Full Service, Cam Belt & Water Pump - anything else?

[WelshGas]

I was impressed with the sales dept. Guy Vincent was very helpful and we informed.I have had no problems with their service dept. but, like other VW agents, they ignored the Haldex even though it appears that it should be serviced each 20,000 miles.

My understanding is Haldex and DSG, 2 yrs or 40,000 miles.

 

[Drpps]

Which dealership is this?

Citygate Wooburn Green.
They also suggested some other items were in need of replacement. I had them inspected elsewhere and they were fine.
Planning to look for another dealership local to Oxford/High Wycombe but they are all a way away.

 

[Malcamp]

Hi All,
So my Beach is in next week with VW for full service, cam belt and water pump. Is there anything I should think of getting done?

To confirm - I've had the van since August (2014 plate) I've had the rear discs and pads done and a brake fluid change. Oh and clutch and fly wheel

It's done 57k miles.

Thanks in advance you beautiful people you

Definitely cambelt and definitely make sure they change the alternator belt at the same. Get confirmation of this, We just paid £7000 in Switzerland for a new cylinder head for our T5. Cambelt had been changed at the suggested time/mileage, but the alternator belt failed and bits of it got tangled in the cambelt... and the rest is history. If I were you, I'd get the alternator belt changed every 25,000 km, which is the recommendation from VW Switzerland. VWUK customer sevices are rubbish - when I said I thought the altenator + belt should be upgraded from what is used on the standard T5 transporter to accomodate the extra demands of the leisure batteries, they just said I shouldn't be running the leisure batteries down to low %ages. For God's sake, what are they for if not to be used. VW garages are not a lot a better - lots of showroom staff and everything behind closed doors, and unbelievably expensive. It's a nice vehicle (but not perfect), but I'll never buy anbother VW. Vote with your feet!

 

[Malcamp]

Definitely cambelt and definitely make sure they change the alternator belt at the same. Get confirmation of this, We just paid £7000 in Switzerland for a new cylinder head for our T5. Cambelt had been changed at the suggested time/mileage, but the alternator belt failed and bits of it got tangled in the cambelt... and the rest is history. If I were you, I'd get the alternator belt changed every 25,000 km, which is the recommendation from VW Switzerland. VWUK customer sevices are rubbish - when I said I thought the altenator + belt should be upgraded from what is used on the standard T5 transporter to accomodate the extra demands of the leisure batteries, they just said I shouldn't be running the leisure batteries down to low %ages. For God's sake, what are they for if not to be used. VW garages are not a lot a better - lots of showroom staff and everything behind closed doors, and unbelievably expensive. It's a nice vehicle (but not perfect), but I'll never buy anbother VW. Vote with your feet!

By the way, our local dealer is Hadwins in Lindale South Lakes - not impressed.

 

[Boris GC]

Interesting thread . What about first service...2 yrs / 20,000 mls whichever soonest??

 

[DMAS]

Definitely cambelt and definitely make sure they change the alternator belt at the same. Get confirmation of this, We just paid £7000 in Switzerland for a new cylinder head for our T5. Cambelt had been changed at the suggested time/mileage, but the alternator belt failed and bits of it got tangled in the cambelt... and the rest is history. If I were you, I'd get the alternator belt changed every 25,000 km, which is the recommendation from VW Switzerland. VWUK customer sevices are rubbish - when I said I thought the altenator + belt should be upgraded from what is used on the standard T5 transporter to accomodate the extra demands of the leisure batteries, they just said I shouldn't be running the leisure batteries down to low %ages. For God's sake, what are they for if not to be used. VW garages are not a lot a better - lots of showroom staff and everything behind closed doors, and unbelievably expensive. It's a nice vehicle (but not perfect), but I'll never buy anbother VW. Vote with your feet!

