Cam Belt Change requirement

[jimc91]

old thread I know but the way i would look at this is how long you keeping the van?

say 10 years;
change every 4 you would have paid for a new belt twice and be selling a van with 2 years left on the belt which wouldn't put a buyer off,
change every 5 years you are selling a van that you have either paid for one new belt and it needs a change now (buyer will want a discount) or you have paid twice and the van has a brand new belt on (might help put the price up a bit I guess),
change every 7 you have paid once but the new belt will have done 3 years when you come to sell and a buyer would probably argue there is only one year left (on VWs 4 year cycle) and look to push price down,
change every 10 years and you are either selling a van with a 10 year old belt (buyer will want a discount to cover the cost of a new one) or you would have just put a new belt on, and will saved 50 quid a year over the 10 years of ownership and and the new owner gets the benefit of the new belt.

So I guess over a 10 year ownership period either change every 4 years and pay twice or change every 10 years and only pay once but live with the risk of a failure. Personally I would rather have a new belt on my van when I'm driving it rather than fitting one for the next owner and not take the risk of an expensive failure and have factored the price in for next year.

 

[DXX]

If somebody wants a van they’ll buy it whether it needs servicing or not, there’s no obligation to discount because it’s due a service.
I don’t remember an occasion when I have visited a main dealer or independent specialist where they haven’t recommended additional work, it’s how they generate business.
By the time the worry merchants have got you replacing everything in case it breaks, taking out extra warranty on your washing machine, life insurance, pet insurance, paying for your funeral in advance etc your wallet will be significantly lighter.

 

[Texxaco]

Hi @JOG. I use Vantech VW at Uckfield. Van specialists, they are friendly and very knowledgeable. Thoroughly recommend, and won’t be going anywhere else now.

Volkswagen Commercial Specialist -Home - Van Tech VW

Volkswagen Commercial Specialist in Uckfield, East Sussex, Van Tech provide high quality Servicing Repairs, Transporter Styling & Van Sales.

www.vantechvw.co.uk

I use Vantech in Runcorn, the chap saw that I had recently changed the oil and filter and on my oil change and inspection service didn’t change it, pleasantly surprised indeed. Bill was reduced too. Nothing but good feedback on Vantech.

 

[Vaughan]

Hi everyone just joined as i have just purchased a T6 2016 plate.
I have a question, i spoke to VW and asked about the cam belt renew, they told me it needs replacing either at 120k miles or 4 years.
It had a service at 74k it now has 77k should i renew the cambelt yet.

I’ve had the same t6 vw since new, now done 60,000 miles, time for a belt change?

 

[JDC]

Yeah just had my done, to me it feels better. Mines only 52k and an early T6. I had no records of it being done so got it for peice of mind really.

 

[rod_vw]

Cam belt change - I believe VW have now changed their recommendation to 120,000miles or 4yrs whichever comes soonest.

 

[TEESIXY]

Cam belt change - I believe VW have now changed their recommendation to 120,000miles or 4yrs whichever comes soonest.

VW removed the time element a year or so, which brought it in line with the rest of europe. Have they re introduced it ?

 

[DaveD]

Cam belt change - I believe VW have now changed their recommendation to 120,000miles or 4yrs whichever comes soonest.

No, it's not every 4 years anymore, it's 140K miles and no time limit.

Cambelt + Water Pump Replacement - Official guidance

Then what about the water pumps and alternator belts that we replaced at the same time as they were 'service items' and likely to fail before 8 year cambelt change? When do we replace these now? To me it's a no brainer, do auxilliary belt and water pump at the same time as the cam belt.

www.t6forum.com

Post 713.

 

[Ljb]

Hi, advice please! I bought a 2015 T5 last week and the garage agreed to change the cam belt and water pump as part of the deal as it was last changed in 2020. I’m due to collect the van next week.

They phoned today to say it does not need to be done as it has only done 18,500 miles since 2020. Is this reasonable? Looking online I’ve found recommendations for changing 60,000 to 80,000 or four to five years which would be this year. They are going back on the agreement we made and which we shook hands on.

I would be interested to find out what other people think, thanks

 

[Bav]

VW recently changed their position on cambelt replacement and now recommend the cambelt is changed every 140k (they also dropped any time-based criteria).

Cambelt + Water Pump Replacement - Official guidance

Had the below from VW on FB. Waiting on an email from them to confirm what the correct guidance is. May take 48 hours. Will post when received.

www.t6forum.com

I'm sure most on here would caution against leaving a belt for so long - especially for vans with low annual mileage - but that is now VW's official position.

 

[Sackmycook]

Duplicate thread !!!

 

[Ljb]

Sorry yes, unintentional

 

[Chippie1]

It’s great news for dealers as that used to be a fairly standard practice to haggle on vehicles 4 or so years old! If they’ve agreed to do it though I would be inclined to push that regardless of what vw now state.It Would future proof it for you and save you some money down the line

 

[Ljb]

Thanks for all the advice, very much appreciated!

 

[jayc001]

Doesn't need changing but it's several hundred pounds of parts and labour so if they agreed on it then either they should discount or offer alternative like engine service etc.

 

[Ljb]

Thanks for the reply and suggestions. I’ve just contacted VW to be absolutely sure (I like to have it in writing!) and they’ve said as already discussed here 140,000 with no time stipulation.

Out of curiosity do people really leave it for 140,000 as it does seem a very long time - I expect to do 10,000 miles a year ish but I wouldn’t like to wait all those years before changing it.

 

[jimc91]

Thanks for the reply and suggestions. I’ve just contacted VW to be absolutely sure (I like to have it in writing!) and they’ve said as already discussed here 140,000 with no time stipulation.

Out of curiosity do people really leave it for 140,000 as it does seem a very long time - I expect to do 10,000 miles a year ish but I wouldn’t like to wait all those years before changing it.

No one on here has left it for 140,000 miles yet as the guidance has only recently changed, I guess the question should be; is anyone prepared to leave it for 140,000 miles before changing one, I wouldn’t

 

[Bav]

At current rate of usage, it'd take over 20 years for my van to get to 140k. Needless to say, I won’t be waiting that long before changing the cambelt.

 

[Vanderlust]

VW gone from one extreme to the other. I had to have my belt done under the previous advice at 4 yrs 40,000 miles and the “used” belt was indistinguishable from the new one being fitted so clearly premature. But for me the new advice is from experience with other vehicles too long. Given the variables in driving style temperature extremes etc, I suspect a compromise of 80,000 miles or 6/7 years will be my next change if my 204 ps hasn’t eaten it self by then.

 

[Ljb]

No one on here has left it for 140,000 miles yet as the guidance has only recently changed, I guess the question should be; is anyone prepared to leave it for 140,000 miles before changing one, I wouldn’t

Yes you are right I did not word the question correctly and was not specific - how many years would people leave before changing the cambelt regardless of mileage?