Cam Belt!

[Clach]

Evening All,

As a new owner of a W Reg 1.8T A3 I was wondering when you should change the Cam belt. My car currently has 38,000 on the clock and is about 7 years old. No cam belt change has been recorded, but it has a full Audi history. I got a quote from an Audi Dealer of around £500, does that sound right? I have the opportunity to go to an Audi specialist in the area, but with such an important service job is it worth it? Your thoughts please?

Thanks,

Craig

 

[AndyMac]

80k or 4-5 years.
Go to a specialist and ensure you get the water pump replaced at the same time with one with a metal impeller (Audi use a plastic one).
Should be about £350 at a good VAG specialist. Don't get it done at a dealer unless you want to pay £80+ per hour and then find out they didn't replace the water pump.

 

[S3 NIK]

Agree with AndyMac.
Had mine done a couple of months ago due to age not mileage.
Didn't even consider a main dealer, went straight to a specialist and probably had a better job done for a fraction of the cost.
Its a myth that main dealers offer the best service, all they offer is sky high hourly labour rates.
Nik.

80k or 4-5 years.
Go to a specialist and ensure you get the water pump replaced at the same time with one with a metal impeller (Audi use a plastic one).
Should be about £350 at a good VAG specialist. Don't get it done at a dealer unless you want to pay £80+ per hour and then find out they didn't replace the water pump.

 

[TRS1]

True, main dealer prices are high, but, if they fit it, they gaurantee your engine if the cambelt fails. A friend had his done at a so called "specialist" and on his way down to Cornwall on the M5 a few weeks later, his engine cut out. The cause? the specialist had left a bolt loose which then rubbed on the cambelt and eventually caused the belt to fail.
I'm not saying all specialists are like that, I'm sure they're not, but if the difference in price isn't too bad and you can afford it, then the peice of mind the dealership garauntee gives has to be worth it.

P.S. You will find in your service schedule I think that your cambelt isn't due till 118k!!! Although I'd recomend you have it done soon if it's 7 years old!

 

[S3 NIK]

The specialist i use covers his work for 12 months so i get the best of both worlds

True, main dealer prices are high, but, if they fit it, they gaurantee your engine if the cambelt fails. A friend had his done at a so called "specialist" and on his way down to Cornwall on the M5 a few weeks later, his engine cut out. The cause? the specialist had left a bolt loose which then rubbed on the cambelt and eventually caused the belt to fail.
I'm not saying all specialists are like that, I'm sure they're not, but if the difference in price isn't too bad and you can afford it, then the peice of mind the dealership garauntee gives has to be worth it.

P.S. You will find in your service schedule I think that your cambelt isn't due till 118k!!! Although I'd recomend you have it done soon if it's 7 years old!

 

[madvw]

getting mine done on monday from a main dealer. Belt + cambelt kit (tensioners) + waterpump = £560. That and an AVS service for £250 gives a nice round figure of £810... eech!!

absolutely essential maintenance work though unfortunately.

 

[mwstewart]

getting mine done on monday from a main dealer. Belt + cambelt kit (tensioners) + waterpump = £560. That and an AVS service for £250 gives a nice round figure of £810... eech!!

absolutely essential maintenance work though unfortunately.

Jeeez. You don't like the idea of taking it to an indy then?

 

[AndyMac]

True, main dealer prices are high, but, if they fit it, they gaurantee your engine if the cambelt fails.

Ummm don't think so mate, not unless you fancy taking them to court.
Audi dealers are all franchised, they are nothing to do with Audi really and in no way more responsible or reasonable than a VAG specialist, most are worse.
Try calling Audi customer services to complain about one of their so called dealers. You get no where. How do you prove the cambelt failed due to their negligence in replacing it. It can fail for any number of reasons, which they will happily use to weasel out of any responsibility.
A good specialist is far more likely to 1. do the job properly and 2. provide proper customer care because they actually value your custom.

P.S. You will find in your service schedule I think that your cambelt isn't due till 118k!!!

80k max actually, no Audi cambelt is rated to last 118k miles, 115km's maybe but certainly not miles

 

[Gordon]

Has anyone on the site replaced a cambelt themselves? If so it would be good to know if it is a straight forword job and if there are any little snags that might be encountered.

