T5.1 Cam Belts.

[ian210]

Does anybody know the life expectancy of the Tdi 140 cam belts. I have just had a Health Check done on my van and they are saying that the belt and water pump need changing. The van is 6 years old and has done 35k. Are they just trying to frighten one, or is it necessary to change?

 

[calikev]

It should have been done 2 years ago

 

[Meoncoast]

Snap - as above 2 years ago

 

[ian210]

Interesting, I didn't know that. Not been mentioned before on the annual Health Checks. Bring back the days of chains and gear driven cams.

 

[pjm-84]

Yes, mine needs to be done this year.

 

[TripleBee]

Ok? Who changes cambelts every 4 years?
Mine is 9 years old, only 130000 km and will be changed as stated in the booklet: 210 000 km.
Waterpump of mine is still ok. No leaks.
The new cambelts are glass fibre reinforced, so longer interval for change.

 

[Hotel California]

Ok? Who changes cambelts every 4 years?
Mine is 9 years old, only 130000 km and will be changed as stated in the booklet: 210 000 km.
Waterpump of mine is still ok. No leaks.
The new cambelts are glass fibre reinforced, so longer interval for change.

Do you go to VW dealer in Belgium ? Did they comfirmed this ? 210.000km
I bought my 2012 SE in Belgium at VW dealer but never went back there , most on here will know i go to Holland with my Cali at CCN Amersfoort .
There i also suggested a belt change and they told me there's no need to ...Cali turns 7y soon 60.000km.
Asked a good friend who is for 25y automecanic on all sorts cars and also said not to worry it does not needs change yet.
Are lastingterms of the belt difrrent in the UK , part from miles/km

 

[WelshGas]

Told by 3 Dealers, 80,000 miles ( 130,000km) or 4 yrs whichever comes first. So mine was done at 4 yrs and fortunately 80,000 miles.

Totally your choice. £550 or so for Cambelt + Water Pump every 4 years or a very, very big bill if it should snap.

 

[TripleBee]

If I will remember tomorrow, I will have a look at the service manual that came with my Cali.
My former Golf IV needed belt change at 90000 km (60000 mi?).
If I don't come back tomorrow, remind me about it.

 

[calicasas]

Ok? Who changes cambelts every 4 years?
Mine is 9 years old, only 130000 km and will be changed as stated in the booklet: 210 000 km.
Waterpump of mine is still ok. No leaks.
The new cambelts are glass fibre reinforced, so longer interval for change.

Totally agree. The U.K. Is the only country in Europe that has such short intervals between Cambelt changes. My Cali is 8 years old, 40k miles and a recent inspection revealed it was in perfect working order. Life of belt also helped as vehicle is kept in temperature stable internal garage... I was told by VW Cali specialist garage in northern Spain 210 000 km also... I feel perfectly comfortable at not replacing mine just yet....

 

[2CV67]

In France, my 2013 Cali will need cam belt changing after 210,000km with no time limit.
This is confirmed verbally by my dealer & confirmed by email from VW Customer-Relations.
They do add that the belt will be checked at every 2-year service & could need replacing if found damaged.

 

[Bellcrew]

In France, my 2013 Cali will need cam belt changing after 210,000km with no time limit.
This is confirmed verbally by my dealer & confirmed by email from VW Customer-Relations.
They do add that the belt will be checked at every 2-year service & could need replacing if found damaged.

Obviously VWUK specify an inferior cam belt for UK vans, it's the only rational explanation?

 

[WelshGas]

Obviously VWUK specify an inferior cam belt for UK vans, it's the only rational explanation?

Or could be due to the Driving experience in the UK compared to the continent. More vehicles , greater congestion, shorter journeys. And different climate.

 

[TripleBee]

Unless in the UK serviceplan is stated something else, I guess it will be also just 210 000 km (130000mi?).
Or the Germans think they need some more cash from the UK?

 

[AlanC]

Unless in the UK serviceplan is stated something else, I guess it will be also just 210 000 km (130000mi?).
Or the Germans think they need some more cash from the UK?
View attachment 44093

That is interesting, I was told 140K miles or 4 years, whichever is sooner. Did mine at over 4 years as there was a national shortage of water pumps at the time. In theory, it is now due again.
But is it!!!

Alan

 

[pjm-84]

Yep, Its always a mileage or age whichever comes sooner. Checking the cambelt every 2 years sounds expensive assuming that they strip the front of the vehicle down to properly inspect it and the tensioner.

 

[TripleBee]

The thing is that you can't really see if the belt is due to be changed or not. Today you can look and see nothing. The next day it may snap.

That is interesting, I was told 140K miles or 4 years, whichever is sooner. Did mine at over 4 years as there was a national shortage of water pumps at the time. In theory, it is now due again.
But is it!!!

Alan

Do you have your serviceplan? The booklet they fill out when your car had it's service?

 

[TripleBee]

Yep, Its always a mileage or age whichever comes sooner. Checking the cambelt every 2 years sounds expensive assuming that they strip the front of the vehicle down to properly inspect it and the tensioner.

In this case, there is no time interval. Only mileage (km). Checking is not that hard. You open the top case of the cam, turn one wheel while in gear, the belt rotates and you can check.

 

[TripleBee]

That is interesting, I was told 140K miles or 4 years, whichever is sooner. Did mine at over 4 years as there was a national shortage of water pumps at the time. In theory, it is now due again.
But is it!!!

Alan

Waterpump would only be needed when it leaks. Like I said before, my car now has 130.000 km (+- 81000mi) and the waterpump shows no leaks, so I guess it will hold untill 210 000 km (130000 mi).

 

[AlanC]

Water pump would only be needed when it leaks. Like I said before, my car now has 130.000 km (+- 81000mi) and the water pump shows no leaks, so I guess it will hold until 210 000 km (130000 mi).

The standard VW dealer procedure in the UK is that, as the water pump is buried under the cam belt cover, it is advisable to change it at the same time as the belt. Saves a lot of extra costs should it fail after the belt has been changed.

Could be argued that it is just money making on the part of the dealership, but as a water pump is relatively cheap, it makes sense to me.

Perhaps we in the UK are less trusting of vehicle manufacturers... Belt and Braces comes to mind...

OK, I will get my coat!

Alan

 

[shudycamps]

Does anybody know the life expectancy of the Tdi 140 cam belts. I have just had a Health Check done on my van and they are saying that the belt and water pump need changing. The van is 6 years old and has done 35k. Are they just trying to frighten one, or is it necessary to change?

I had mine changed when Campi was 4yrs old and just under 30,000 miles. My dealership who have been fantastic recommended it and I accepted their advice. The Cali with all its gubbins is more than just a transporter. Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Denzilgts]

Had mine changed at local Vw specialist, van will be 4yrs old in August. Better getting it done rather costly to let it snap

 

[westfalia]

I would never ever change mine

 

[calicasas]

Unless in the UK serviceplan is stated something else, I guess it will be also just 210 000 km (130000mi?).
Or the Germans think they need some more cash from the UK?
View attachment 44093

Or VW UK think they need more money out of us.... It is VW UK that set the interval dates..

 

[Calibus]

If it helps, looking at it from a different perspective, a Golf 2ltr tdi cam belt snap cost a friend £2200 to repair using a non VW garage, F1 I think he said he used.