Thanks alot for this - I'm going to enquire what the cost of the alternator belt is this evening when I drop it off.
Thanks again

 

[larrylamb]

Definitely cambelt and definitely make sure they change the alternator belt at the same. Get confirmation of this, We just paid £7000 in Switzerland for a new cylinder head for our T5. Cambelt had been changed at the suggested time/mileage, but the alternator belt failed and bits of it got tangled in the cambelt... and the rest is history. If I were you, I'd get the alternator belt changed every 25,000 km, which is the recommendation from VW Switzerland. VWUK customer sevices are rubbish - when I said I thought the altenator + belt should be upgraded from what is used on the standard T5 transporter to accomodate the extra demands of the leisure batteries, they just said I shouldn't be running the leisure batteries down to low %ages. For God's sake, what are they for if not to be used. VW garages are not a lot a better - lots of showroom staff and everything behind closed doors, and unbelievably expensive. It's a nice vehicle (but not perfect), but I'll never buy anbother VW. Vote with your feet!

Sorry to hear this, did your Cali have the Alternator pulley recall work carried out? This recall and modified part is to stop the belt interfering with the cambelt on failure as far as i know. There have been several threads on here but this is one of them. https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/180-cambelt-tensioner-recall.20447/

 

[calicasas]

Hi All,
So my Beach is in next week with VW for full service, cam belt and water pump. Is there anything I should think of getting done?

To confirm - I've had the van since August (2014 plate) I've had the rear discs and pads done and a brake fluid change. Oh and clutch and fly wheel

It's done 57k miles.

Thanks in advance you beautiful people you

Does anyone have any approx prices for cambelt change / service?

 

[Alooohaaa]

Hello
Next week I am picking up a 2009 2.5tdi(96kw) with 96000KM and my first trip is to my trusted technician now I am creating a list of items I want him to change just to be on the safe/er side:

- Oil ( Any recommendation here?)
- Brake discs and pads
- Cambelt and alternator belt
- Water pump
- All 3 batteries (Any recommendation here or specs please?)
- Anything woth the 6speed manual to change? Clutch and flywheel are good.

What else? I want to make sure the car recieve the love... It is a hobby car so I want it to be functional and dont mind to do preventive repairs...

 

[WelshGas]

Hello
Next week I am picking up a 2009 2.5tdi(96kw) with 96000KM and my first trip is to my trusted technician now I am creating a list of items I want him to change just to be on the safe/er side:

- Oil ( Any recommendation here?)
- Brake discs and pads
- Cambelt and alternator belt
- Water pump
- All 3 batteries (Any recommendation here or specs please?)
- Anything woth the 6speed manual to change? Clutch and flywheel are good.

What else? I want to make sure the car recieve the love... It is a hobby car so I want it to be functional and dont mind to do preventive repairs...

OEM batteries are Varta La80 for Leisure and F21 for engine. They appear similar but one is sold for Leisure use and one for Engine, although you can fit the cheaper F21 for both, as some have.

 

[Azteccamper]

Hello
Next week I am picking up a 2009 2.5tdi(96kw) with 96000KM and my first trip is to my trusted technician now I am creating a list of items I want him to change just to be on the safe/er side:

- Oil ( Any recommendation here?)
- Brake discs and pads
- Cambelt and alternator belt
- Water pump
- All 3 batteries (Any recommendation here or specs please?)
- Anything woth the 6speed manual to change? Clutch and flywheel are good.

What else? I want to make sure the car recieve the love... It is a hobby car so I want it to be functional and dont mind to do preventive repairs...

Hi.
There is specific oil recommended for this engine - your mechanic should know this - 5w30 or 0w30 - he’ll need to check. Similarly pads and discs are a common change as is water pump. This engine (I believe) has no timing belts it is all gear driven. The DPF can be problematic if used on many short journeys and the springs can be a weak point.
But I loved mine - cracking sound and a great engine if looked after and serviced. Enjoy.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Does anyone have any approx prices for cambelt change / service?

