Passat TDI Cambelt Change

[meesterb]

Could somebody please advise me what the going rate for a cambelt change would be on a 53 plate Passat TDI 130. I am also curious as to how difficult it would be to change myself. I'm a fairly competent DIY mechanic but with all the service deals about at the moment am wondering if its really worth tooling up with the locking set etc.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks

[markie2]

Morning - passat cambelt and tensioner - fitted price is £360 inclusive of parts labour and vat. Thats from the vw dealer where I currently work. If you are a fairly competent mechanic they are not too bad a job but you do have to remove the radiator and front bumper to access the belt and you'll also need a locking pin kit.
Hope thats of some help.

[meesterb]

Ok thanks this is good advice. Where is the best place to obtain a locking set?

[meesterb]

One final question (!) I have heard some rumours regarding the longevity of the water pumps on the VAG 1.9 TDI engines and plastic impellers parting company. Bearing this in mind would you consider it a good idea to change the water pump also? Thanks

[MoonMonkey]

I paid c.£240 at an independent for cambelt, tensioners and water pump. The OE water pump has a plastic impellor and is prone to failure. best to upgrade to a metal impellor unit during at the same time.

[Who me ?]

meesterb said:

One final question (!) I have heard some rumours regarding the longevity of the water pumps on the VAG 1.9 TDI engines and plastic impellers parting company. Bearing this in mind would you consider it a good idea to change the water pump also? Thanks

Waterpump costs little compared to cost of work to change it ( according to tecky sources on Briskoda ) -so it appears a few bob well spent in preventative maintenance .

[shadwell davies]

You can get a pin set from here
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-Audi-VW-Cam-belt-too...
Works a treat.....

[markie2]

Agree with the comments regarding the water pump - original fit ones have plastic impellors - the new ones are metal and changing it is no extra labour time. i thonk Halfords stock a locking kit for these engines.

[meesterb]

Thanks guys, all good info. I think I'll take the car off the road for a good weekend and do it properly.!