Cambelt + Water Pump Replacement - Official guidance
- Thread starter Cham13
- Start date
-
- Tags
- cam belt cambelt change
Mark72
Member
That’s what I thought thanks, there’s a lot on info on this that’s all different.
Work backwards.....
All of this begs two questions.
1) How many T6 owners (and owners of many vehicles across the VAG UK range) changed their cam belts unnecessarily due to VAG UK guidelines, and wasted £100s?
2) We were also recommended to change the water pump after 4 years as it probably would not last until the 8 year cambelt change. What is the failure rate of the water pump (and did we waste even more cash)?
1) How many T6 owners (and owners of many vehicles across the VAG UK range) changed their cam belts unnecessarily due to VAG UK guidelines, and wasted £100s?
2) We were also recommended to change the water pump after 4 years as it probably would not last until the 8 year cambelt change. What is the failure rate of the water pump (and did we waste even more cash)?
Four years for a water pump? What are VW smoking?
I come from the 5 cylinder volvo world, where the manufacturer recommends water pumps aren't routinely replaced (SKF bearings and metal impellers, failure is all but unheard of) unless there's evidence of leaking or rough bearings, yet VW advise to change it more often than your underwear!
I come from the 5 cylinder volvo world, where the manufacturer recommends water pumps aren't routinely replaced (SKF bearings and metal impellers, failure is all but unheard of) unless there's evidence of leaking or rough bearings, yet VW advise to change it more often than your underwear!
Hi all, after coming from a 2010 T5.1 and having fitted two timing belt kits I’m now onto a 2020 T6.1 and thought I should think about getting it done at 4 years now.
After reading though the first and last few pages of this post (thanks to all for the information) I rang VW Hereford and they confirmed there is no age limit on belts anymore just 140,000 miles.
This seems far too long to me so I’ll probably get it done next year (5 years) as it currently only has 34,500 miles on it.
After reading though the first and last few pages of this post (thanks to all for the information) I rang VW Hereford and they confirmed there is no age limit on belts anymore just 140,000 miles.
This seems far too long to me so I’ll probably get it done next year (5 years) as it currently only has 34,500 miles on it.
Last edited:
Do water pumps have a weep hole to tell you it’s going my Honda gold wing had this indicator
I would think ten years is a good point to change
I would think ten years is a good point to change
did they bleed the cooling system properly after, you need to use vcds or similar to bleed up the low and high temp portions and should vaccum bleed.
Agree! At least I can turn my undies inside out and they’re good for another
Dances with dealers
New Member
Just to add fuel to this fire, I contacted my local "stealership" (see below)
They confirmed VW's milage only update but still said I should get it done at 4 years!
Given the severity of a timing belt break, I can't help feel they are playing on owners anxiety.
I had the recommended belt and water pump change done in 2021 so I'm due another this year.
My 2016 T6 has only done 47,000miles, so I think I'll hold out a while longer as it's cost me £2K for an MOT and still has an oil leak that the dealership are going to charge me £100 to diagnose when it's in for service in a couple of weeks.
...........................................................................
Good Morning,
Hope you're good.
VW have changed their service schedule for the timing belt to every 140,000 miles but we'd always recommend from the dealer to have it replace every 4 years.
Any other questions please let me know.
Thanks,
Louise
They confirmed VW's milage only update but still said I should get it done at 4 years!
Given the severity of a timing belt break, I can't help feel they are playing on owners anxiety.
I had the recommended belt and water pump change done in 2021 so I'm due another this year.
My 2016 T6 has only done 47,000miles, so I think I'll hold out a while longer as it's cost me £2K for an MOT and still has an oil leak that the dealership are going to charge me £100 to diagnose when it's in for service in a couple of weeks.
...........................................................................
Good Morning,
Hope you're good.
VW have changed their service schedule for the timing belt to every 140,000 miles but we'd always recommend from the dealer to have it replace every 4 years.
Any other questions please let me know.
Thanks,
Louise
|
I don't think Louise knows what she is talking about...
@Dances with dealers. TBH at that age and mileage I'd be taking it to a good independent - from various reports about dealerships on here, they're not all magicians (or even honest and competent mechanics / technicians if even some of those reports are true).
The same is true of many independents.
It a case of finding a garage that is decent and trustworthy, and the name over the door has little to do with that.
With my Volvo the dealer has been outstanding and worth the cost, but other cars I've had have fared better at independent marque specialists than dealers.
Dances with dealers
New Member
Agreed
I've done that as well (I am a Fifer after all) When I got the last TB replacement I negotiated a discount in line with a local mechanic and I've had all the recent work done by local independents. But TBH with the VW maintenance plan for older vehicles, there is no real financial incentive and VW pick it up, drop it off and clean it!
Let's hope they don't use their usual cleaning methodology for the paintwork - a bucket of grit lovingly applied with a wire brush.
