Timing belt Replacement?

[Andrewbrose]

Hi: I have a 5 year old T5 Ocean with only 17,000 on the clock. The timing belt should according to VW have been changed after 4 years, but since I had only recently bought the vehicle and in view of the very low mileage I ignored it. Now planning a 2000 mile trip around Scotland in May and wondering if I should get it replaced even so (and the water pump which they recommend at the same time). Can't get any considered view out of VW - they say that the belt deteriorates even when it is not being driven which sounds to me like a load of xxxxx. Any advice?? I know that this has been discussed in other threads, but asking anyway!

 

[WelshGas]

Hi: I have a 5 year old T5 Ocean with only 17,000 on the clock. The timing belt should according to VW have been changed after 4 years, but since I had only recently bought the vehicle and in view of the very low mileage I ignored it. Now planning a 2000 mile trip around Scotland in May and wondering if I should get it replaced even so (and the water pump which they recommend at the same time). Can't get any considered view out of VW - they say that the belt deteriorates even when it is not being driven which sounds to me like a load of xxxxx. Any advice?? I know that this has been discussed in other threads, but asking anyway!

Rubberised compound deteriorate with time, not just use. Your choice.

Likewise with tyres. If yours are original they might have plenty of tread but the tyre compound deteriorates from exposure to UV and the elements from the date it was made. Check for cracks etc:.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

I had mine replaced along with the waterpump plus ancillary belt and rollers at 19000 and 4 years. I asked them to keep the used parts so I could check them for wear. They were perfect with no sign of wear whatsoever. The van has now done 24000 miles and supposedly due for another replacement next year with an estimated mileage of 27000 miles. So 8000 miles between belt and WP changes. Will I be having it changed? Er NO. The recommendations for belt changes on mainland Europe are double the miles compared to the UK.
When you have the van serviced next get them to give the belts a good check to see if there is any sign of wear, then make your mind up.

 

[B J G]

A few years ago I bought an Audi which hadn't had a belt change and did a DIY replacement. The old belt looked good but having a belt failure on a Vauxhall at only 18 months from new didn't give much confidence in ignoring the need to replace it.
The belt looked pristine insitu but once removed and turned inside out it was apparent that there was cracks at every 'cog/tooth' --point being that you can't really check the condition of a belt when it is fitted.

I had mine replaced at 4 years and 19,000 miles. Decision partly made on the basis that I'll keep the Cali for a few more years and will have the peace of mind that it has been done,.

I presume that you intend to keep the Cali for a few years and would do it at some point so why not now or as soon as the cost can be justified.

 

[Andrewbrose]

Thanks everyone for the very helpful input. Looks like I should bite the bullet and replce the belt: a mechanic friend advised the same. Not so sure about the water pump though - the logic seems to be that while your'e in there you may as well do the water pump at the same time, but do water pumps wear out / corrode by sitting doing nothing?

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks everyone for the very helpful input. Looks like I should bite the bullet and replce the belt: a mechanic friend advised the same. Not so sure about the water pump though - the logic seems to be that while your'e in there you may as well do the water pump at the same time, but do water pumps wear out / corrode by sitting doing nothing?

Short answer, yes. When they fail the replacement involves dismantling the Cambelt.

 

[vmaxkiddy]

Is there a replacement schedule for water pumps on non cam belt engines ?

 

[Bellcrew]

A few years ago I bought an Audi which hadn't had a belt change and did a DIY replacement. The old belt looked good but having a belt failure on a Vauxhall at only 18 months from new didn't give much confidence in ignoring the need to replace it.
The belt looked pristine insitu but once removed and turned inside out it was apparent that there was cracks at every 'cog/tooth' --point being that you can't really check the condition of a belt when it is fitted.

I had mine replaced at 4 years and 19,000 miles. Decision partly made on the basis that I'll keep the Cali for a few more years and will have the peace of mind that it has been done,.

I presume that you intend to keep the Cali for a few years and would do it at some point so why not now or as soon as the cost can be justified.

Obviously your 18 month old Vauxhall had a defective belt and/or that model requires a replacement cam belt every 9 months just to be safe.
In engineering terms either the belts and the related ancillaries can be just checked visually during the bi annual service and changed at 210,000 km/ten years, the normal routine just 22 miles south of Dover.
Or after a few premature failures replace them at random shorter intervals depending on the whim of VWUK and of course the dealers accountant.
All this at your considerable expense, mustn't be too careful.

 

[Andrewbrose]

Short answer, yes. When they fail the replacement involves dismantling the Cambelt.

Ok thanks

 

[WelshGas]

Obviously your 18 month old Vauxhall had a defective belt and/or that model requires a replacement cam belt every 9 months just to be safe.
In engineering terms either the belts and the related ancillaries can be just checked visually during the bi annual service and changed at 210,000 km/ten years, the normal routine just 22 miles south of Dover.
Or after a few premature failures replace them at random shorter intervals depending on the whim of VWUK and of course the dealers accountant.
All this at your considerable expense, mustn't be too careful.

All depends on how much the garage charges for a proper inspection of the cambelt and accessories over 10 yrs compared with a cambelt and water pump change?