 

[TheSpaceCowboy]

I was wondering this too, my dads friend done it on his VW Polo but he's an engineer and I dunno if he dropped the engine. Plus any way to check if its already been done? Mine has only partial reciepts for the services its had and some by independants.

 

[ROBS3]

It's worth haggling wherever you take it - no harm asking if they can do it any cheaper, most places can take the price down by 10%. I called several Audi dealers for prices, quotes were anything from £477 to £900. Quite incredible the difference in price. I took mine to Portsmouth Audi who were very good, got a courtesy car etc, when picked mine up it had been washed + I got free mints! . So paid £477 inc waterpump.

Could have taken it to an independant, but haven't had much luck in the past with them and wanted the 'Audi' stamp. I'm sure other independants would do just a good job, but that was just right for me at the time.

 

[madvw]

Jeeez. You don't like the idea of taking it to an indy then?

i'm fine with indies, there are not any around here i'd trust given past experiences.

one charged me £25 per lifter after quoting £25 for the set, coming to £500 inc labour for just replacing the tappets in an 8V mk2 GTi...

another charged me £800 for the privilege of taking my corrado vr6 apart, filling the bores with petrol, and telling me it was broken. They then wanted another £4,500 to fix it.

To be honest, in my experience, some independants downright take the ****. Try arguing with them, and they'll stonewall you.

If i take it to a main dealer, they fix it (well, maybe), they have great looking staff and i get a nosey about or test-drive the latest models - or i get a courtesy car (another new audi, not like other dealers) to be getting on with my business.

I'm sure there are awesome, honest indies out there, but i've yet to find one close enough to be convenient.

 

[madvw]

...
A good specialist is far more likely to 1. do the job properly and 2. provide proper customer care because they actually value your custom.

thats it though isnt it. Finding a good independant!

To get my business, companies must be reputable AND local.

 

[ROBS3]

I agree with madvw.

Trying to find a good, reliable independant that values your custom is the hard bit - and expect a miserable time in the process!

That's from my experience anyway.

 

[dan_a3]

Has anyone on the site replaced a cambelt themselves? If so it would be good to know if it is a straight forword job and if there are any little snags that might be encountered.

Its not really a job for anyone to just have a go at. 1 mistake can be fatal. As long as you keep the timing marks of the cam and the crankshaft in the same position, you should be alright, but if you havent done one before, or are not much of a mechanic, i wouldnt attempt it. Get it out of time and start the engine up- near enough same effect as having your belt snap in the first place.

 

[recomdos]

I'm having a new cam belt put on at my next service. Obviously I'm going to replace the water pump with a metal impellor unit.

Is there anything else worth considering whilst this labour is going on? Any other belts etc.

Cheers.

 

[cawood]

where do you get a water pump with a metal impeller from?

im just on with it all im replacing

Water pump
Cambelt & tensioner
Damper
alternator belt
oil pump & strainer
Coolant temp sensor

& doing Haldex filter & oil

n gearbox n diff oils!!!

blag!

 

[AndyMac]

German & Swedish or VAGParts

 

[Clach]

Hi again,

Ok, thanks for all your replies. Inspired by some previous threads I tried to haggle with the Audi Dealers in Slough, and they agreed to do a reduced rate of £88 an hour for labour and only half an Hour to change the Waterpump. My car is due for a 40K service so I tried to haggle them on reducing the overall price. They got back to me with these prices:

£480 FOR A 40K service
£615 for cambelt, ribbed belt and water pump replacement

Independent dealer for me then....£480 for a basic service!?

 

[madvw]

thats with a discount? I'm getting mine done on monday from a main dealer, and they're charging me £560 for belt, pump and tensioners..

40k service sound steep too. I paid £510ish for 40k service plus brake fluid, haldex oil and filter too. Check the a3 service pricing faq, and put your quotes on there too

 

[Clach]

Price from Reading Audi is £500 for cambelt, water pump and belts. They said not to worry about replacing the dampener!

 

[AndyMac]

Price from Reading Audi is £500 for cambelt, water pump and belts. They said not to worry about replacing the dampener!

