High mileage experiences.

[Fredwyte]

hi,
I would be interested to know forumites experiences of running high mileages on the old 5 cylinder 2.5 130ps engine. mine is a 2009 and has done 104000 miles. No major problems to date and it still sounds good. I always use V power diesel and oil changes at double normal intervals. I suppose as its basically a Transporter van the unit should do 250,000 if looked after?
Anyone done really big mileage and if so what tends to go kaput?
.

 

[jts46]

Done 132,000 in my Cali with 5 pot engine, nothing too serious. Manifold changed due to crack, stubby drive shaft changed, gate couplings renewed, DMF exchanged and renewed. Oil is on a long life service. I have been very pleased with the vehicle apart from the roof front panel problems.

 

[sapto]

Hi Fredwyte

Mine is a 2005 2.5 TDI 96kw/131ps with 128k KM no problems so far (touch wood). I do my regular checks as mentioned on the boardcomputer display. I do around 12k KM/year and biught it 2015 with 94k KM on the clock.
I heard the 5 pot engine is great value (and powerful/reliable) and until now I can only agree to this opinion.

Have fun driving it!

 

[sidepod]

Are we talking high mileage here or just run in?

 

[jts46]

Are we talking high mileage here or just run in?

Just run in I think, maybe give it another 10,000 miles to make sure

 

[Gavinskii]

My 2.5 174 has just clicked over to 90,000 miles without any issues. As far as i know this cam chain engine is virtually bulletproof

 

[Mervyn kennedy]

hi,
I would be interested to know forumites experiences of running high mileages on the old 5 cylinder 2.5 130ps engine. mine is a 2009 and has done 104000 miles. No major problems to date and it still sounds good. I always use V power diesel and oil changes at double normal intervals. I suppose as its basically a Transporter van the unit should do 250,000 if looked after?
Anyone done really big mileage and if so what tends to go kaput?
.

I have 423 thousand kilometres on my t5 2005 all that happened is injectors leaked in to oil once starter and alltinator .have from new .great machine .have new t6 16 Reg and a 17 Reg on its way

 

[DM]

423 thousand

That's more like it.

 

[jts46]

I have 423 thousand kilometres on my t5 2005 all that happened is injectors leaked in to oil once starter and alltinator .have from new .great machine .have new t6 16 Reg and a 17 Reg on its way

Love it!!!

 

[sidepod]

Best so far. Good work.

 

[Deskman]

Mine has 329.000 km on the clock and according to the dealer 'nothing to worry about'. But that was after the auto gearbox exchange...
Longlive intervals but I might want to change that to regular.

 

[gingercamper]

Mine has over 300000 still a smooth runner and I trust her te get me anywhere i need. Only had two issues. The oil cooler coil went last year so that wasn't nice. Had to do a full engine flush and replace the part. And the non return fuel valve in the tandem pump has gone so that would meen a new pump but I will be getting around the starting issues with an inline valve when I get the time. With regular oil changes and use good quality fluids and premium fuel she will last forever.

 

[jts46]

@gingercamper is this Km or miles?

 

[gingercamper]

@gingercamper is this Km or miles?

Km sorry hahaha

 

[sidepod]

4or 5?

 

[Anthony1]

hi,
I would be interested to know forumites experiences of running high mileages on the old 5 cylinder 2.5 130ps engine. mine is a 2009 and has done 104000 miles. No major problems to date and it still sounds good. I always use V power diesel and oil changes at double normal intervals. I suppose as its basically a Transporter van the unit should do 250,000 if looked after?
Anyone done really big mileage and if so what tends to go kaput?
.

T5, 100,000 miles no problems.

 

[IanE]

T5 180(!) 100,000 miles. EGR valve replaced following breakdown in France. Other than that, no issues

 

[grumpyrs]

2016 T6 150. 165 000 miles with a few niggles, alternator replaced at 155k broken rear springs at the same. Just about to do a leaking crankshaft oil seal and front shocks/springs. This forum has been invaluable in helping me sort a lot stuff out and given me reassurance when things haven’t been right with it

 

[sapto]

2005 T5 130 hp, around 245k KM, some bits and bobs nothing serious. ATM we can not afford a new one so we just go in and on with our van.

