Audi A4 2.0TDI Cambelt and water pump cost

parking_question_chap

fred246 wrote: »

For any job you need to pay for parts and labour. The parts are about £80. The main dealers are obviously charging around £150 an hour labour. A mobile mechanic charging £150 an hour would be making £312k a year. So it's possible they could do the job for less.

Mobile mechanics do not charge £150 an hour labour and they do not teleport from job to job. A significant proportion of their time is driving for which they are not earning anything. Furthermore you have not deducted any costs (ie fuel) from that amount.

Mercdriver

parking_question_chap wrote: »

Mobile mechanics do not charge £150 an hour labour and they do not teleport from job to job. A significant proportion of their time is driving for which they are not earning anything. Furthermore you have not deducted any costs (ie fuel) from that amount.

The Freds live on their own planet...

snilloct1957

I recently had the cambelt and water pump changed on my Renault Scenic 1.6l, 16v petrol engine, which is less complicated than an Audi, and my friendly independent mechanic turned the job down. I ended up taking it to a French engine specialist that charged £380. It is not a job for an amateur and I wouldn't attempt it, and I've been around car engines for 40 years. Put it in the hands of a competent garage.

seatbeltnoob

I do most of the work in my car. I do the brakes, wishbone bushes, strut replacements, inner & outer tie rods, radiator swap, window regulators, I wouldn't do the cambelt, it's easy to get it wrong. dual cams need to be aligned, and the cams need to be aligned with the other thing in the engine.

have to take the engine mount off and prop up the engine by the sump to get access to the cambelt area, then you have about 3 inches of space to work with. you can do it if you know the steps involved, but for the first timer with no experience of doing this job it will be daunting.

Mechanics make it look easy on youtube, they just mark the spot with tipex but being an amatuer you're going to need the specialist locking tools so the cams and cranks dont turn slightly as you put the belts back on.


fortunately for me, the indy mechanic charged me £280 for cambelt change, parts (full set in water pump) is £120 or therabouts. so labour isnt excessive.

gord115

ryanm8655 wrote: »

Hi there,

Looking to get the cambelt and water pump changed on a car I recently purchased but having only had new cars previously I’m not sure what is a reasonable price.

Audi quoted £745, which seems excessive.

I’ve had another quote for £385 but no idea if this is reasonable either? It’s from an independent, figure it’s not a job that requires a specialist.

Thanks,
Ryan

£385 sounds about right to me after having a couple of Skodas done a few years ago. Make sure they use good quality parts though.

longwalks1

not much help but I have a 3.0 v6 petrol A4, and recently paid £750 at a local specialist for a new waterpump and cambelt. They had the car for 2 days to complete it as the whole front of the car has to come off.


Seems expensive, but I paid almost the same 5 or 6 years ago when it was done before

longwalks1

Ryanm8655, where are you based? My indy specialist who i use is in Hertfordshire, just north of the M25 if its any help

SHAFT

fred246 wrote: »

For any job you need to pay for parts and labour. The parts are about £80. The main dealers are obviously charging around £150 an hour labour. A mobile mechanic charging £150 an hour would be making £312k a year. So it's possible they could do the job for less.

No one works a 40 hour week, 52 weeks of the year.

tower

Clickmechic quotes about £380, but VAG specialist should be near that price. Can highly recommend one in Bishops Stortford/Chelmsford.

fred990

ryanm8655 wrote: »

Hi there,

Looking to get the cambelt and water pump changed on a car I recently purchased but having only had new cars previously I’m not sure what is a reasonable price.

Audi quoted £745, which seems excessive.

I’ve had another quote for £385 but no idea if this is reasonable either? It’s from an independent, figure it’s not a job that requires a specialist.



Thanks,
Ryan

£745 is excessive but VAG normally give two years warranty with timing belts/pump.
As others have said it varies a lot and is often on a special offer. I wonder if VW, Skoda or Seat would do it?
It's diy'able but a ton of work to get the plastics off and the lock carrier into the service position. It's not rocket science but definitely not a job for the feint hearted.