California cambelt and service history

[JamesF]

I’ve had my second hand T6 Coast for nearly a year now so it’s coming to the time when I’d be thinking of a service. It’s a 21 plate - my previous van was a T5 transporter with cam belt replacement every four years. Does this apply to the T6?
The service record seems to be held online. How can I access that and can an independent garage check and update that record?

 

[Bellcrew]

I’ve had my second hand T6 Coast for nearly a year now so it’s coming to the time when I’d be thinking of a service. It’s a 21 plate - my previous van was a T5 transporter with cam belt replacement every four years. Does this apply to the T6?
The service record seems to be held online. How can I access that and can an independent garage check and update that record?

For some reason UK VW has been forced to use the same replacement criteria as the rest of Europe. No time limit and over 100 k miles required to change the belt for all T6 and probably T5 engines.

 

[JamesF]

Thanks - that’s interesting- I spent years worrying about the cambelt schedule and it was just a scam?

 

[colintfcolintf]

i'll probably get Retro Resus to do mine when its due James.
i dont know how far from you they are

 

[JamesF]

Not too far - but I have a pretty reliable local garage that’s I’ve been going to for years

 

[DessyParkerWigWam]

I’ve had my second hand T6 Coast for nearly a year now so it’s coming to the time when I’d be thinking of a service. It’s a 21 plate - my previous van was a T5 transporter with cam belt replacement every four years. Does this apply to the T6?
The service record seems to be held online. How can I access that and can an independent garage check and update that record?

The worry is - you don't actually know if it needs replacing or not - and if it snaps - you are screwed! My cam-belt recently snapped in my VW Golf - 4 yeas old and 40,000 miles ...... the car a write-off ...... made me straight away think to get new cam-belt in my T6 - 5 years old and 40,000 miles - maybe way to cautious - but the alternative is unthinkable!

 

[B J G]

I’ve had my second hand T6 Coast for nearly a year now so it’s coming to the time when I’d be thinking of a service. It’s a 21 plate - my previous van was a T5 transporter with cam belt replacement every four years. Does this apply to the T6?
The service record seems to be held online. How can I access that and can an independent garage check and update that record?

Get the engine front crank shaft seal and area checked for any oil leaks first as the cam belt and pulleys need to come off to fix an oil leak. Combined job could save paying twice for hours of labour.

 

[crookrise]

Interestingly I have mine booked in for the 9th at a local garage who has done all my servicing on two vans since 2010.
One is a 2.5 with a chain so no issues re cam belt
Other is a 1.9 at 80,000 and 10 years old.
I did some research when it was indicated a change was needed 6 years ago and found the attached article. I reckon as the engine is used across all VWs I'd go with 5 years.