Cambelt + Water Pump Replacement - Official guidance

[Mark72]

I have a 2018 T6 bought in 2019 brand new with 10 miles on the clock
It now has only done 35,000 miles. I’m confused about when the Timing belt should be replaced, it is due now or at around 100km, There’s mixed info regarding this

 

[TrevorK]

I appreciate there is a lot to read in this thread, but worth looking back over the last 2/3 pages.

VW now recommend somewhere between 75,000 and 130,000 miles depending on how dusty it is up your way.

 

[Mark72]

I appreciate there is a lot to read in this thread, but worth looking back over the last 2/3 pages.

VW now recommend somewhere between 75,000 and 130,000 miles depending on how dusty it is up your way.

That’s what I thought thanks, there’s a lot on info on this that’s all different.

 

[Sackmycook]

Work backwards.....

 

[Jim Rey]

I have cam belt anxiety with only 17,400 on the clock of my October 2018 T6 Reluctant to quell that anxiety by unnecessarily spending £1k

 

[TrevorK]

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)?

 

[Sasquatch]

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!

 

[tinks43]

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.

 

[Linoleum Bonypart]

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

 

[rod_vw]

A good number of years ago VW water pumps had a bad reputation of impellors either breaking or coming detached from the shaft. Perhaps this is where the recommendation for an early change came from.

 

[JumpShip]

So if the genuine waterpumps arent great then which one is the one to get ?
I had a belt and pump fitted last year and i think its causing overheating problems (lack of flow) so am gonna get it swapped out again ...but which do i buy ??