Timing Belt Change On Astra £450?? Is this overpriced?

cramsteems

Apologies if this is a little dull or been answered but I am very much in need of some advise!

I have an Astra J 2011 1.7 110hp @ 97k Miles.

I know the cambelt needs to be changed at 100k so I thought now was a pretty good time.

I called my local garage who are pretty well respected, the guy on the phone immediately informed me that it would have to be the cambelt AND water pump replaced at the same time! (apparently they have to be replaced together) He said it would cost around £450!

I then rung my local Vauxhall dealers who couldn’t actually tell me if its recommended to replace the cambelt and the water pump at the same time (helpful -_-) they said they could do the same thing for £650! (Faint)!

So I’m just wondering if first of all do these 2 components need to be replaced together, does the water pump really drive the cambelt?

And then is this price reasonable?

Thank you very much for the help!!!

worried_jim

A water pump is about £30 and to fit you have to do the same amount of work as you would a cam belt on it's own so it makes sense to put a new one whilst you can get at it.

Nearly_Old

It's quite normal for the water pump to be replaced when the cambelt is changed as when everything is removed to change the cambelt it is quick and easy to change the water pump. IIRC when my old citroen last had a cambelt change (quite a few years ago) the cambelt only was around £300 and the water pump was an extra £20.

waamo

The price sounds about right. You aren't being robbed.

debtdebt

Yes the water pump is driven off the cam belt. Always advisable to change the water pump at the same time.

Why do you think the £450 bill is overpriced? The main dealer has already quoted a price £200 more.

z1a

Because the water pump is the most likely thing to seize and destroy your new belt, along with the engine.

waamo

You would be even more unhappy to pay a couple of hundred a few weeks later to get the £20 water pump changed as it is on its way out.

Cam belts need doing and water pumps have a similar life expectancy. Might as well kill two birds with one stone especially as it's a near identical job to do.

sevenhills

cramsteems wrote: »

Apologies if this is a little dull or been answered but I am very much in need of some advise!

I have an Astra J 2011 1.7 110hp @ 97k Miles.

I know the cambelt needs to be changed at 100k so I thought now was a pretty good time.

Cambelt

£239

Corsa

VIVA

Tigra

Agila

Astra

Meriva

Zafira

Look at this link, a lower price from Vauxhaul, add the water pump. I assume the price is all in.



https://www.vauxhall.co.uk/owners/repairs-and-breakdowns/repairs/fixed-price-repairs.html

James1968

Oem waterpumps have plastic impellers. These become brittle over time and start to break up.

that's why it is advisable to change the pump, belt and tensioners all at the same time.

Had mine done on my Berlingo 1.6HDi. Cost was £460 all in.

System

Did the same with my Mondeo. Cambelt, tensioners and water pump.

Norman_Castle

does the water pump really drive the cambelt?

No. The crank pulley drives the belt, the belt drives the water pump.