DIY Cambelt change or leave it to garage

[Von Maximo]

As the thread title suggests I'm interested to see how easy this is achieve. Even though I'm not a qualified mechanic I'm more competent with general servicing and maintaining vehicles, although I've never replaced a cam belt. The main reason for this is to try and save money as I'm skint but the car is well overdue for one - Cam belt changed at 70k and now currently on 150k

Has anyone knowledge of the difficulty or has an elsawin instruction manual?

Thanks in advance

 

[dex140]

I toyed with the idea of doing mine! Ended up paying £250 from a VAG specalist instead as it was a very good price!

 

[MartayMcFly]

Put it this way - I wouldn't buy a car that someone had just had a go of changing the cambelt on. Unless you really know what you're doing, get it done by someone reputable, and get it stamped in the service book.

 

[Von Maximo]

Put it this way - I wouldn't buy a car that someone had just had a go of changing the cambelt on. Unless you really know what you're doing, get it done by someone reputable, and get it stamped in the service book.

Fair play but it's a 2004 with 150k on the clock, part service history, tatty paintwork and probably only worth about £2k - so as I'm not intending to sell it I'd rather get the cam belt changed now than pay the concequences just because I'm worried about the resale value.

 

[MartayMcFly]

Fair play but it's a 2004 with 150k on the clock, part service history, tatty paintwork and probably only worth about £2k - so as I'm not intending to sell it I'd rather get the cam belt changed now than pay the concequences just because I'm worried about the resale value.

I suppose it does depend on the car, and if the history is already a bit patchy then it won't have the same re-sale effect doing it yourself. Sounds like you thought I meant to not get it done at all, that's definitely not the best option!

 

[APAutomotive]

Its definately worth having a garage do it. For your own piece of mind at least.

It could be messy if its not quite timed correctly

 

[bug]

I toyed with the idea of doing mine! Ended up paying £250 from a VAG specalist instead as it was a very good price!

Thats a very good price isn't it?! Where'd you get that done? Best I've found is £315..

 

[RobinA3]

You'll need to buy the looking tools which will set you back about £40.

I sent mine to a specialist even though i was more than capable of doing it, i changed the timing chains on the wifes R32 on the driveway last year as it was a £2k specialist job but for the cambelt on the A3 i couldn't be bothered to save myself like £100 labour so i gave it to the specialist instead.

 

[Von Maximo]

Thanks Robin

If I can save £100 then I think it's something that I think I need to research a bit more! Are the any A3 specific guides on changing the belt out there?

 

[murran]

where abouts are you? im in sheffield s5, ive got the tools and ive done two at work this week alone! a 55 plate caddy van and a 53 touran. be a nice little sunday job for some beer money?

you get the bits.
cambelt kit
water pump
aux. drive belt.
couple of litres of g12 antifreeze.

 

[Von Maximo]

I'm up in Barnsley so not a million miles away from you. I'll send a private message to you!

 

[dex140]

Thats a very good price isn't it?! Where'd you get that done? Best I've found is £315..

From volkservice in Blackpool! Was an absoloute steal i think!

 

[murran]

pm'ed you back mate.

hopefully thats my sunday afternoon spoken for!

 

[SAiLO]

Have you checked what audi charge for it? They used to have it on a special offer.

 

[murran]

doubt its as good as my £40 labour special offer! anyway its done now.

 

[Von Maximo]

doubt its as good as my £40 labour special offer! anyway its done now.

And top job done too! Looking at what was involved I'm glad I didn't attempt this on my own.

Thanks for sorting this out John and was a pleasure to meet you!