it is better to be safe than sorry, especially since a failure can result in a bill for £3000 for a new engine. I'm glad they changed my water pump too, as there was no labour charge for this while they were doing the belt and the cost of the pump was only £35.
I'm really tempted to get it changed despite what the dealer has said, as I do 20k per year and its 60k now. My reservation is 2 fold, 1. 'apparently' "its fine until 80k" and 2. I'd rather spend £300 on something else to be honest, or not spend it at all, but only if I "don't need it doing".
I know what you mean, as it's not like a good service or suspension work where you can feel an improvement in the car after you have spent the money. I suppose if the dealer is prepared to stand by their reassurance to you should anything go wrong, then that is fine. I wouldn't hold your breath though. It's a tricky decision for you. I am a bit envious of my missus with her Jazz which uses a cam chain. Progress doesn't always seem to be a good thing.I'm really tempted to get it changed despite what the dealer has said, as I do 20k per year and its 60k now. My reservation is 2 fold, 1. 'apparently' "its fine until 80k" and 2. I'd rather spend £300 on something else to be honest, or not spend it at all, but only if I "don't need it doing".
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I know it might sound like a good idea now to save the £300 for other things, but can you afford to pay out for a new engine if it goes? As your doing a high milage anyway, youll have to change it soon anyway, so do it now and have peace of mind it wont go. Then have fun saving up for other things like mods ect
I know it might sound like a good idea now to save the £300 for other things, but can you afford to pay out for a new engine if it goes? As your doing a high milage anyway, youll have to change it soon anyway, so do it now and have peace of mind it wont go. Then have fun saving up for other things like mods ect
It does make sense afterall I don't want
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