Cambelts -- A Warning

[ClodaghSkoda]

How much can I expect to pay to have my cambelt replaced on my 2001 Fabia which has 24000 miles on the clock?

I just phoned my local dealer and they quoted me a special offer of 200pounds all in and and extra 40pounds (I can't get the pounds symbol to work) to replace the water pump if done at the same time. Is that a good deal, excuse my slowness of brain, but, it's been a long day at work.

[John Tully]

Bring back the vw air cooled engines, nothing to snap there!

[AwesomeSarah]

Hi
That does not sound too bad price wise
Sarah

[Sambo281081]

Hi im quite new hear,

I have had first hand cam belt failure experience. I had a 306 GTI6 and they are the worst killers of cam belts, mine went while approching a round about in a 60mph zone, it made a right mess of the head, i still have all 16valves in a box, no one of them is straight. That came out to be around £1800 to get the head rebuilt. I had an extended warrenty on it so i did`nt have to pay for it thank god!
I found the finantial side was bad but the being without your car for 3weeks is a right pain in the ****.


I would say to anyone who is in any doubt about if their belt needs changeing, get it done, for peice of mind alone its worth it.

[Lorganz]

Hello from North Wales. I'm due a 60k service, how much approx would I expect to pay for a service inc cambelt replacement? Also, there was an ad on here other day, for servicing, where they pick up your car!! diagnose, then ring with a price for whatever work is required. Can't remember the name & cannot see the ad now, anyone know of them and has anyone used them??
Thanks.

[cheezemonkhai]

Not really the ideal place to ask the question but IIRC about £300 + service indy and £450 inc service main dealer.

HTH

[jasc1988]

The gti-6's are murder, dont you have to do them like every 30k

LOL

French shiiite

[Mase-dog]

As we're on the subject of cambelts, don't forget your waterpump. I recently had a lucky escape! my oct vrs had done 50k and a cambelt was due because of the age of the car, I had the plastic impeller pump changed for a metal one as a precautionary measure!
I had heard of failures as early as 17k!!!!
As you can see I was rather lucky not only was the pump still functioning properly but the technician successfully retrieved the debris.

Genuine cambelt kit - £79
Water pump (QH) - £30
Labour (independant garage) - £160

[cheezemonkhai]

Originally Posted by jasc1988

The gti-6's are murder, dont you have to do them like every 30k

LOL

French shiiite

Nope... Just inspect them and actually bother maintaining them. Problem is most of them never got the belts done by the original owner.

[Hammie2k]

The garage I got mine from pointed that out to me and changed it as well before I picked it up. I have an 04 VRS which had when I collected it just under 31k on the clock.

They made it clear to me that it's 4 years or 40,000 miles now not 60k.

With the milage I do it will be the 4 year thing again for my next change

[jhobhouse]

A question - I just bought a 2001 Fabia estate 1.4 8v. I am told that this has a chain rather than cambelt - one of the few/only engines in the fabia range with this. Can anyone verify this? much appreciated if you could. Does this mean it never needs replacing?

[marco-polo]

Originally Posted by ClodaghSkoda

How much can I expect to pay to have my cambelt replaced on my 2001 Fabia which has 24000 miles on the clock?

I just phoned my local dealer and they quoted me a special offer of 200pounds all in and and extra 40pounds (I can't get the pounds symbol to work) to replace the water pump if done at the same time. Is that a good deal, excuse my slowness of brain, but, it's been a long day at work.

That doesn't sound too bad but I would be prepaired to haggle.
Ask them to do the whole shebang for £200. (The timing belt kit from GSF is approx £80ish and the water pump is approx £20, so The labour seems a bit on the high side!?!
I just got the major service (40,000 mile) timing belt, all tensioners & water pump done at the main dealers on my Fabia VRS.
They started off wanting over £400, plus an extra £35 for the water pump. After plenty of haggling, I managed to get them down to a reasonable £295 all in. Be prepaired to haggle.....
A little bit of cheek goes a long way