MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: Mandy on May 21, 2011, 10:21:11 pm

Title: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: Mandy on May 21, 2011, 10:21:11 pm

I've got my 40k service coming up very soon, I have already had my 4 spark plugs changed by JKM a few months back so won't need them doing again. So, obviously I'll be asking the garage to deduct the price of 4 spark plugs off the service price but how much labour should I be asking them to knock off, if any?

Also, I won't be replacing the cam belt as I had this done under warranty last year, but, the water pump wasn't replaced at that point. I did ask them if I should replace it then as everything was apart but they told me it wasn't necessary and it was a different job anyway... So, should I be replacing the waterpump now, if not, how long should I wait before replacing it?

:smiley:


Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: bacillus on May 21, 2011, 10:34:31 pm
For the water pump, it incurs about the same labour costs as having your cam belt changed so IMO leave it alone and only touch it if it fails. Usually it tends to fail shortly after a belt change so you may be ok seeing that was done last year.
Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: Mandy on May 21, 2011, 11:02:39 pm
For the water pump, it incurs about the same labour costs as having your cam belt changed so IMO leave it alone and only touch it if it fails. Usually it tends to fail shortly after a belt change so you may be ok seeing that was done last year.

So you mean it would've failed by now? I think I will probably leave it, just don't know how long for. I had a look in my service book and it says 120k before a cambelt change.  :confused: I swear different manuals say different things.  :stupid:
Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: edd666999 on May 21, 2011, 11:04:36 pm
i changed my spark plus in 5mins and i have zero mechanical knowledge
Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: bacillus on May 21, 2011, 11:27:59 pm
IMO you should leave it till your next cam belt change i.e. 4 years or 60k miles since it was last done if it doesn't fail before then.
Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: 182_blue on May 22, 2011, 10:01:07 am
Personally i would have paid for the part price to have the water pump done at the same time as the cambelt warranty work
Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: vRS Carl on May 22, 2011, 10:24:39 am
It makes sense to get the Water Pump changed at the same time as the Cambelt. It's a £40ish part and if you point out to them that as they will already have the belt off anyway no extra work is involved (apart from swapping of the pumps themselves) then they usually won't charge labour for it.

Personally i wouldn't want to wait until a Pump failed, potentially causing the belt to then fail and subsequently causing more damage and costs.
Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: h4rdy on May 22, 2011, 10:29:55 am
i changed my spark plus in 5mins and i have zero mechanical knowledge

Do you want a job? I have 100% mechanical knowledge and it took me half an hour :signLOL:
Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: Mandy on May 22, 2011, 04:45:53 pm
Personally i would have paid for the part price to have the water pump done at the same time as the cambelt warranty work

Yes I thought this too, that was why I asked them when they were about to do the cambelt. They tried to tell me that it was a different job. I should've argued against that but have probably left it too late now.  :sad1:

i changed my spark plus in 5mins and i have zero mechanical knowledge

Do you want a job? I have 100% mechanical knowledge and it took me half an hour :signLOL:

I might try asking them to knock off half an hours labour then.  :grin:

Thanks. :happy2:
Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: jmspear on May 22, 2011, 05:47:37 pm
Hi mandy, they were being a little naughty when they did your cambelt under warranty, because as has been said to change the pump while doing the belts is part only cost (usually) unfortunatley to change it now will be similar labour charge to doing a cambelt, not sure of cambelt part charges, but you will be looking at probably almost £300!! assuming that cambelt parts ~ water pump cost, water pump is usually a preventative change, there is not a service interval on the pump so I would leave alone, won't drop £300 just to get it changed!.

As regards plugs, H4rdy, where do i sent my CV  :wink: as it only took me about 10 mins - seriously, the cover is off anyway as I have a CAI, and using cable ties, pulled off the coil packs and then a couple of mins per plug with a plug spanner, push packs back on, jobs a good un  :happy2:

So unfortunatley I don't think you will save any worthwhile money on labour, only on the cost of the plugs.

As regards the belt service interval, different editions of the service manual have different interval's, the general accepted better safe than sorry wisdom is 60k miles, me being ultra safe changed mine at 55k miles!!
Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: h4rdy on May 22, 2011, 07:37:07 pm
Haha I don't rush and I checked the gaps and adjusted because they weren't spot on.

Check 3 times fit once.
Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: Saint Steve on May 22, 2011, 09:02:27 pm
Peter cooper have a well written script, as when mine was done, was told the same. Something along the lines of it already has a newer uprated Plastic impeller water pump which wasnt prone to failure as the earlier types.

Whether theres any truth....who knows, but im not worried.Will get mine changed in 2 years time when the cambelts up for another replacement.
Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: stealthwolf on May 22, 2011, 09:14:43 pm
How old's the car now Steve? Or did you have cambelt trouble at some point?
Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: Saint Steve on May 22, 2011, 09:15:56 pm
I had my cam tensioner and Belt changed 18 months ago under warranty.

Car is now 4 years , 3 months old
Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: QD MBE on May 22, 2011, 09:27:23 pm
If at any time you go into the cam belt area, for peace of mind i always changed the Water pump.  Saves having to take it all apart again at a later date, and pay twice for the privilege.

I had a Water pump fail on my MK4, it wasn't leaking, only symptom was the car overheating regularly.  The Impellor is plastic, and due to the multiple hot/cold cycles, becomes very brittle, and starts to break up, once  a small piece breaks off, it accelerates the whole process due to the impellor now being out of balance.

I replaced it with an after-market (German/Swedish) brass impellor pump, and vowed to always replace if having ther Cam belt replaced.

For the sake of a few £ on top of the bill, it is a no brainer for peace of mind, but as always your choice.

A few pics of the sort of damage I found.  (not my pics)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2F0903%2Fjason-p%2Fpiccies091.jpg&hash=aa566bd3768664f3bec1aeafa996c0ab420ef2e4)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wak-tt.com%2Fservice%2FDSCN8038.JPG&hash=a461d284e0047fb7148115d2b5fe4f9b01da410f)

Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: Mandy on May 22, 2011, 09:44:45 pm
Thanks for the replies but I think some of you may be missing the point here...

I had the cambelt and tensioner changed under warranty last year. I am now due the 40k service, I was just wondering if I need to replace the waterpump now or whether it can wait til the next cambelt change?

If I was having my cambelt changed now then yes, of course I'd change the water pump too.
Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: QD MBE on May 22, 2011, 09:46:53 pm
Leave it be.

If you were having the belt changed with this service, I would say get the pump changed.
Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: Mandy on May 22, 2011, 09:55:24 pm
Leave it be.

If you were having the belt changed with this service, I would say get the pump changed.

 :happy2:

Peter cooper have a well written script, as when mine was done, was told the same. Something along the lines of it already has a newer uprated Plastic impeller water pump which was prone to failure as the earlier types.

Whether theres any truth....who knows, but im not worried.Will get mine changed in 2 years time when the cambelts up for another replacement.

Do let me know if it fails before then so I know to change mine.  :laugh:




Title: Re: How long does it take to change spark plugs?
Post by: Saint Steve on May 23, 2011, 06:58:47 am
Leave it be.

If you were having the belt changed with this service, I would say get the pump changed.

 :happy2:

Peter cooper have a well written script, as when mine was done, was told the same. Something along the lines of it already has a newer uprated Plastic impeller water pump which was prone to failure as the earlier types.

Whether theres any truth....who knows, but im not worried.Will get mine changed in 2 years time when the cambelts up for another replacement.

Do let me know if it fails before then so I know to change mine.  :laugh:






 :innocent: