Servicing my Cali

[Anthony1]

I have my California booked in for an interim service, and cam belt and water pump.

However, one of my sons is a trained motorcycle mechanic, the other studying car mechanics at collegae. they both work on their own cars/bikes etc.

I have decided to get the service done at home and save a lot of money.

The van has just passed 53,000 miles.

Does anyone know of any pitfalls in home servicing?

We may get the dealer to do the cam belt and water pump.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Only downside is that it might affect resale value, but if you plan to keep for a while then saving on dealership services should offset this.

Cambet + Water pump will be around £550 at VW.

(We had service last year, brake fluid, cambelt + pump done, was £1000 ttl approx...seems alot but next service only due in 2 yrs time and then should be around £300ish).

 

[Anthony1]

Only downside is that it might affect resale value, but if you plan to keep for a while then saving on dealership services should offset this.

Cambet + Water pump will be around £550 at VW.

(We had service last year, brake fluid, cambelt + pump done, was £1000 ttl approx...seems alot but next service only due in 2 yrs time and then should be around £300ish).

Thank you

I will be keeping the van for some time to come - many byears.

I have been quoted £814.80 (inc VAT) for service, cam belt and water pump.

I think we will service it ourselves, oil, filters, brake fluid and check everything. That should save a couple of hundred.

 

[GSX1300R]

I had my cam belt, water pump ancillary rollers and belts done at a local garage for £320 with top quality parts...He gave me all the original parts he took off, no wear whatsoever...Did the service myself. Top Quality oil. Bosch filters (air fuel and oil) off EBay. And I litre of brake fluid about £110 ish.. so all in £430. Couldnt do the cambelt as haven’t got all the tools but none of it is rocket science... Surely a vehicle that is serviced properly at home is better than a vehicle that’s not been serviced at all or poorly by a garage..

 

[Anthony1]

I had my cam belt, water pump ancillary rollers and belts done at a local garage for £320 with top quality parts...He gave me all the original parts he took off, no wear whatsoever...Did the service myself. Top Quality oil. Bosch filters (air fuel and oil) off EBay. And I litre of brake fluid about £110 ish.. so all in £430. Couldnt do the cambelt as haven’t got all the tools but none of it is rocket science... Surely a vehicle that is serviced properly at home is better than a vehicle that’s not been serviced at all or poorly by a garage..

I have been quoted £210 for the service, parts and labour and VAT and £600 for the cam belt and water pump, parts, labour and VAT.

I think I will make some more enquiries.

 

[Elmo3]

A good source for parts is Murrays Direct, who have an eBay shop. I bought Bosch oil, air, fuel and cabin filters for about £50 (the fuel is the expensive one on mine). Add in 2 x 4l of Castrol Edge Titanium from Opie oils for about £60 and you are saving a big chunk and know it will be done properly! Just keep all the parts receipts for when you sell to show that proper parts and oils have been used.

 

[Anthony1]

A good source for parts is Murrays Direct, who have an eBay shop. I bought Bosch oil, air, fuel and cabin filters for about £50 (the fuel is the expensive one on mine). Add in 2 x 4l of Castrol Edge Titanium from Opie oils for about £60 and you are saving a big chunk and know it will be done properly! Just keep all the parts receipts for when you sell to show that proper parts and oils have been used.

Thank you

What do you mean the fuel is the expensive one on yours? Is yours a petrol vehicle?

 

[Elmo3]

Thank you

What do you mean the fuel is the expensive one on yours? Is yours a petrol vehicle?

It‘s the 2.5 TDI 130, the fuel filter is about £30 out of the £50.

 

[GSX1300R]

It‘s the 2.5 TDI 130, the fuel filter is about £30 out of the £50.

Fuel filters are quite expensive anyway..

 

[GSX1300R]

I have been quoted £210 for the service, parts and labour and VAT and £600 for the cam belt and water pump, parts, labour and VAT.

I think I will make some more enquiries.

Don’t forget to add in the brake fluid change..Can’t remember how much I was quoted by VW but it wasn’t cheep..And that’s the easiest to do..Also the satisfaction of knowing it’s been done correctly..

 

[flying banana]

i've been on with doing my own service. done the oil and filter. pollen filter, air cleaner was ok so put that back. but. does anyone know if the fuel filter has 2 pipes to it or 4 ? and does it live under the header tank ? also how do you guys prime the engine fuel system after its changed ?

 

[GSX1300R]

i've been on with doing my own service. done the oil and filter. pollen filter, air cleaner was ok so put that back. but. does anyone know if the fuel filter has 2 pipes to it or 4 ? and does it live under the header tank ? also how do you guys prime the engine fuel system after its changed ?

Different engines have different fuel filters.Mine had 4 pipes and I primed it with clean fuel before putting it in..Starts up straight away and no need to bleed it.

 

[GSX1300R]

i've been on with doing my own service. done the oil and filter. pollen filter, air cleaner was ok so put that back. but. does anyone know if the fuel filter has 2 pipes to it or 4 ? and does it live under the header tank ? also how do you guys prime the engine fuel system after its changed ?

Primed it by using a syringe that way you can fill it right up before putting the pipes back on..Takes a while depending on the size of the Syringe.

 

[flying banana]

Primed it by using a syringe that way you can fill it right up before putting the pipes back on..Takes a while depending on the size of the Syringe.

Cheers. That's a good plan. I need to have a look at mine before I order it then. Ii think it's the 2 pipe version. I'll buy some fuel in a can too. Good tip.
Just had a look and spotted it behind the header tank. 2 pipes.

 

[flying banana]

does anyone know if the bosch 2092 filter fits ok ?

 

[flying banana]

well i did the filter. fairly straightforward. coughed a bit on startup but all good. bosch 2092 filter fits .