Cost of Major service & Timing belt change

[Audi A4 Lover]

That's the advantage if you know what you're doing! My Audi dealer has just quoted me £220 for a full service on my A4, and £420 for a cambelt change

I'd do the whole lot for £450

[Loofer]

Well... ended up getting the service/cambelt/MOT done on Monday.

Total Labour cost was £200.

Also got the Temp Sender and Coolant reservouir/expansion tank changed.

Throughout my whole journey today I had the STOP check coolant light. I've had this before but it goes away after a few seconds. This stayed on the whole 38 miles. It's only when I got near work that I noticed the temp was well above 90 and steam was coming out of the engine. I checked the coolant bottle and there was none in there.

The mechanic did say that there was a small leak in the radiator, that's probably because I had already mentioned the car looses a very small amount of water each month. I've never known it to completely drain the system like this before.

Could it be that he didn't screw things back on properly? (I also had the waterpump changed at the same time)

I'm going to pick up a new Rad today and get that fitted by him tomorrow.

[vindaloo]

J
The garage I will be using is a local independant (non specialist) who I have used on several occasions. The owner/mechanic is trustworthy and competent.

Can I ask who you use as I'm in GTR Manchester & need a cam belt change?

[barnsleyman]

Just thought I would drop a post in about a cost of major service and timing belt change so people can use it as a benchmark/rough idea... especially when it comes to timing belt changes as that gets asked often here.

The garage I will be using is a local independant (non specialist) who I have used on several occasions. The owner/mechanic is trustworthy and competent.

Labour charge is £35/hr inc VAT

Parts bought (from VAG Parts)...
Oil sump plug/nut
Oil Filter
Air Filter
Fuel Filter
Green Temp Sender
Coolant level sensor/Reservour
Timing belt kit
Total £130

I anticipate the following costs
Comma PD oil £30
G12+ Coolant £10
Waterpump £30

Labour...
Cambelt change £100
Major Service £70

So all in all... for a major service with timing belt/waterpump change inc genuine VAG parts....£370

I'll be getting my MOT done at the same time so there'll be a multi-buy discount especially if I pay by cash

VW wanted £430 just for the Timing belt change alone. I know they have got a price match offer but I rather just stick to my local.

my local v/dub specalist quoteded £430 for a full major service and timing belt,fortunatly id just bought the car and had a load of trouble with it so the garage i bought from threw this in as a good will gesture

[Loofer]

Can I ask who you use as I'm in GTR Manchester & need a cam belt change?

Sure Start Motors in Bury.
Nothing special.... local independant garage. I should think you could find a similar one locally.

[gjt]

Christ almighty!Im so glad I do my own jobs!I did the cam belt,waterpump, oil & filter and pollen filter on my '98 A4 on sunday, cost me 55 quid and a sore knuckle

HI,
i have an AUDI A4, '98 as well. Needs a cambelt & water pump change.
Wondering if you would help me with a few queries:
1. Do know whats a damper, and does it need to be changed with the cam belt.
as i am getting conflicting views from several people.
2. where is a decent place to buy a cambelt kit and wht must it contain.

many thanks

[RickT]

HI,
i have an AUDI A4, '98 as well. Needs a cambelt & water pump change.
Wondering if you would help me with a few queries:
1. Do know whats a damper, and does it need to be changed with the cam belt.
as i am getting conflicting views from several people.
2. where is a decent place to buy a cambelt kit and wht must it contain.

many thanks

Contact Jason @ All German Parts, one of our forum suppliers.

All German Parts Limited
16 Pontefract Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1TB
Call us on 0113 2775245

http://www.allgermanparts.co.uk/

Ensure you mention the forum and mention i referred you.

Cheers

Rick

[Gt_Tdi_rich]

Christ almighty!Im so glad I do my own jobs!I did the cam belt,waterpump, oil & filter and pollen filter on my '98 A4 on sunday, cost me 55 quid and a sore knuckle

Same here
Maybe i should start doing it for a living as some them prices are out of this world

[okiedokie]

Hi guys,

I'm new here, great forum, will definitely be posting and reading up on as much as I can. I'm a big lover of all things A4, especially the older ones that seem to last forever... my own A4 98 estate is in need of a cambelt change and service so this thread has come in handy.

Just a quick question as I'm not too mechanically minded. The guy at the garage said he needs to remove the whole front of the car to change the cambelt, I've been quoted £450 for the change. I know that's too much and I wondered what your advice would be? Shall I buy the kit myself and go to another garage? Does he have to remove the front or have I been bs'd from the off. If so. I'll go somewhere else.

Thank you for any answers!

[vwcabriolet1971]

If you change water pump at same time as the cambelt you shouldn't have any water pump failures. I haven't had a VW water pump failure in over 400,000 miles ( varous models ).