 

[Deskman]

I'll update my 'kilometrage': It is almost 413.000

 

[Jude]

Mine is a Grandcali KAST MR130 FroAG8. No idea what that means. It's French - LHD
It's a GC 600 automatic 29/02/2020 and 43, 292 KMs on the clock & has just been diagnosed with an oil leak. I see no visible evidence of this. Howere there is a leak on a seal and they have to de-gut it: replace the distributer, alternator, water pump at a huge cost. I'm at my wits end with this vehicle, I am told this is premature - is this so?

 

[Jef4130]

2009 California SE with 2.5, 5 cyl 130 here with 170,000 miles. Had her 14 years and regularly serviced by a local guy for all 14 years, not VW. She's been my daily driver for the last 4 - 5 years with a 12 mile commute and is our families main vehicle. I always use the V power fuel as much as possible.
No major problems, 'touch wood' so far. Had some turbo issues that turned out to be a tiny leak on the intercooler, had a drive shaft break and the power steering needed a full on repair on the hydraulic side a couple of years ago but its as good as gold engine wise really.
I've used it for towing pretty much max. capacity on 12 hour drives into the Scottish Highlands.

Had a T4 with non turbo 2.5 previously and had a guy work on that saying these engines would be good for 400,000 miles no problem if looked after. His personal van was way above this.

 

[Christine Kirk]

hi,
I would be interested to know forumites experiences of running high mileages on the old 5 cylinder 2.5 130ps engine. mine is a 2009 and has done 104000 miles. No major problems to date and it still sounds good. I always use V power diesel and oil changes at double normal intervals. I suppose as its basically a Transporter van the unit should do 250,000 if looked after?
Anyone done really big mileage and if so what tends to go kaput?
.

Our 2002 T4 Tdi 2.5 103bhp has just clocked 300,000miles ( on the M1 near Luton earlier this evening) doesn’t use oil and is still on its original clutch & gearbox! Only bits that have worn out was the nylon ball and cup on the gear change, the secondary electric water pump casing corroded to the point it was leaking ,the power steering coolant pipe that goes across the front of the radiator, and it’s had a variety of other service items replaced like heater coils . A couple of broken rear spring and wheel bearings. Only on it’s second exhaust system which is an aftermarket stainless one, the battery is the second one fitted ( as it’s a caravelle it has a larger output alternator) steel wheels look a bit manky aind central locking can be temperamental! Drivers seat springs are nearly through the cushion, mean to sort it out soon! The caravelle was well engineered and is a great family member. We thought we had spent a fortune when we bought it as an ex demonstrator from York VW for £17500 in 2003 but it now looks like a bargain
Since last Friday we have done about 600miles all on one tank of fuel which is about 40 mpg, virtually all motorway itinerary.
Our experience is that high mileage is not the problem if the service schedule is followed; things like changing all fluids, and prompt attention to service / repairs.

 

[sidepod]

Our 2002 T4 Tdi 2.4 103bhp has just clocked 300,000miles ( on the M1 near Luton earlier this evening) doesn’t use oil and is still on its original clutch & gearbox! Only bits that have worn out was the nylon ball and cup on the gear change, the secondary electric water pump casing corroded to the point it was leaking ,the power steering coolant pipe that goes across the front of the radiator, and it’s had a variety of other service items replaced like heater coils . A couple of broken rear spring and wheel bearings. Only on it’s second exhaust system which is an aftermarket stainless one, the battery is the second one fitted ( as it’s a caravelle it has a larger output alternator) steel wheels look a bit manky aind central locking can be temperamental! Drivers seat springs are nearly through the cushion, mean to sort it out soon! The caravelle was well engineered and is a great family member. We thought we had spent a fortune when we bought it as an ex demonstrator from York VW for £17500 in 2003 but it now looks like a bargain
Since last Friday we have done about 600miles all on one tank of fuel which is about 40 mpg, virtually all motorway itinerary.
Our experience is that high mileage is not the problem if the service schedule is followed; things like changing all fluids, and prompt attention to service / repairs.

Precisely the reason I kept my 4 when we bought the 6.1.

 

[Christine Kirk]

Yes we also have a T6 California; it’s now done about 85k all good now but had some issues with it earlier; mostly leaking oil from both ends