When to change a timing belt on Octavia vRS TDi

[woofy]

bugger, Bayford seemded to be ok from all other accounts. Could try Richmond and tell them your experiences to see if they will help.

[pwcar]

Yeas, I had probably four services donew by Batford before they disappeared, apart from the scratch issue they were the best of an ordinary lot so far. I so wish Burwin VW in Ferntree Gully would get their Skoda delaership.

---------- Post added at 11:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:09 PM ----------

Richmond are ridiculous, it seems you have to book a service months ahead if you need a loan vehicle (which I do). I've tried three times to organise a service there and each time it is so far in the future it's not practical.

[Mysticality]

New place in Doncaster, looked like they were mainly a Saab dealer.

Kinda says it all, amirite? =p

[woofy]

Yeas, I had probably four services donew by Batford before they disappeared, apart from the scratch issue they were the best of an ordinary lot so far. I so wish Burwin VW in Ferntree Gully would get their Skoda delaership.

---------- Post added at 11:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:09 PM ----------

Richmond are ridiculous, it seems you have to book a service months ahead if you need a loan vehicle (which I do). I've tried three times to organise a service there and each time it is so far in the future it's not practical.

Probably explains why they increased the cost of a minimum $100 or more, they seem to have scored Bayfords clientel without the premises to cope...

[wfdTamar]

Just for the record - I bought a genuine Skoda timing belt kit (belt, tension pulley, idler pulley & nuts) off ebay for $148 (a TDI engine), plus $47 for tools. Also there's a few bolts that are supposed to be renewed when you take them off (for example for the crank pulley & engine mount).

Takes a day to change. Got it off now at 68,000kms/4 years for another reason and thought at that price I might as well do it now rather than pull it all off again in 3 years.

[BluChris]

"Takes a day to change". There's the issue - even assuming dealers might be a bit quicker, with the labour rates the cost adds up.

[Umai Naa!!]

3.5hrs is what the dealer is meant to allow, according to the flat-rate labour documents.

Maybe allow an extra half an hour if you're doing the water pump.

[BluChris]

So why is Woofy being quoted $1,200 if according to the above posts it should be more like about $500 labour + $200 parts? Genuine issues with the realistic time taken to do the job, allowing for extra parts like the water pump or massive price gouging?

[Umai Naa!!]

It's fairly common for dealers and independants to charge a flat rate for a timing belt.

[VRS-Vic]

Was at the dealer today - confirmed, 7 years/105,000 km (at least for the diesel, not sure about petrol).

TDI RS due for 105,000kms
Called Richmond Skoda - spoke with one guy who quoted minor service and told me i have a chain, no belt.

Called VW dealer who confirmed it needs a belt and they change water pump at same time to save costs.

Called Skoda head office who confirmed belt due at 105,000/7 years and that Skoda Richmond at referring to the "old schedule"

Called Skoda Richmond back, told them what Skoda head office said. They then got back to me and confirmed that it does need a belt. This is also after they forgot to change my DSG oil at 60,000kms because they thought it was a 7 speed.

Can't say i'm very impressed with Richmond Skoda any more.

[woofy]

Send a complaint into Richmond Skoda, I did and they were all over me. I had to call Skoda HQ repeatedly last year about whether mine needed doing, turned out it didn't but Richmond stuffed up.

They don't check what exact model things are properly especially Vito. There are several TDis so he could be referring to the newer engine or the older one. The best part is that Skoda HQ won't call the dealer and correct them, they make you do it.

[brad]

I'd stay well away. They sound hopeless

[Mysticality]

I would have had my timing belt done at the 120,000km service had I been able to afford the extra $895 (or there abouts) at the time, now having the 135,000km service done at an independant including timing belt and a new water pump for $1,250.

Is it really 105,000km for the timing belt service?... Ouch. Oh well, good to know it can go the extra 30,000 if it has to!

(I had the 120,000km service in mid-nov, so it hasn't been that long. Car is 2y/o)

[woofy]

It's 105k/7yrs if it has a belt, lifetime for a timing chain I thought. No idea what lifetime is though. Timing chains used to be around 100k at one stage. I would always get the pump done at the same time as they are bound to go later on. 130k was probably pushing it that you didn't have it fly apart although the mechanic would be able to say what state it was in.

[MountainBikeMike]

When I was buying the car we looked everywhere online and came to the conclusion that my belt change is a fair way away. I cant recall what the kays were but Im thinking it was around the 160 or 180km mark???? I Bought the car at 104k and now its at 118k. Its been serviced by an independant non-euro specific mechanic @ 115k, but hes really good.

Wondering now if I should double check, and if needed, get it done. I also need it looked at because its blowing blue smoke (although running superbly), and some wheel bearings are humming. Mine is a TFSI pre-fl manual 2008