Astra 1.8 4yr service - Cambelt change ?

I booked my wifes Astra 1.8 CD in for its 4 year service today. Whilst the
price quoted was a reasonable £140, they asked me whether I wanted to change
the cambelt as well as apparently it should be changed at 4 years. But this
is an extra £225.

As the car has only done 17,000 miles would you think it needed the cambelt
changed ?

 

Yes

 

I booked my wifes Astra 1.8 CD in for its 4 year service today. Whilst the

Definitely definitely and don't hang about. Don't change it and it WILL go
south and take the rest of the engine with it.

However, £225 sounds a bit steep. Going to a decent independent garage will
probably be much cheaper - insist they change the rollers and tensioner at
the same time (Vauxhall do a kit with all the bits).

 

Definitely do the cambelt. The consequences of it failing are horrendous.

With regards price, if it is a Vauxhall Main Dealer, ask them for a
Masterfit price. It should be cheaper and they probably do a deal that
includes an MOT.

--

Alan


New & used Vauxhall cars & vans, servicing, repairs & parts
www.steeles.co.uk

 

on an awefully long time!...on Astras I have had 3 cam belt failures and on
the newest 16 valve 1.6 ecotec engine it failed at 22000 miles, damaging 3
valves and the cylinder head....total cost circa £2k (done under the dealers
warranty because they fitted the belt even though the car was 4 years old)
I had mine changed by the dealer 2 months ago and the price was £190 because
they have to change everything at the business end, including auto tensioner
and idlers as well as the belt.
Do have it done...and only by the dealer to cover you in case of warranty.
The sooner we get rid of rubber bands and go back to chains the better as
far as I am concerned!

 

So what's the difference between a regular price and a masterfit price?

 

In our case about £50 but they vary. Masterfit prices apply to petrol cars
over 3 years old.

--

Alan


New & used Vauxhall cars & vans, servicing, repairs & parts
www.steeles.co.uk

 

So is there any difference in the work done or the parts used or the time
taken?

Or is it just another way of getting £50 more if the car is under 3 years?

 

Same parts, labour etc.

It is not so much a way of getting more money for new cars but a way of
retaining the older car market that drifts away from the Main Dealer
network.

Most people would prefer main dealer servicing but think we are far more
expensive than the alternatives. This is a way of competing whilst still
using genuine parts.

--

Alan


New & used Vauxhall cars & vans, servicing, repairs & parts
www.steeles.co.uk

 

I have taken everyones advice and booked the car in for a service and
cambelt change.

I tried another main dealer for a quote and their service was £225 along
with £225 for the cambelt change. They then told me it would be £8 to change
the battery in the key and £25 for something else, but I had lost interest
by that point! I was about to ask for their Masterfit price, but did'nt as
it looked like the total price would still exceed the original garage who do
not have Masterfit.

 

dont go to a vauxhall dealer!
i got a cambelt changed on my 1.4 for £50 with year guarantee, will
only be around £60 or £70 for youe car from a good garage

 

Sorry I don't get what you are saying. Do you mean a £60+ belt from a 'good
garage' gives a longer g/tee ?