Cam Belt Change requirement

[Ljb]

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.

thanks

 

[jayc001]

I had mine changed recently. 112k miles and 6 years. Only changed at that point as belt tensioner noise was worrying me. Had it been silent I would likely have waited a few more months.

 

[Curlynot]

Unless the belt is contaminated/damaged its often pulley failure that causes the belt to break, the idler pullies or tensioner bearings can dry out or fail and they only have to run a tiny bit out of alignment to wreck the cambelt.

 

[Ljb]

Just to update that after a bit of a challenging but calm discussion () they are now honouring the deal we had made and are replacing the cambelt and water pump

Thanks for everyone’s input on this, which has been really helpful and a great support!

 

[Rioja John]

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.

At my current usage it would take me 46 years and I would be well and truly gone before then, as I would have to reach the age of 120.

John

 

[AdL]

I had an Audi A4 Avant. Bought new. Did 246,000 miles and 13 years before the cam belt snapped. Wrecked the engine but by then the rest of the car was pretty much finished anyway.

 

[JIMIE_NW]

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.

Would you say that applies to new vans only (manufactured since the change came into place for UK)? Have the belts or anything changed for them to change the advice or have they just changed their minds?!

Mine has done 17,000 since the last change and just gone over 4 years... so under the old advice it should be changed, but not under the new advice.

Very confused

 

[JIMIE_NW]

Now VW has changed their cam belt guidance....

Would you say that applies to new vans only (manufactured since the change came into place for UK)? Have the belts or anything changed for them to change the advice or have they just changed their minds?!

Mine has done 17,000 since the last change and just gone over 4 years... so under the old advice it should be changed, but not under the new advice.

Very confused

 

[Bav]

Now VW has changed their cam belt guidance....

Would you say that applies to new vans only (manufactured since the change came into place for UK)? Have the belts or anything changed for them to change the advice or have they just changed their minds?!

Mine has done 17,000 since the last change and just gone over 4 years... so under the old advice it should be changed, but not under the new advice.

Very confused

The new guidance doesn't differentiate between new & old vans, so applies to all equally.

 

[DaveD]

Would you say that applies to new vans only (manufactured since the change came into place for UK)? Have the belts or anything changed for them to change the advice or have they just changed their minds?!

Mine has done 17,000 since the last change and just gone over 4 years... so under the old advice it should be changed, but not under the new advice.

Very confused

No, it applies to all Transporter T6's regardless of age. Your's doesn't need doing according to VW policy.
Edit - you could E Mail your nearest VW Van centre for peace of mind if you wanted and if you have a warranty that you need to protect.

 

[DXX]

8 years and 70K miles in on the original belt and water pump.
As posted before the switched, shrouded type water pump is the weak point, once it seizes the belt teeth are stripped off.
I don’t have the shrouded pump

 

[JDC]

I got mine done last month, van is 7 yrs old with 50k on. I got it for peace of mind really.

 

[JIMIE_NW]

No, it applies to all Transporter T6's regardless of age. Your's doesn't need doing according to VW policy.
Edit - you could E Mail your nearest VW Van centre for peace of mind if you wanted and if you have a warranty that you need to protect.

Thanks Dave. I've decided to wait another year and perhaps do it next year for peace of mind!

 

[Listy100]

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.

Sounds about right-a good compromise

 

[Jim Rey]

I was just about to get my cam belt done when VW announced that the cam belt change at 40,000 or4/5 years was no longer the case. However, now when I am driving my 6 year old T6 campervan @17,500 miles, I am always thinking about the cam belt. Each unusual wee noise I hear makes me ponder if something is happening.

Wonder how other owners feel, having spent £900 approx getting the cam belt done, when it wasn’t necessary… pissed off I expect.

Still haven’t given up on getting mine done early next year….cambelt paranoia