cambelt change + waterpump worthwhile? (seat leon 2.0 diesel 184bhp DSG)

Buffman

Buffman

Buffman

Soldato
Joined
4 May 2007
Posts
9,895
Location
West Midlands
Hi all,

Is a cambelt change + waterpump worthwhile ? I was surprised at the differential between age and mileage given my car very low mileage due to Working from home last two years (I expect my future mileage to be maybe 8k)

Total cost was around 600£ for cambelt+waterpump

Apparently recommended replacement mileage is 140k or 5 years (my car now 5 years)

Car:
Seat leon 2l diesel 184bhp, automatic DSG gearbox
Mileage - 37k, just had the DSG serviced. Last year I did 5k only but to be honest I wfh, do a couple short journeys a week (10min runs in heavy traffic) , then lots of 30min or 1hr+ long drives taking up say 4k of those miles (80%).

Ive owned it for 3 years, it had 14k /2 years old when I bought it

Im on the seat "all in" warranty plan, I believe vw and auid have similar. Prices are main dealer.

Any tales of woe for not having this done? Appreciate its a bit of "how long is a piece of string". The dealer will be indicating it as a red item on their health check after my service /mot
 
Last edited:
In reality, the belt will likely be absolutely fine. I've always found the 5 year interval to be very short on them. But speaking sensibly, it is worth doing for peace of mind. £600 could save you from a potential repair bill many times that. It will also help if or when you come to sell the car, having the belt done on time will show it's been looked after more rather than things being neglected.
 
To answer your question, yes, have it done. Not worth the risk!

I'm a mechanic and see a lot break - across manufactures and models. It's cheaper and more convenient to have it replaced then rebuild/replace the engine when it snaps.
 
Buffman said:
Hi all,

Is a cambelt change + waterpump worthwhile ?
Click to expand...
Yes, very worthwhile.
As has been said, the belt will probably be ok, but I wouldn't risk it.
I'm fairly sure yours is an interferance engine, so "if" it snaps, your valves will get real acquainted with your pistons, and it's not cheap to fix by any stretch of the imagination.
 
If it wasn't for some warranty reasons, I wouldn't bother personally, not after 5 years.

Depends how much the car is worth though.

5 years is short I feel it's the manufacturer covering their own backside plus getting more money out of you particularly if this is still within a warranty period.
 
I thought about whether I should get my Caddy Van done a while back, for similar reasons "Meh, it's just a waste of money" "It'll be fine". In the end I bit the bullet (about £400) turned out, the tensioner had come loose and the belt was hanging on by a thread..
 
I have exactly the same car as you, estate version. I hit 60k on mine after 4 years and had them both replaced right away. Make sure you get them to take the silica gel out of the coolant when they do the work, you'll possibly have heater matrix issues later down the line if they don't.

When handing the car back the mechanic said there wasn't a single thing wrong with my belt, but not every belt Is the same and it's worth having it done regardless.

For the sake of £5-600, if it snaps you could be looking at a whole new engine, not even worth the risk.
 
BUDFORCE said:
If it wasn't for some warranty reasons, I wouldn't bother personally, not after 5 years.

Depends how much the car is worth though.

5 years is short I feel it's the manufacturer covering their own backside plus getting more money out of you particularly if this is still within a warranty period.
Click to expand...

We buy any car says about 13.5k.

OK thanks all I think I'll do it!

Also need to do break fluid (about £90) and also some air conditioning "antibacterial a/c service (£90)ish
 
Get them changed. I let my old Vectra go some ways past the recommended replacement millage and was very lucky that the belt failed at very low RPMs and avoided any piston/valve damage.

Gaskets and strip/inspect/rebuild cost me £250 more than getting the parts replaced on schedule would have and I was very lucky.
 
Terminal_Boy said:
Get them changed. I let my old Vectra go some ways past the recommended replacement millage and was very lucky that the belt failed at very low RPMs and avoided any piston/valve damage.

Gaskets and strip/inspect/rebuild cost me £250 more than getting the parts replaced on schedule would have and I was very lucky.
Click to expand...
Ouch! What does "some ways past the recommended mileage" mean though? I'm fine on mileage, just age for the rubber etc to perish
 
Buffman said:
Ouch! What does "some ways past the recommended mileage" mean though? I'm fine on mileage, just age for the rubber etc to perish
Click to expand...
30k miles and a couple years past the recommended interval. The car saw very little use as I commuted by public transport and the wife walked to work at a local school. My local mechanic who did all the servicing was supper supportive and laughed when I told him I needed it towed into his garage.

“I’ve been telling you to get that done for 2 years Mr. Just Fluids, Filters and Check The Brakes..”
 
Buffman said:
We buy any car says about 13.5k.

OK thanks all I think I'll do it!

Also need to do break fluid (about £90) and also some air conditioning "antibacterial a/c service (£90)ish
Click to expand...
Unless you've noticed your AC isn't getting cold then that bit just sounds like £90 for them to effectively chuck a bug bomb in the car and leave it running.
 
yep always do them or get them done when due, especially low mileage. its as much if not more about the stress of all the stop start short journeys.
having had a belt and unfortunatly a chain snap its false economy, not too.
 
Yep i would get it done, to the manufacturer specifications, mileage or age which ever comes first. It’s much cheaper than a damaged engine.
 
Definitely get it done , if it happens to snap be warned the camshafts are not removable on these heads so any component damaged could lead to a new head needed , and the chances are your water pump has the electronic impeller shroud which is prone to failing so its good to get that replaced , I think I paid less than £400 when I got mine done and genuine parts were used .
 
A
wez68 said:
Definitely get it done , if it happens to snap be warned the camshafts are not removable on these heads so any component damaged could lead to a new head needed , and the chances are your water pump has the electronic impeller shroud which is prone to failing so its good to get that replaced , I think I paid less than £400 when I got mine done and genuine parts were used .
Click to expand...

Cheers, aye its the "dealer tax" so to speak, Total £639 for cambelt and water pump.

Looks like the resounding response is "get it done" so I'm going to do that
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom