Cam Belt Change requirement

[Mooncat]

So these no oe parts what parts warranty do you get on these just asking ? No great mark up on these either if you go to TPS for instance, in regards to air, fuel , dsg, and pollen filters do you know if the particulate size is the same a genuine as my time in a dealer and experience is you’ll be handed a much higher bill if a tech sees pattern parts and comes to do a repair, cheapest can be the most expensive in the long run, in reality pattern parts are not really cheaper these days, i had a customer wanting shocks doing the other day and they wanted to supply their own bits from a supplier and they were £30 more for unknown brand compared to genuine

They are usually warranted for the life of the product based on the recommended replacement intervals by that manufacturer. It shouldn't be any different to the fitting of the same belt with the additional VAG part number added. That said, it's usually only the belt that is warranted once correct fitments and no contributory factors to the failure are identified. This is where you find out the integrity of your garage!

Ref filters, I use either Mahle or Mann (preferably Mahle) as those are the ones used by VAG in the initial build although they are very basic for our engines - no worry about thread quality, non return valve or by-pass valve placement etc on our oil filters.

I'm not suggesting for a second to skimp on the quality of the parts used and happily spend more money on premium brand oil and service parts instead of shiney side steps and spoilers. I used to work for an automotive OEM and actually approved suppliers' manufacturing processes for the parts they were going to supply to my employer - the supply base included both Gates and Dayco. I'm very particular on filters, especially fuel filters and will happily pay double the price of a Blue print, Wix, Comline, Fram etc to get a Mahle.

If you can get VAG parts for the same price as the Gates, Davco, SKF, Mahle etc parts then great. I'm sure your customers appreciate it.

 

[Niknak]

They are usually warranted for the life of the product based on the recommended replacement intervals by that manufacturer. It shouldn't be any different to the fitting of the same belt with the additional VAG part number added. That said, it's usually only the belt that is warranted once correct fitments and no contributory factors to the failure are identified. This is where you find out the integrity of your garage!

Ref filters, I use either Mahle or Mann (preferably Mahle) as those are the ones used by VAG in the initial build although they are very basic for our engines - no worry about thread quality, non return valve or by-pass valve placement etc on our oil filters.

I'm not suggesting for a second to skimp on the quality of the parts used and happily spend more money on premium brand oil and service parts instead of shiney side steps and spoilers. I used to work for an automotive OEM and actually approved suppliers' manufacturing processes for the parts they were going to supply to my employer - the supply base included both Gates and Dayco. I'm very particular on filters, especially fuel filters and will happily pay double the price of a Blue print, Wix, Comline, Fram etc to get a Mahle.

If you can get VAG parts for the same price as the Gates, Davco, SKF, Mahle etc parts then great. I'm sure your customers appreciate it.

Yep I follow your point but what I’m saying if I buy and fit genuine and that part fails vw will replace and fit

 

[Mooncat]

Yep I follow your point but what I’m saying if I buy and fit genuine and that part fails vw will replace and fit

So a local VW dealer would carry out the repair for a part you fitted in an independent garage?

 

[Niknak]

So a local VW dealer would carry out the repair for a part you fitted in an independent garage?

Yep parts warranty, I used it recently when I had a failed brake light switch, they took it in looked at it confirmed switch failed fitted it and no charge also , I’m not an independent garage this was me fitting vw parts

 

[Mooncat]

Yep parts warranty, I used it recently when I had a failed brake light switch, they took it in looked at it confirmed switch failed fitted it and no charge also , I’m not an independent garage this was me fitting vw parts

That in itself means it's worth fitting certain VAG genuine parts for a DIYer - normally you would rely on the garage to cover the fitting labour so if you did it yourself, you're doing the job all over again. I'm just thinking of the EGR that was replaced on our Yeti 4x4 a couple of months ago - front subframe off, o/s drive shaft off, prop shaft off, cat/dpf off, transfer box off just to get to it. Have you got a link to where this is stated as it could be really handy for those labour intensive parts.

 

[Niknak]

That in itself means it's worth fitting certain VAG genuine parts for a DIYer - normally you would rely on the garage to cover the fitting labour so if you did it yourself, you're doing the job all over again. I'm just thinking of the EGR that was replaced on our Yeti 4x4 a couple of months ago - front subframe off, o/s drive shaft off, prop shaft off, cat/dpf off, transfer box off just to get to it. Have you got a link to where this is stated as it could be really handy for those labour intensive parts.

Just contact a local dealer and enquire about parts warranty if the part is at fault it’s covered

 

[Niknak]

I’m not saying your not believing I’ll try and look for the invoice work record they gave me and you’ll see the labour cost as zero

 

[Niknak]

You have to just think why is it your fault if you fit something and it fails why should you as a consumer have to do the job over again simple really

 

[Howzat]

You have to just think why is it your fault if you fit something and it fails why should you as a consumer have to do the job over again simple really

I'm fairly sure a VW dealer would try to say the timing belt was not fitted correctly if not fitted by them.

For the belts, they have a set of approved suppliers and approved parts (PPAP process) and those that have seen what has been removed at the first cambelt change will typically see either Gates or Dayco names on the belts.

That's what I thought which is why my earlier post included a Gates kit. The Meyle kit is marked as OEM quality and is a well respected brand.

Just out of interest does anyone know the cost of the replacement kit from VW or TPS?

I've also just watched a YouTube vid showing a cam belt change which is quite involved as the air filter housing is removed along with hoses then the pulleys and the water pump are also changed out so 2 hours is good going. I wouldn't complain if someone charged 3 hours labour after seeing the vid so £200 labour is what I'd expect to pay at a non stealer garage.

Yes. Some might say I might be trying to scrimp but that's not the case. I balk when I see quotes of £600 because I know we're being poked in the bum so I'm just looking for a fair price for a proper job. We do it with builders. plumbers, etc so why not with this too?

Having said all that I'd be tempted to take this job to a dealer if they quoted £500 for the peace of mind that would bring warranty wise.

 

[Niknak]

I'm fairly sure a VW dealer would try to say the timing belt was not fitted correctly if not fitted by them.



That's what I thought which is why my earlier post included a Gates kit. The Meyle kit is marked as OEM quality and is a well respected brand.

Just out of interest does anyone know the cost of the replacement kit from VW or TPS?

I've also just watched a YouTube vid showing a cam belt change which is quite involved as the air filter housing is removed along with hoses then the pulleys and the water pump are also changed out so 2 hours is good going. I wouldn't complain if someone charged 3 hours labour after seeing the vid so £200 labour is what I'd expect to pay at a non stealer garage.

Yes. Some might say I might be trying to scrimp but that's not the case. I balk when I see quotes of £600 because I know we're being poked in the bum so I'm just looking for a fair price for a proper job. We do it with builders. plumbers, etc so why not with this too?

Having said all that I'd be tempted to take this job to a dealer if they quoted £500 for the peace of mind that would bring warranty wise.

I posted the price I paid in the other cambelt whingeathon thread lol

 

[Niknak]

I posted the price I paid in the other cambelt whingeathon thread lol

I paid £127 genuine cambelt kit and water pump

 

[Howzat]

Can't argue with that, cheers.

 

[Mooncat]

I'm fairly sure a VW dealer would try to say the timing belt was not fitted correctly if not fitted by them.



That's what I thought which is why my earlier post included a Gates kit. The Meyle kit is marked as OEM quality and is a well respected brand.

Just out of interest does anyone know the cost of the replacement kit from VW or TPS?

I've also just watched a YouTube vid showing a cam belt change which is quite involved as the air filter housing is removed along with hoses then the pulleys and the water pump are also changed out so 2 hours is good going. I wouldn't complain if someone charged 3 hours labour after seeing the vid so £200 labour is what I'd expect to pay at a non stealer garage.

Yes. Some might say I might be trying to scrimp but that's not the case. I balk when I see quotes of £600 because I know we're being poked in the bum so I'm just looking for a fair price for a proper job. We do it with builders. plumbers, etc so why not with this too?

Having said all that I'd be tempted to take this job to a dealer if they quoted £500 for the peace of mind that would bring warranty wise.

Agreed - some of the quotes on here are ridiculous for what is actually a fairly simple job to do. Very good access once the air cleaner box has been removed. If you turned up at a VW dealer with your T6 on the back of a flatbed after the valves and pistons had been smacking seven shades of $~@$ out of each other two weeks after you fitted a belt you had bought over the counter from them, I'd be very surprised if their immediate reaction was to order in a new long engine and fit it f.o.c. Belt failure is usually secondary to something else such as a seized water pump or debris thrown up from the road which has taken out the aux belt and then the timing belt. The tensioner design on these makes it difficult not to tension them up correctly so anyone who has done timing belts on other vehicles will probably find these a joy to work on.

If anyone is twitchy about timing belt failures, have a look under your engine to see if it came with a full under tray (I believe many vans came without these). If you can see your sump you might want to have a look to get hold of a T5 / T6 under tray. It could be the best £50 quid you spend on your van (although if it does it's job properly, you'll never actually know!). Look up 7E0805685A

 

[DaveD]

If anyone is twitchy about timing belt failures, have a look under your engine to see if it came with a full under tray (I believe many vans came without these). If you can see your sump you might want to have a look to get hold of a T5 / T6 under tray. It could be the best £50 quid you spend on your van (although if it does it's job properly, you'll never actually know!). Look up 7E0805685A

IMO that makes a lot of sense. Road debris doesn't care how old your cambelt is, anything that helps keep debris away from that bottom pulley area can only be a good thing.

 

[Keeff]

I have taken the under tray off my kombi to have work done and it makes a difference. It makes the cab a lot quieter and even more so with the windows open. It will be going back on as soon as all the work is done. If you don’t have one it must be a good upgrade.

 

[Denneny]

Perhaps some feedback on the condition of the removed belts at given age and mileage would be more helpful for those that are considering extending the service interval.

Just done mine today and the belt that came off looked pristine 36000 and 5 years old
I know looks are not all but its a start

 

[boxelder]

Just booked my EU5 T6 102ps 5 speed in for cam belt and water pump. 51,000 miles and 16 plate. What else should be done at the same time. It's an independent garage I've used for years and happy with him, but he's not VW specialist or anything. Presume pulleys/tensioners or whatever come with the belt kit? VW parts best? It's due oil service and inspection too.

 

[Niknak]

Just booked my EU5 T6 102ps 5 speed in for cam belt and water pump. 51,000 miles and 16 plate. What else should be done at the same time. It's an independent garage I've used for years and happy with him, but he's not VW specialist or anything. Presume pulleys/tensioners or whatever come with the belt kit? VW parts best? It's due oil service and inspection too.

Auxiliary belt and also coolant and set to the correct temp setting which from memory is -26

 

[Howzat]

VW parts safest option but good quality pattern parts should be fine imo.
Make sure the kit includes a water pump. There is a supposedly more robust non switchable version these days.
Maybe change the aux belts too. I think they get removed as part of the job and for the small additional cost is just more peace of mind.

 

[Glenn Board]

Hi, I have T6 140BHP diesel now covered 103,000 miles, I am trying to find out officially when the change of Cam Belt should be done, its been mainly motorway driving and regularly serviced, and never been advised to change it yet, but guess the belt is made to last a long time?

Thanking you in advance for your help.