That's reassuring, so they'll be happy to rebuild your engine should one of the tensioners fail and cause the cambelt to slip and take out most of your 20 valves? I don't think so. the parts are not the issue it's mainly labour. So to not change everything while your there is just a complete false economy. Dealers usually say the same about the water pump, which is a nonsense, but does of course mean they can recharge you all that labour again when (not if) these sundry items get worn out.

 

[dubmas]

wow, i was ****** off for gettin charged £340 for a service an cambelt kit change at my local garage. seems a bargain now, i new i could trust em!.

didnt know about gettin the water pump changed, will have to do this next year. - how long does it normally take to just replace the water pump? how much is the metal type water pump on its own ie. from gsf?
nish one. !!!

 

[steebo888]

my s3 is on 74k so im gonna chnage the cambelt kit very soon.
gonna avoid the stealers as there are good audi specialists who will do the same quality job but for alot less.
Im going to audi specialists in Huddersfield. The mechainic there worked as the head mechanic in audi for 16 years so has good experience.

 

[fingermouse]

which audi specalist in huddersfield ??? peter ellams ????

 

[jojo]

didnt know about gettin the water pump changed, will have to do this next year. - how long does it normally take to just replace the water pump? how much is the metal type water pump on its own ie. from gsf?
nish one. !!!

Your cambelt would have to come off for the waterpump to be changed, might aswell get yourself another new cambelt in, in the process lol.

 

[jpda4]

getting mine done on monday from a main dealer. Belt + cambelt kit (tensioners) + waterpump = £560. That and an AVS service for £250 gives a nice round figure of £810... eech!!

absolutely essential maintenance work though unfortunately.

have you registered your car on the free 'premier plus 3....... gets you the following benefits......The exclusive benefits include:

30% Discount on Labour Rates for Service and Repair*

½ Price MOT test when a service is booked
Free Brake & Tyre Inspection including Vehicle Health check (available by appointment)
Approved Audi Parts at reduced prices (When fitted in our workshops)
Priority Booking Service
Complimentary Courtesy Car
Chauffeur Service (to home or office) or Vehicle Collection and Delivery (available by appointment, subject to availability)
Audi Extended Warranty Scheme available (FSA regulated)
Audi Endorsed Service History (ensuring you optimise the re-sale value of your Audi)
On-Line booking service
All repairs are guaranteed for 12 months

link to register.......http://www.northeastaudi.co.uk/teesside-audi-prem-reg.php

don't know if its a national scheme £800+ would have been the price audi teesside would have wanted for cam belt and service

decided to go for specialist for cambelt water pump and service for £420ish

 

[madvw]

nice discounts those!

unfortunately, it looke like only that chain of franchises.

 

[TRS1]

Ummm don't think so mate, not unless you fancy taking them to court.
Audi dealers are all franchised, they are nothing to do with Audi really and in no way more responsible or reasonable than a VAG specialist, most are worse.
Try calling Audi customer services to complain about one of their so called dealers. You get no where. How do you prove the cambelt failed due to their negligence in replacing it. It can fail for any number of reasons, which they will happily use to weasel out of any responsibility.
A good specialist is far more likely to 1. do the job properly and 2. provide proper customer care because they actually value your custom.

Actually mate! My dad is a VW master tech and I KNOW that they do cover it and KNOW of a number of occasions where the HAVE paid out for failed cambelts!!!

80k max actually, no Audi cambelt is rated to last 118k miles, 115km's maybe but certainly not miles

Find your service book and look!

 

[TRS1]

That's reassuring, so they'll be happy to rebuild your engine should one of the tensioners fail and cause the cambelt to slip and take out most of your 20 valves? I don't think so. the parts are not the issue it's mainly labour. So to not change everything while your there is just a complete false economy. Dealers usually say the same about the water pump, which is a nonsense, but does of course mean they can recharge you all that labour again when (not if) these sundry items get worn out.

You really are quite paranoid aren't you?!

My dad didn't change my water pump as he said it was fine, now why would he say that when he changed my belt for free and he gets good discount on parts? Maybe because he'd be "happy to do it all again when (not if) this sundry item gets worn out"?!

 

[simonwjones]

My mate wanted the cambelt on is TT does. 32k miles, but 5 years old.

Wanted to keep up the Audi service history, even though I told him not to bother.

