VW dealer servicing!
Discussion
I recently bought a Passat TDi 130 sport which is a great car. I checked the service book to see it had had the timing belt replaced at the specified 60k interval, but later when checking the paperwork found that the waterpump had not been replaced at the same time. As it is such common knowledge that the plastic impellors fail on the standard pumps, I can only assume that it is a money making idea to not replace it at the same time as the belt as they know you will be back soon to have the pump and belt replaced again.
Main dealers always talk you into more work than is generally needed, so it seems ulikely to me that they suddenly try to save you money here. Anyone else had the same?
Main dealers always talk you into more work than is generally needed, so it seems ulikely to me that they suddenly try to save you money here. Anyone else had the same?
No not had that problem, however I did have my cambelt done at an Indy who knew what they were talking about.
Although I did take mine to VW dealer to have the battery replaced & they gave me a "free" 100 point (or however many) check, will brought up no end of Bull $h!t problems even down to a perished antenae base wtf
Although I did take mine to VW dealer to have the battery replaced & they gave me a "free" 100 point (or however many) check, will brought up no end of Bull $h!t problems even down to a perished antenae base wtf
I work as a service advisor for a VW dealer and I can only agree with whats said about the "free" check - the technicians pick up on everything. As far as having the water pump replaced with the cambelt - I always recommend it to customers but believe it or not some decline because they think that we are trying to get more money out of them - so its not always the dealers fault! Some people have no concept and no amount of explaining seems to help.
I had my cambelt done on the gt tdi 150 golf and the waterpump was only 40 extra with no extra labour. This makes sense really as it saves you money on the long term as if the waterpump fails then the cambelt has to come off anyway.
The coolant also got changed at the same time for 15quid which is a very good price as its normally 40-60.
Also on the plastic impellers, i have read alot of stories on them failing from audisport forum when i had a s3 so later ones were metal impellers.
The coolant also got changed at the same time for 15quid which is a very good price as its normally 40-60.
Also on the plastic impellers, i have read alot of stories on them failing from audisport forum when i had a s3 so later ones were metal impellers.
Speaking as an Audi dealer tech, I cant tell you how much hassle we have with this.
If someone rings up and says how much is it for a cam belt they get quoted the cam belt price, if we added teh cost of teh water pump at this stage, we would be £40 more expensive than every one else.
Then when they come in, you advise the water pump too, pointing out there is no, or a very tiny, labour charge and they go mental like your are trying to rip them off.
Lease companies totally refuse to replace anything until its well and truly dead. So you cant put a water pump on a lease car.
Then at the other end of the spectrum sensible knowledgeable customers who know its a good idea to have the water pump done and ask on booking. But we've even had a good number of people forget to say they wanted it, until after its done and then look at the invoice and say, why didn't you do the water pump. Its a total pain and you can never please everybody.
If someone rings up and says how much is it for a cam belt they get quoted the cam belt price, if we added teh cost of teh water pump at this stage, we would be £40 more expensive than every one else.
Then when they come in, you advise the water pump too, pointing out there is no, or a very tiny, labour charge and they go mental like your are trying to rip them off.
Lease companies totally refuse to replace anything until its well and truly dead. So you cant put a water pump on a lease car.
Then at the other end of the spectrum sensible knowledgeable customers who know its a good idea to have the water pump done and ask on booking. But we've even had a good number of people forget to say they wanted it, until after its done and then look at the invoice and say, why didn't you do the water pump. Its a total pain and you can never please everybody.
Apologies to our resident main dealer staff here. I of course was not party to the first owner's wishes when the timing belt was replaced. It just feels a little as though I'm driving a ticking time bomb, knowing of many that have failed at the 70-80k mark. I'll have to bite the bullet and get it done again for peace of mind!
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