Cam belt

**JayA3sline** · 08-05-2011,08:12 AM

Well it's that time of the year...
5 years have past quickly and the motor needs it's lifeline changed, audi ring me out of courtesy to inform me about it's change, along with mot due- which I thought was very good of them.

Audi cambelt costs £399. Now since owning a car I don't think I've ever had to replace a cambelt due to not having the same car that long. I know it's the heart and soul of the engine and I know £400 is nothing compared to the costs of a new engine...but damn!! £400!!!

At least the mots free...

**NIGHTHAUNTER** · 08-05-2011,09:29 AM

do they replace water pump and tensioners in with that price have you had any other quotes say from bosch service or the likes i dont think its a bad price if your car passes mot ok

**JayA3sline** · 08-05-2011,09:35 AM

Thanks for the reply.

I have no idea buddy, I will ring them to find out, not really technical when it comes to under the bonnet so I wouldn't know the water pump & tensioners would of needed doing too. I can guarantee it's not included though! Will inform after 10 (when they open)

**NIGHTHAUNTER** · 08-05-2011,09:59 AM

Originally Posted by JayA3sline

Thanks for the reply.

I have no idea buddy, I will ring them to find out, not really technical when it comes to under the bonnet so I wouldn't know the water pump & tensioners would of needed doing too. I can guarantee it's not included though! Will inform after 10 (when they open)

if ya water pump is driven by cam belt it needs changing and ask them to inspect tensioners and pulleys to be on the safe side mate its not just belt wear that causes them to break these secondary items come into play as well best to cover all angles

**alankru** · 09-05-2011,09:50 AM

The £399 is their affordable servicing. It's good that they quoted you this price and not the "full" price. However, do not be alarmed; the cambelt change is the same, it's just the price that's different. You have to pay about £65 more for the waterpump change which you ought to have done too, particularly if you do a high mileage or want to keep the car for a number of years. To have the waterpump changed at a later date is not cost effective, because of the labour involved to take everything out, so it is better to do it at the same time as the cambelt change. The waterpump is driven by the cambelt so if the pump seezes it could snap the belt.

The technicians use a cambelt kit that includes the necessary tensioners that need changing.
After they do a waterpump change and you've driven around a bit, check your coolant level to make sure it's at the right level.

**JayA3sline** · 09-05-2011,04:38 PM

Just rung them and they said there's a maximum charge of £100 for the water pump change. I've booked that in too, kill 2 birds with one stone. My cars only done 50k miles but I don't want to take it back for a pump change later hence why they can do there and then. I'm slightly confused about your post about the cost of the cam belt change because £399 is stated on their website for a change in cambelt...

Thanks for posts

**alankru** · 09-05-2011,07:24 PM

Hopefully they won't charge you £100 because that's too expensive.

What I mean by affordable servicing is that this is deemed a "special" price. With some dealers you have to actually tell them that you want it at this price otherwise they charge full labour costs. This then makes something like a service or a cambelt change a lot more expensive.

**JayA3sline** · 09-05-2011,07:45 PM

How cheeky is that, so for some poor sod who can't access the website, or haven't heard of "affordable serving", odds are if they don't quote any price there gonna get hit with a full cost bill!!

....I shall be double checking my bill thats for sure now, thanks for the wise words mate.

**JayA3sline** · 10-05-2011,05:24 PM

Just rung them again to double check on final costs as from what I have read on here, people have mentioned different costs unless specified... So...

There response was that on the system it is quoted £499. For cambelt change along with tensioners and water pump change (which I got told ealier post should be approx £60) the guy did say that the maximum cost of the water pump was £100, no doubt I'll get charged the max. I wonder if they'll charge me for tensioners although it was mentioned the cam belt comes as a kit including tensioners.

You just know that £499 is NOT gonna be the final price to pay. Surely not.

**alankru** · 10-05-2011,05:44 PM

I would recommend that you phone another dealership nearby and ask them the price. Then print off the affordable servicing price from the website. Take it with you and if they try to charge you more, show them the piece of paper, explaining that you booked it at that price. Even quibble about the price of the water pump if another dealership does it cheaper.

On top of all of that, when you go to drop the car off, I would confirm the pricing with the advisor beforehand.

I got charged full price for a service once, when it should have been under affordable servicing. I got the money back without any issues, but I've learnt since then.