By any chance does anyone have the locking tools to change the cam timing belt on the 1.9 TDi engine they would be prepared to lend me please? Can't bear to pay a garage 300 sheets to change the damn thing since I can get the kit (including water pump) for about 70 quid from one of our esteemed site sponsors. But buying the tool would be another 50 quid.

Happy to collect or send a courier. Cheers. Dom.

Done mine with a 6mm drill bit and a blob of paint to make sure the crank hadn't.moved

Ah, now there's an idea. Can I ask how much bother it was? It's in a Skoda Superb (VW Passat) so the engine isn't transverse like the Octavia or Golf. It's on the front of mine so I'm actually wondering about the air con radiator. Water rad is not a big deal but de-gas and re-gas would be a nuisance.

Cheers.

Mine was a Golf, which was a PITA. Engine mount wouldn't come out of the hole

IIRC, the whole front end (lights, bumpers, rads etc) all slide forward by 5-6 inches or so, giving reasonable access to replace the belt

Cheers Mikey. Reckon I'll have a go then.