Driving to work in Ipswich this morning, I merged with the A120 and noticed a red light, flashing away happily on my dash. Seemed my temp gauge was idicating a healthy 120 degrees... I pulled into the first Park spot I saw and began to cry 
Anyway, gave it 10 mins to cool off and checked my fluid levels.. All OK. Then I phoned the boss and let her know I wouldn't be in on time. Next up, the AA!
He came and went after doing one or two tests including a fault diagnosis check. Nothing showed up, although my dasdhboard temp gauge wasn't showing the same as his laptop's read-out.
He put it down to a sensor malfunction and stated that actual coolant levels were considerably lower than my dash would have me believe. He recommended I take it to a garage anyway.
I rung around and everyone was busy. Ended up at Hayes Skoda, near me. They were fantastic.. got the car in straight away and ran some diagnostics. No faults. Told me to return if and when the issue returned. 2 minutes down the road, it's back. Feels like the car is in limp-mode... no response, virually no boost etc. Temp gauge 120 and the red light again.
I returned to them and after a test drive, the mechanic decided the water pump may be the cause of the problems... snapped or impaired impellar is the likely cause. Seems plausible; I've read other threads on here stating the innadequacy of the plastic part, and recommending brass/steel impellars.
Anyway, I finally found a local garage that can supply and fit a brass impellar water pump. (Others could fit one, but couldn't garauntee brass components).
Therein likes my question: He's stating that it will need a new cam belt at the same time, apparently because the pump is driven from the cam belt and releasing the tension may result in the belt not being able to achieve the same level of tension again, once refitted.
He's stating £150 parts/labour for a brass impellar pump and cam belt.
Does this seem a decent price? :S Are there any other less-than-obvious causes for the problems my car is having?
Thanks guys...
Anyway, gave it 10 mins to cool off and checked my fluid levels.. All OK. Then I phoned the boss and let her know I wouldn't be in on time. Next up, the AA!
He came and went after doing one or two tests including a fault diagnosis check. Nothing showed up, although my dasdhboard temp gauge wasn't showing the same as his laptop's read-out.
He put it down to a sensor malfunction and stated that actual coolant levels were considerably lower than my dash would have me believe. He recommended I take it to a garage anyway.
I rung around and everyone was busy. Ended up at Hayes Skoda, near me. They were fantastic.. got the car in straight away and ran some diagnostics. No faults. Told me to return if and when the issue returned. 2 minutes down the road, it's back. Feels like the car is in limp-mode... no response, virually no boost etc. Temp gauge 120 and the red light again.
I returned to them and after a test drive, the mechanic decided the water pump may be the cause of the problems... snapped or impaired impellar is the likely cause. Seems plausible; I've read other threads on here stating the innadequacy of the plastic part, and recommending brass/steel impellars.
Anyway, I finally found a local garage that can supply and fit a brass impellar water pump. (Others could fit one, but couldn't garauntee brass components).
Therein likes my question: He's stating that it will need a new cam belt at the same time, apparently because the pump is driven from the cam belt and releasing the tension may result in the belt not being able to achieve the same level of tension again, once refitted.
He's stating £150 parts/labour for a brass impellar pump and cam belt.
Does this seem a decent price? :S Are there any other less-than-obvious causes for the problems my car is having?
Thanks guys...