About £1000 for Major service..inc cambelt, water pump, oil change, brake fluid etc.

..

 

[Ch1pbutty]

OEM batteries are Varta La80 for Leisure and F21 for engine. They appear similar but one is sold for Leisure use and one for Engine, although you can fit the cheaper F21 for both, as some have.

For UK - worth noting that ‘RAC’ batteries are made by Varta and carry same 5 year warranty, and work out cheaper. They can also code the battery to the vehicle IF required, and will reset any diagnostic codes that sometimes appear when the engine battery is changed.

 

[B J G]

Does anyone have any approx prices for cambelt change / service?

Just Cambelt & water pump £695.00 incl VAT, 5 weeks ago.

 

[Alooohaaa]

Hi.
There is specific oil recommended for this engine - your mechanic should know this - 5w30 or 0w30 - he’ll need to check. Similarly pads and discs are a common change as is water pump. This engine (I believe) has no timing belts it is all gear driven. The DPF can be problematic if used on many short journeys and the springs can be a weak point.
But I loved mine - cracking sound and a great engine if looked after and serviced. Enjoy.

thanks for the response. Car was used as a 5th car in a family out from the garage just for roadtrips. (Gantleman who is selling closes his business due to corona and needs money :/ ) So no short trips. Any way to tell if dpf is close to death? So no belts in the engine?

 

[Alooohaaa]

OEM batteries are Varta La80 for Leisure and F21 for engine. They appear similar but one is sold for Leisure use and one for Engine, although you can fit the cheaper F21 for both, as some have.

Thank you. I will go for the spec but prefer bosch products where possible. Thank you

thanks for the response. Car was used as a 5th car in a family out from the garage just for roadtrips. (Gantleman who is selling closes his business due to corona and needs money :/ ) So no short trips. Any way to tell if dpf is close to death? So no belts in the engine?

Maybe 4th or so...

 

[WelshGas]

Thank you. I will go for the spec but prefer bosch products where possible. Thank you

The size is very important, LxWxH especially to fit under Drivers seat LHD and rear Wardrobe.

thanks for the response. Car was used as a 5th car in a family out from the garage just for roadtrips. (Gantleman who is selling closes his business due to corona and needs money :/ ) So no short trips. Any way to tell if dpf is close to death? So no belts in the engine?

The DPF, in normal commercial use has a lifespan of about 120,000 +/- miles apparently, about 200,000km. They can be cleaned Apparantly by specialist firms.
There are OBD dongles that plug into the OBD port and work with an app on a smart phone that can read and reset Diagnostic codes that trigger Dashboard lights. Some can read the ash content of the DPF and force regenerations etc.
Carista and OBD11 come to mind but check they work with your T5 2009 vehicle.

 

[bob_summers]

Haven't read all posts so apologies if already mentioned. Glow plugs! I had one break off on my 1.9tdi, front of the van needs to come off to get the extractor tool in. I kept putting it off, just had the garage delete the fault code before the MOT each year (engine light on = automatic fail of spanish MOT). Not sure if it's a common thing but I'd really like to avoid it on the next van I get! Would it be worth asking them to pull them out and Copaslip (or whatever) the threads while they're in there?

 

[WelshGas]

Haven't read all posts so apologies if already mentioned. Glow plugs! I had one break off on my 1.9tdi, front of the van needs to come off to get the extractor tool in. I kept putting it off, just had the garage delete the fault code before the MOT each year (engine light on = automatic fail of spanish MOT). Not sure if it's a common thing but I'd really like to avoid it on the next van I get! Would it be worth asking them to pull them out and Copaslip (or whatever) the threads while they're in there?

Not a commonly mentioned problem.

 

[bob_summers]

Not a commonly mentioned problem.

Reassuring. Think it's just an unlucky van, everything I've had to change has been seized solid, wheel bearings were a nightmare.

