Skoda recommend Cambelt & Tensioner be changed every 4yrs irrespecitve of mileage.

M

Marie

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Hi! I#ve just had my 4-year-old Skoda Fabia Vri 1.9 diesel - which has no problems whatever, low mileage and great mpg - serviced and MOT'd.

The Skoda dealer gave me a flyer at end of the process. "Skoda Auto recommend that the Cambelt and Tensioner be changed every four years irrespective of mileage".

Is this standard on all vehicles? What are possible problems if Cambelt is not changed?

I know very little about what's under the bonnet or how things work.
 
Marie said:
... Is this standard on all vehicles? ...
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The manufacturers' policy for all VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda/Ford etc vehicles fitted with these 1.9 PD engines is to change those service items at four years, irrespective of mileage. The parts concerned are not designed to last the life of the engine and have a manufacturer-defined useful life, both in distance and age terms and they need to be changed out at whatever milestone is reached first.

Marie said:
... I What are possible problems if Cambelt is not changed? ...
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The cambelt / tensioner or other related part may break and wreck the engine. As you have been notified of the need to change the parts concerned, the dealer and manufacturer will have no warranty / goodwill responsibilities to you if don't request them to be changed and any of the parts fail catastrophically.

My understanding is that the plastic-impeller water-pump and coolant are also due to be changed at the same time. Can you check your letter?
 
Yiikes........very important, then, not just an 'expensive flourish'! Thanks very much for your expertise Mathpac! I'll book a new cambelt and raise the question of the plastic-impeller water-pump and coolant change.
 
Most VAG group vehicles (Skoda, VW, Seat Audi) have timing belt intervals of 60k miles. Make sure the water pump gets changed too.
 
Marie said:
Yiikes........very important, then, not just an 'expensive flourish'! Thanks very much for your expertise Mathpac! I'll book a new cambelt and raise the question of the plastic-impeller water-pump and coolant change.
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Make sure you're only charged for a "cambelt kit", this will include all the parts needed for the change.

The coolant change interval varies depending on what sort of coolant is in your car already. I change mine every 4 years, even though it's "lifetime".

SSE
 
The water pump will most likely fail before the remewal of the second belt, it is a wise decision to fit a new one with each timing belt change. It'll save the price of stripping it all again prematurely.
 
Daithim said:
The water pump will most likely fail before the remewal of the second belt, it is a wise decision to fit a new one with each timing belt change. It'll save the price of stripping it all again prematurely.
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I second that. I recently replaced the timing belt on my old Toyota and it was obvious the previous owner had done it the cheapy way by only changing the belt and not the idlers or water pump. The bearings in the idlers and pump wouldn't have lasted until the next 60K change. On the plus side, the old belt was still in good condition, so I can use that for tying the gate shut :)
 
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