 

[hirsty]

I just had the same dilemma on my 65-plate early T6 Beach as it's only done 35K miles - as it's my only vehicle and held a remarkable amount of it's original purchase price (and I'll not be changing it until I can get a factory Buzz California!) I too decided to bite the bullet.

Cambelt & water-pump change done, along with the MOT & Service = not much change from a grand ...

Very likely I shall now start taking it to an independent VW / Audi group Specialist if I can find one locally.

 

[Paul_W]

Here’s the service manual from our 2012 180 BiTDi from my understanding 210,000 KMs is the service interval. This is also what they use in Europe for cambelt changes. Only UK seem to insist it should be every 4 years. I’m sure on another thread someone had an email from the belt manufacturer, Gates I think, stating belts had something like a 10 year service life before any age deterioration. I did change mine at 4 years and garage gave me the old parts, belt looked brand new, I’m not changing at 4 years next time. I decided to err on the side of caution and go with 8 years. We only do about 6K miles per year.

PS I check our cambelt visually each year, easy job, pop 2 clips pull the cover back and inspect the belt. Takes 10 minutes.

 

[clarinetbcn]

Cambelt change.

One + factor for the Dealership doing the job is the 2 yr Warranty on Parts & Labour. Is that worth £80 for 2 yrs. I’m not sure it is unless the parts and labour would cover the cost of a repairing a mashed engine in the event of failure inside 2 years?

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Andrewbrose]

Thanks all for the input. Some food for thought here!

 

[studioTUNGSTEN]

If you are not too sure, just do it for your peace and much-loved T6.

 

[DavidofHook]

My Cali is now 10 years old, with us from new, and I have had two Cambell and water pump changes, on the basis that, if it did go and the engine got wrecked how stupid I would feel, never mind the cost for the engine. And it does give me peace of mind, as studio TUNGSTEN said.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

My Cali is now 10 years old, with us from new, and I have had two Cambell and water pump changes, on the basis that, if it did go and the engine got wrecked how stupid I would feel, never mind the cost for the engine. And it does give me peace of mind, as studio TUNGSTEN said.

How may miles on the clock?

 

[DavidofHook]

How may miles on the clock?

Not high.55000

 

[Cali Phillip]

My Cali is now 10 years old, with us from new, and I have had two Cambell and water pump changes, on the basis that, if it did go and the engine got wrecked how stupid I would feel, never mind the cost for the engine. And it does give me peace of mind, as studio TUNGSTEN said.

Tend to agree both ways, sounds excessive but if it failed its a whole lot more cash.
My Skoda with PD TDI had the interval changed to x miles or 4 years after they had some failures I believe, great engines.
Anyway I expect if you have extended warranty there is little choice to keep the warranty, being serviced in accordance with manufactures guidance.

 

[Paul_W]

My Cali is now 10 years old, with us from new, and I have had two Cambell and water pump changes, on the basis that, if it did go and the engine got wrecked how stupid I would feel, never mind the cost for the engine. And it does give me peace of mind, as studio TUNGSTEN said.

I’ve realised this is what VW UK trade on, that’s exactly why I got mine done, at the end of the day £500 for cambelt and water pump is better than £9K for a new engine! Logical yes! And yes I can’t argue with that but it’s total BS! We are being ripped off an exploited. I’ve learnt my lesson now and happily going my own way. Our running costs are now negligible and I feel all the better for it.

 

[WelshGas]

I’ve realised this is what VW UK trade on, that’s exactly why I got mine done, at the end of the day £500 for cambelt and water pump is better than £9K for a new engine! Logical yes! And yes I can’t argue with that but it’s total BS! We are being ripped off an exploited. I’ve learnt my lesson now and happily going my own way. Our running costs are now negligible and I feel all the better for it.

Like most Insurance, if you never claim.

 

[Paul_W]

Like most Insurance, if you never claim.

You’re correct, I’ve had house insurance for 25 years and never made a claim! Do I feel ripped off, no! Just the luck of the draw! But when the rest of the world says 210kms and only the UK says every 4 years without fail I think we’re being ripped off and taken for mugs. It’s surprising how well that works though, majority of people are lapping it up, just in case :-(

 

[Ozzy Pete]

If you put enough fear into punters they feel that they have to believe what they are told. After all it is VW UK that’s telling them. Even though they know what they are saying is total BS.
Probably no more than one in a million vehicles will have cambelt or water pump failures within a week of it being done. And More than 70% will never ever have a failure if the belt is never replaced in the vehicles lifetime.
VW UK are here to make money.UK California owners are the ideal cash cow.

 

[Cali Phillip]

If you put enough fear into punters they feel that they have to believe what they are told. After all it is VW UK that’s telling them. Even though they know what they are saying is total BS.
Probably no more than one in a million vehicles will have cambelt or water pump failures within a week of it being done. And More than 70% will never ever have a failure if the belt is never replaced in the vehicles lifetime.
VW UK are here to make money.UK California owners are the ideal cash cow.

Do the same transporter vans with same engines have the same change requirements?

 

[WelshGas]

Do the same transporter vans with same engines have the same change requirements?

Yes, and the same discussions.