 

[Alooohaaa]

Haven't read all posts so apologies if already mentioned. Glow plugs! I had one break off on my 1.9tdi, front of the van needs to come off to get the extractor tool in. I kept putting it off, just had the garage delete the fault code before the MOT each year (engine light on = automatic fail of spanish MOT). Not sure if it's a common thing but I'd really like to avoid it on the next van I get! Would it be worth asking them to pull them out and Copaslip (or whatever) the threads while they're in there?

Thanks Bob will add it to the list just to make sure

 

[Azteccamper]

thanks for the response. Car was used as a 5th car in a family out from the garage just for roadtrips. (Gantleman who is selling closes his business due to corona and needs money :/ ) So no short trips. Any way to tell if dpf is close to death? So no belts in the engine?

No belts or chains
Look out for driveshaft "clunk" when you pull away, usually means O/S driveshaft splines are worn
Cracked exhaust manifolds
Broken rear springs
ABS wiring near rear light area can break
Ensure it's been service on the correct oil otherwise camshafts wear
Wiring under the seat can corrode leading to faulty central locking
Side door handle area usually rusts
ARB links and bushes wear, clunk over bumps
Water pumps are internal and can leak into the sump, check oil/water levels carefully
Poor starting from cold can be injector seals, cylinder head faults or fuel pumps

Those are just some things I picked up in my ownership from reading various forums.
Again, this is worst case scenario.

 

[Alooohaaa]

No belts or chains
Look out for driveshaft "clunk" when you pull away, usually means O/S driveshaft splines are worn
Cracked exhaust manifolds
Broken rear springs
ABS wiring near rear light area can break
Ensure it's been service on the correct oil otherwise camshafts wear
Wiring under the seat can corrode leading to faulty central locking
Side door handle area usually rusts
ARB links and bushes wear, clunk over bumps
Water pumps are internal and can leak into the sump, check oil/water levels carefully
Poor starting from cold can be injector seals, cylinder head faults or fuel pumps

Those are just some things I picked up in my ownership from reading various forums.
Again, this is worst case scenario.

Thank you will write it down. I used obd amd app no faults. Going to do a prebuy check in vw amd than it goes to a trusted tech for a second check amd changing what needs to be changed... to be honest I am mentally prepared for an engine rebuild later down the road and kinda counting with a few thousand eur per year to repairs... maybe I will be pleasantly surprised maybe not... as far as it wont let me next to the road I am happy

 

[Azteccamper]

Thank you will write it down. I used obd amd app no faults. Going to do a prebuy check in vw amd than it goes to a trusted tech for a second check amd changing what needs to be changed... to be honest I am mentally prepared for an engine rebuild later down the road and kinda counting with a few thousand eur per year to repairs... maybe I will be pleasantly surprised maybe not... as far as it wont let me next to the road I am happy

If the engine is well looked after it will last without problems for years. Get it and enjoy it.
Pete

 

[bob_summers]

Thank you will write it down. I used obd amd app no faults. Going to do a prebuy check in vw amd than it goes to a trusted tech for a second check amd changing what needs to be changed... to be honest I am mentally prepared for an engine rebuild later down the road and kinda counting with a few thousand eur per year to repairs... maybe I will be pleasantly surprised maybe not... as far as it wont let me next to the road I am happy

I wouldn’t say an engine rebuild was inevitable! As far as I know the 1.9 and 2.5tdi engines are both good - however the 1.9 is generally cheaper to repair.
.
Depending on how it’s been driven you can have problems with the stub axle and the DMF wearing. The latter might cost you 1000eur to get replaced - you can check it by finding a steep hill or ramp and trying to reverse the van up it. A worn DMF will judder. It needs replacing as soon as any judder is detected - if not, the mounting holes elongate and then it is a pain to change. Eventually it explodes and breaks the housing!

That said, my 2010 1.9 has 230,000km now and hasn’t cost me anything more than a yearly service, cam belt/pump and that stuck glow plug.