Anyway, a few questions via Ebay to Audi stoke and heres the outcome


Cambelt change £275
Cambelt, water pump and Aux belt £375
Annual service (fixed interval) £99
Annual service AVS £189

All prices INCLUDE vat

as we are both stokies he went down there today to book it in. Ebay, dont remember that conversation or price?

A quick phone call to me and my Ebay ID and they suddenly remembered.

I told him to change his servicing to fixed as he only uses it at weekends.

When they presumable ring him to tell him they think he should have new disks and pads ( is this a standard Audi service ticklist option!!!!!) I told him to tell them No thanks and I'll do it for him.

Hes WELL happy with the price, lets just hope the service is as good

Simon

 

[AndyMac]

You really are quite paranoid aren't you?!

My dad didn't change my water pump as he said it was fine, now why would he say that when he changed my belt for free and he gets good discount on parts? Maybe because he'd be "happy to do it all again when (not if) this sundry item gets worn out"?!

Not paranoid, just experienced. I guess I'm talking to the majority here who don't get their dad's to do their cambelt changes.
The water pump runs off the cambelt, the water pump will fail at around 100k miles, for £40 you can get it changed at the same time, or wait and see. For £40 I really don't think it's worth playing russioan roulette with your engine. Using that rationale maybe your dad put the old cambelt back on as it thought it looked OK too.

As for the cambelt service intervals and the info in the handbook, would this be the same handbook that tells you that only Audi can change a brake light bulb? Ummmm not very reliable, and the info is constantly updated anyway.

 

[simonwjones]

My cambelt was changed prior to buying my car. It was a condition of buying the car from the garage. I also insisted that the tensioners, water pump and aux belt were changed as well.

2 months later the water pump goes.

The garage forgot to tell the mechanic to change the waterpump. ( he probably thought " it looks ok to me". WRONG

its just not worth the time and effort to not get it done at the same, for gods sake its only a few extra screws to undo.

Luckily mine was still covered under warranty so they bore the cost.


Simon

 

[Clach]

Further update;

Having asked and phoned around different Audi dealer and Independents, I have decided to get the cam belt (plus all the rest of the stuff you all recommended) done in Reading Audi for £640; for the following reasons.

The most recommended independent was the cheapest, by about £100 but I had to phone them three times just to secure a date and cost - they promised to call me back on three seperate occasions, but failed to on each occasion: not the service I would want if anything went wrong.

The slough dealer wanted about £800+and £15 to hire a car for a day.

I feel far more secure paying an extra £100 to get such an important job completed at an audi dealer. I took on board the water pump issue, but I am sure Audi must have changed the design due to so many failures. If not, they are responsible for the next two years. However, i still refuse to touch a dealer for servicing however...shocking prices!

Thank-you all for your concern and comments.

Clach

 

[madvw]

in the end, my main dealer AVS service, cambelt, tensioners and waterpump came to £770. Wasn't as bad as i was expecting.

The worst bit was the 8P A3 1.6 courtesy car, but i think i've permanently blocked that out of my mind now...

 

[AndyMac]

I took on board the water pump issue, but I am sure Audi must have changed the design due to so many failures. If not, they are responsible for the next two years.

Clach

Oh dear.

 

[Hardsy]

I dont understand how audi delears can charge £80 quid an hour labour! Shocking! Ive previously had no luck whatsoever with dealers and would always opt for the local independent garage that you can trust, once u have found one stick with them! they get to know you and the car and are very helpful. Been quoted 3 hours labour costs @ £14 quid an hour for cambelt/water pump/haldex filter change and £65 quid for the servie = £107 quid , parts from GSF cost me 120 quid all in. Whic is a total cost for all parts service and cambelt change at a mere £227! beats 600-800 quid from the stealers anytime!!!!

 

[ROBS3]

£14 per hour

 

[golf]

I got my waterpump and cambelt changed for £90 labour. The parts cost me around £40. I don't see why anyone would rather go to a main dealer and let the work experience monkey do a major job.

 

[vrbob]

Dropped mine off at Abtech a local independant audi specialist this morning. I am getting the cambelt, waterpump (with metal impellor) etc. done for £300 inc VAT. Much rather pay the £50 an hour there rather than £90 at the stealers. So fingers crossed my independant experience all goes well.