Where to go for Cam Belt change

[Shminkypinky]

Hi all. I have a 2015 2.0 Diesel FR DSG which is 5 years old on 46000 miles and I've been told by the main dealer I need a Cam Belt change at £580 including g water pump. I'm in Bridgnorth, Shropshire and wondered if anyone can recommend a garage to use to get this done or should I just use the main dealer.
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks

 

[BillyCool]

Hi all. I have a 2015 2.0 Diesel FR DSG which is 5 years old on 46000 miles and I've been told by the main dealer I need a Cam Belt change at £580 including g water pump. I'm in Bridgnorth, Shropshire and wondered if anyone can recommend a garage to use to get this done or should I just use the main dealer.
Any advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks

Sort of depends.

A main dealer will always charge more £££'s but, as was pointed out to me a few days ago by another forum member, you get a 5 year warranty. If anything goes wrong they cover all costs.

I use a local one man band with 25+ years experience who charges £20 per hour and not VAT registered. He's literally (hopefully) doing mine today and it should cost less than £300. That is using a Gates kit:

https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/gates/13671357

There will be other suppliers/specialists inbetween.

Can't help with anyone local I'm afraid.

 

[ZK_FR150]

It was worth it when they were doing it for around £400 odd last year however price has massively jumped up so not sure at £588 even with the 5 year warranty if it's a good deal anymore unless you want main dealer peace of mind.
I'd Google some German auto specialists around your area and check the reviews and prices with them.

If it's a big difference in price then go with the independent, if it's around less than £100 and your happy to pay then go with the main dealer.

I believe the dealer 5 year warranty covers any failures of components connected to the change of cambelt/water pump too, something else to think about.

 

[tsmiggy]

A independant VW Garage, local to me in Leicestershire, as just done my Leon 184 2015, with water pump for £403.

 

[BillyCool]

A independant VW Garage, local to me in Leicestershire, as just done my Leon 184 2015, with water pump for £403.

Which one?

 

[martin j.]

If I have mine done not by the franchise but an indie will it still be covered by the extended warranty I wonder, which reminds me i need to check my renewal notice date.

 

[RUM4MO]

If I have mine done not by the franchise but an indie will it still be covered by the extended warranty I wonder, which reminds me i need to check my renewal notice date.

I'd think that if that VAG Indie used kits bought from TPS then the parts would be covered against failure, but probably not the labour cost or any other associated damage.

 

[tsmiggy]

Which one?

Lion Garage Burbage. Hinckley.... Jason.

 

[BillyCool]

Lion Garage Burbage. Hinckley.... Jason.

Thanks - I'm Leicestershire as well so always nice to get recommendations.

 

[Speedbird]

I know it is a topic of debate, but to me this seems quite early for the dealership to be saying it needs a cambelt.

This is my first Seat, but most previous cars I've had its been 10 years / 120,000 miles or similar.

I have a 65 plate (registered November 2015) Leon 2.0 184 TDI with 51k miles. Am I due a cambelt change in November?

Can anyone supply evidence or a link from a Seat source to show this is the interval?

 

[mty12345]

I know it is a topic of debate, but to me this seems quite early for the dealership to be saying it needs a cambelt.

This is my first Seat, but most previous cars I've had its been 10 years / 120,000 miles or similar.

I have a 65 plate (registered November 2015) Leon 2.0 184 TDI with 51k miles. Am I due a cambelt change in November?

Can anyone supply evidence or a link from a Seat source to show this is the interval?

You sure that was a belt not a chain? Most belts are 5 years/60,000 miles

 

[BillyCool]

I know it is a topic of debate, but to me this seems quite early for the dealership to be saying it needs a cambelt.

This is my first Seat, but most previous cars I've had its been 10 years / 120,000 miles or similar.

I have a 65 plate (registered November 2015) Leon 2.0 184 TDI with 51k miles. Am I due a cambelt change in November?

Can anyone supply evidence or a link from a Seat source to show this is the interval?

Never heard of a cambelt interval going much beyond 5 years, although some people may stretch that if the mileage is low (like yours). Personally, it's not worth it.

This is something that I found before but can't verify the source:

https://forums.seatcupra.net/index.php?threads/leon-184-fr-tdi-cambelt-intervals.438809/

 

[ZK_FR150]

You sure that was a belt not a chain? Most belts are 5 years/60,000 miles

Seat do recommend 120k or 5 years I had mine done at 117k as it was in for a service at the time for the TDI anyway, it should tell you in the manual what the interval is.

If you don't do big miles but have got 5 years it might seem like you are getting a bit screwed with it but the belts do deteriorate over time, it may be better to have a visual inspection done and if the belt is fine then you could leave it a bit longer.
Also it's recommended to have the tensioner and water pump done at the same time so I guess they have a similar shelf life to the belt.

 

[Speedbird]

Thanks for the replies. My previous car was a Ford Kuga, the cambelt change interval was 10 years / 150k miles. We've still got a Focus in the household now, and the manual says 10 years / 125k miles. I have never had a car prior to my Leon that has had the belts changed this soon.

I do understand the importance of changing them, and the cost implications of if they go. So if Seat recommend 5 years, I will get it done.

Interestingly, I work in the aviation industry, where Vee belts and reinforced vulcanised rubber belts are used in drive systems. They aren't change as frequently either, more on condition.

 

[Mr Pig]

I thought the interval on the TDi timing belt was 130k Miles?

 

[seatgraham]

Also it's recommended to have the tensioner and water pump done at the same time so I guess they have a similar shelf life to the belt.

I'm not sure about the mk3, but on the mk2 it was recommended to change water pump and cam belt at the same time because of the labour / costs involved. It's more efficient and cost effective to change both at the same time. I believe SEAT offer a 5 year warranty on both.

 

[Dominic]

Ford have been 10 years or 120/125k for donkeys and I still can't fathom why VAG group cars are only half the time.

But hey, at least it's not an old Alfa, 3 years or 36k miles!!

 

[martin j.]

I'm not sure about the mk3, but on the mk2 it was recommended to change water pump and cam belt at the same time because of the labour / costs involved. It's more efficient and cost effective to change both at the same time. I believe SEAT offer a 5 year warranty on both.

I did the belt and pump on daughter’s 2.0 pd car last year. About £170 for parts from TPS so Oe and sub 2 hours to do the job, had the use of a ramp and a hand to do it mind. Hourly rates vary the Seat set price may be in your favour re 2 year warranty.

 

[black_sheep]

Use the link below for the workshop manuals. Open the publication ‘Maintenance’ - the intervals are in there. 140,000 miles. Virtually all VAG dealers will price match the local VAG independent specialists, with a like for like quote using genuine parts. I have owned 13 VAG cars on the bounce, across all marques, and never paid the full quoted price for a dealer service - unfortunately, the 3 of 4 MQB cars have been somewhat problematic, so the goodwill is normally agreed as a service or two.

https://forums.seatcupra.net/index.php?threads/leon-mk3-official-seat-workshop-manuals-link.442353/

 

[perryqhill]

what requires doing on the 184?

cam belt and tensioners etc
aux belt and tensioners?
water pump while you're in there?

Mines about due and I'm not exactly sure what's in there to be done, if I dont go main dealer then I need to know what I'm asking for.