Cam belt change

[DXP55]

For some reason I thought my Focus had a chain as it has a 120k renewal and then I read "or ten years" whichever comes first- It's a belt
Damn - cars 10 yrs old - 12 if you count 2 yrs sitting on a airfield before it was registered and only on 74k so saving pennies to get it done but will have everything in there changed - even oil seal behind bottom pulley.
Can't see me changing this for a good few years so might as well put the money in it.

If it's not Vets it's garages.

 

[mjt]

My A6 is going in for a cambelt and large service in a few weeks, but that's part and parcel of owning a 10-year-old car that's done 120,000 miles..

Be grateful you live in the UK and it's not going to cost you €800 for the cambelt change alone. And that's at a well respected indy in the Netherlands! Haven't found a reputable one locally so have to travel 100 miles to another country to get it done

 

[Mcnumpty2323]

Yeah remember my c max around 8 to 10 years ago or so it was 100k for the cam belt
That's actually way more than some other cars I have owned in the past though
Some were 30 or 40k
So the focus is actually pretty good
Had an escorts cam belt snap day before it was going to be changed
Was only doing 10mph and still needed major repairs
I have whole kit done not just belt
On a 10 year old focus though depends how much they want?
As not expensive car at all to get another

 

[MikeTheNative]

I had mine done on 57 plate focus last year, it was under the mileage requirement but over the year one. My plan is run it into the ground now, so if I get another 5 years out of the car then I'll be happy. I think it cost me about £400/500, it had an MOT, and needed some suspension work done at the same time so can't remember the cost of the change alone.

 

[Armageus]

On a 10 year old focus though depends how much they want?
As not expensive car at all to get another

Better the car you already know rather than changing to another, no matter how cheap.

 

[Semple]

For some reason I thought my Focus had a chain as it has a 120k renewal and then I read "or ten years" whichever comes first- It's a belt
Damn - cars 10 yrs old - 12 if you count 2 yrs sitting on a airfield before it was registered and only on 74k so saving pennies to get it done but will have everything in there changed - even oil seal behind bottom pulley.
Can't see me changing this for a good few years so might as well put the money in it.

If it's not Vets it's garages.

It's one of those components that you can't really be sure of its condition, and one that you definitely don't want to risk not changing with the potential of causing some major damage.

 

[DXP55]

Been looking at Youtube and when it goes in I will have belt-idler pully-waterpump and oil seal on crank replaced -£450 for cam belt and idler +extra for waterpump and seal -- For a 10 yr old car it is in really good condition and has all the goodies except leather seats.

It's just another unexpected bill.

 

[Temujin]

Aye, it's best to have the waterpump and such done at the same time considering it's little extra cost and labour, vs it going in a years time and having to do all the same work just to change it then!

 

[Mcnumpty2323]

Been looking at Youtube and when it goes in I will have belt-idler pully-waterpump and oil seal on crank replaced -£450 for cam belt and idler +extra for waterpump and seal -- For a 10 yr old car it is in really good condition and has all the goodies except leather seats.

It's just another unexpected bill.

Costs more
But I always did
Some people just do belt to save cash
False economy really
But each to their own

 

[Mcnumpty2323]

Better the car you already know rather than changing to another, no matter how cheap.

Yes that can be very true
I have been very lucky when buying cheap cars in the past
But yeah you could buy a lemon

 

[Minstadave]

My A6 is going in for a cambelt and large service in a few weeks, but that's part and parcel of owning a 10-year-old car that's done 120,000 miles..

Be grateful you live in the UK and it's not going to cost you €800 for the cambelt change alone. And that's at a well respected indy in the Netherlands! Haven't found a reputable one locally so have to travel 100 miles to another country to get it done

Why so expensive, high labour rates?

 

[Orionaut]

Why so expensive, high labour rates?

Parts are expensive and it is quite a big job on Audis (Most big Audis need the front of the car removing for access to do the job, on an older car all it takes is a couple of rusty bolts to turn a fiddly job into a nightmarish one.)

 

[Minstadave]

It was the location aspect I was really interested in, wondered how things were outside the UK. I think our labour rates are silly as it is.

 

[Orionaut]

I think our labour rates are silly as it is.

Depends what you are comparing with. There seem to be plenty of people who are perfectly happy (Well, not happy exactly) to pay a plumber £80 to change a tap washer who will moan like billy-o at paying the same to have their car serviced!

 

[mjt]

It was the location aspect I was really interested in, wondered how things were outside the UK. I think our labour rates are silly as it is.

Depends what you are comparing with. There seem to be plenty of people who are perfectly happy (Well, not happy exactly) to pay a plumber £80 to change a tap washer who will moan like billy-o at paying the same to have their car serviced!

My (excellent) Audi dealer just got back to me with a quote of €1800 for the service and cambelt, water pump, etc.

Yeah, no thanks. Indy it is.

 

[Minstadave]

Depends what you are comparing with. There seem to be plenty of people who are perfectly happy (Well, not happy exactly) to pay a plumber £80 to change a tap washer who will moan like billy-o at paying the same to have their car serviced!

I'd happily pay £80 an hour! That's half what BMW charge at our local dealership for repairs.

 

[Orionaut]

I'd happily pay £80 an hour! That's half what BMW charge at our local dealership for repairs.

Ahh, but if you go to an Indy, you don't get the Cavernous and Luxurious, fitted carpet, reception area. Background music. Large Pot plant. Todays papers. Coffee machine. Dolly bird behind the desk, And the free loaner.

All this costs you know....!

 

[Drumroll]

Waterpump and any auxiliary belt too.
I would strongly recommend independent specialist.
Using one in Cambridge for my partner's Mercedes and is putting the dealer to shame.

 

[mjt]

Out of interest, what would the going rate of a cambelt, water pump and major service be at an Audi main dealer in the UK?

 

[Dis86]

Out of interest, what would the going rate of a cambelt, water pump and major service be at an Audi main dealer in the UK?

Hello, is this Audi? Yes? Could you give me the price for...