MPG very poor after changing cambelt

[deason]

I had my first cam/water pump change on the Passat before Christmas, quotes from the VW approved lot were much higher so I thought sod it, it's my car now I'll go where I want.

The place I had it done are a local firm where I get the other half car sorted thats a carbon dated MK5 golf and they've been reliable enough, so thought they'd be fine doing mine, however I've had some "issues" that suggest it might well not a decent job;

1. First issue was the coolant light came on after a few miles, that went back and got refilled and then that went away. I think this may had just been where they didn't refill after doing the waterpump OR it had lost some on first intake?
2. Then the glow plugs went, is this normal for a car that's done 75k (5 years old) now days? I did do some research and suggested yes on these
3. Next issue was I could hear a belt noise starting in freezing temps so back it went, "We can't find the problem but think might either be the alternator going or the AC ?" this turned into we could keep looking and replacing these parts but don't know for sure conversation. Sounded like tosh so I've said I'd keep an eye on it.

So the main problem I've just noticed is after a few motorway journeys I've noticed refilling intervals is definitely quicker and reported MPG much lower (most I got was 50MPG on a 2 hour motorway journey over the weekend).

I probably should had gone with a proper independent specialist or VW now, and regret this but I have had cam belt changes done in the past without issues by "non approved" repairers.

Any input/help/ideas welcome.

[Mittens247]

None specialist garages rarely replace VW cambelts and therefore tend to have less knowledge or experience of doing so.

A VW specialist that replaces cambelts weekly/monthly will have the procedure down to a fine art and are a lot less likely to make mistakes.

I have only every had cambelts replaced on 2 cars. Firstly, a ford focus at a main dealer @ 125K miles and that was all good. Secondly, a Renault Clio at a local non specialist garage @ 70K miles, which they cocked up. The car had no power whatsoever and clearly they had never test driven it! Took it back and they sorted it in the end

If the mpg post cambelt change is drastically down then could the timing be off? Does it drive as it used to? Does it feel down on power? I presume the cambelt work was guaranteed for say 1 or 2 years. If your are not satisfied, then I would take the car back to the garage.

It's very annoying when you spend a decent amount of money to both maintain a car and for peace of mind, that you end up being worse off than if you had done nothing!

[deason]

Ive been driving it for a few weeks and I'm just not sure.

Occasional trips it will go to 55-60 but im finding during periods where im in 6th and put a minor amount of acceleration in the MPG begins to move down. Sometimes I get to 50mpg and it just sits there.

I do find the power feels like my wheels feel like they are slipping like im not in an appropriate gear....?

It is annoying as I've put trust in a local company who would want the money more than ********hips.