Cambelt + Water Pump Replacement - Official guidance

[Niknak]

Lol I don’t make the recommendations, maybe that I’m fixing vehicles all day I appreciate the need for regular proficient servicing, also it’s based on simple facts that manufacturers look at how many failures they have in different countries and adjust their warranties and schedules to suit, it’s a debate that goes round in circles and is obviously contentious, it’s like how many people have thier home boiler services every year the ones that don’t will still moan if it does work or leaks in the mean time,

 

[Crispian22]

Having this quandary myself,my van is a 16 plate but has done only 10k,what would folks recommend?

 

[Niknak]

Still do it piece of mind i say

 

[Nigel W]

Having this quandary myself,my van is a 16 plate but has done only 10k,what would folks recommend?

Same situation I was in, I decided to get it done just for piece of mind.

 

[Crispian22]

Its a keeper so probably will just to play it safe

 

[clarinetbcn]

Having this quandary myself,my van is a 16 plate but has done only 10k,what would folks recommend?

I would take the wider view: VW has made very specific recommendations about this, as has the manufacturer of the belt itself, which are respected in every international market with the solitary exception of the UK, where the private importer has decided to make some quick cash. I think it's important not to let the fact that you reside in the UK prevent you from following the manufacturer's recommendations. As mentioned above, my 2014 Beach with 89,000 km just had an official service, with cam belt inspection included.

I think it's significant that when members of the VW California Club tried to get VWUK to explain why the UK is the only market that recommends a cam belt change at 4 years, even at the sort of low milage that your your vehicle has, they were answered in writing that "that information is not available to be shared."

 

[Dilbert]

"Peace of mind", "play it safe". EXACTLY what the VWUK want YOU to feel.

Use science and engineering to guide you, Not marketers and accountants.

 

[.50]

It just goes to show what a powerful persuader fear is!.

They've applied a ridiculous time limit to the timing belt change leading people to believe there must be some mechanical reason behind it.

This is leading a van owner to have is belt changed at TEN THOUSAND MILES.

My vans only done 17,000 miles and is now past 4 years old. I inspect it yearly at service together with the auxiliary belt and will NOT be changing it until VW,s official times and milage.

The forum has a Dutch member who has exactly the same van spec as mine in terms if engine/gearbox, and I know he is not stressing about his cambelt at 4 years.

Gotta be more Dutch.

(obviously this is my choice, and it'll be me that faces the consequences if I'm wrong).

 

[Crispian22]

What is the official VW stance regards age or mileage,I presume the belt is the same part worldwide?

 

[DXX]

What is the official VW stance regards age or mileage,I presume the belt is the same part worldwide?

It’s all in this thread, just go back and read. VW UK is a separate entity as an importer of VWs.

 

[Crispian22]

Right oh

 

[clarinetbcn]

It’s all in this thread, just go back and read. VW UK is a separate entity as an importer of VWs.

Thank you. Several of us have made an effort to post documentation of both VW's and the belt manufacturer's official recommendations on this thread, and we appreciate it if people actually read it and take advantage of the work that has been done for Forum members.

 

[clarinetbcn]

Thank you. Several of us have made an effort to post documentation of both VW's and the belt manufacturer's official recommendations on this thread, and we appreciate it if people actually read it and take advantage of the work that has been done for Forum members.

What is disturbing is VWUK's refusal to either follow the manufacturer's recommendation or explain why they don't.
Re: I think it's significant that when members of the VW California Club tried to get VWUK to explain why the UK is the only market that recommends a cam belt change at 4 years, even at the sort of low milage that your your vehicle has, they were answered in writing that "that information is not available to be shared."

 

[Flyingspanner]

My brother’s T5.1 was due a belt on time (low mileage) but developed a nasty noise when starting, luckily he was intelligent enough to turn it straight off and get it recovered to our repairer.
Look at the pump in the images, the bearing had failed causing the impeller to catch on the block.
It must have been very close to jumping the timing belt teeth which would have resulted in catastrophic engine damage.
I always replace the pump at belt change time, this reminds me why.

 

[clarinetbcn]

My brother’s T5.1 was due a belt on time (low mileage) but developed a nasty noise when starting, luckily he was intelligent enough to turn it straight off and get it recovered to our repairer.
Look at the pump in the images, the bearing had failed causing the impeller to catch on the block.
It must have been very close to jumping the timing belt teeth which would have resulted in catastrophic engine damage.
I always replace the pump at belt change time, this reminds me why.

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Hi, what engine? Is there any difference in the water pump between a 5.1 140 and 180?

 

[Flyingspanner]

His 140 CAAC engine uses the same pump as the 180 biturbo CFCA engine fitted in theT5.1.

T6 engines use the dual stage pump which is totally different but has its own problems more so on the cars as they tend to stick in the closed position causing overheating if engine revs above 2000 rpm.

 

[Niknak]

Same pump in the t6 in the 102 by the way not all have the horrible electrically controlled pump

 

[Flyingspanner]

A check of ETKA will keep you straight. The early engines used in the T6 from the T5.1 dont. I listed the engines which do somewhere on the forum.

 

[DXX]

As far as I can determine there is no reason why a non shrouded pump cannot be fitted at next scheduled pump renewal.

 

[bootsam]

Our van goes for its MOT 23/12. Its done 33k (ish) and its a 2016 T32 204 DSG 4M. I am unsure whether to do a service with a cambelt considering we bought it March and I doubt if I've done 2K on it since due to lockdown. I got it from SMG Tonbridge and they will do the MOT. They enquired about whether we need a service (no notification on dash) and a cambelt change. Would one be due?