Few Newbie Questions

StormUk

StormUk

Senior Member
T6 Pro
Morning Folks,

Sorry to be a pain in the proverbial here but I have a couple of questions regarding T6's before I take the plunge.
1) what kind of mileage are they good for?
2) do they have any faults I should look out for that are pretty expensive fixes?
3) what mileage do they require cambelts etc. and is this a costly job?
4) Can't seem to find that many with OEM satnav, can you get these retrofitted, and if so, can you recommend a company?
5) what are the remap results like, power v fuel economy etc.?

That will do for now I think, thanks in advance to anyone who takes the time to answer. It is very much appreciated.

Storm
 
I can offer my inexpert opinion, which I suspect might not be very helpful!

1/ Like any vehicle nowadays that will be highly dependant on your driving style, conditions and servicing regime. I have previously had cars which I've driven beyond 200K miles before selling them as runners and I see no reason why you can't expect the same from a T6. Remember short journeys and cold starts are not good for any engine, more so for a diesel with a dpf.
2/ I'm not aware of the VW T6 engine having any serious flaws, (note the word serious). The engine is tried and tested in a variety of different vehicles and is no less reliable than any other. All modern diesels seem to have some issues with dpf's and egr valves, the T6 seems no worse than any other brand.
3/ The diesel engine cambelt is supposed to be done at 40K. I think you can have this done for not much more than £500 at a VW specialist or independant garage. Obviously you'd want the water pump and auxiliary belt done at the same time, I believe the water pump replacement is the reason why the cambelt replacement is scheduled so early.
4/ Sorry, no help, I use my phone anyway. I'm sure that's why VW put a "cupholder" on the dash that puts my phone in the perfect place!
5/ My remap significantly improved the drivability of the van, and the performance but the economy hasn't changed. On this forum lots of members have remapped their T6's, there are two companies which dominate the market and both are highly regarded.

If I were looking to buy a T6 I'd want LED headlights, not the standard H4 lights. A search on the forum (top right of screen) for "H4" will show dozens of threads about how sh1t the H4's are.
Other than that everything depends on what you want the van to do, what you expect and the depth of your pockets!
This forum is a great source of information and expertise, the search function has helped me no end!
Good luck. :thumbsup:
 
Thanks for the reply @DaveD the van I am looking at has 88k on the clock so by your reckoning it should've just had the belts done not long ago fo the second time.
Tbh I can live with the radio as it is, just a shame this one doesn't have built in satnav.
I will have to give them a call and ask some questions.
 
Everything Dave has said is good advice, but the timing belt isn’t 40k. There’s some debate over the exact number of years/miles, but it’s 4 years and more like 80k miles. I’ll look it up.
 
I bought a 2016 T6 with 99000miles and it drives incredibly well. It has had an EGR valve replaced under warranty but other than that it is all original.
Cambelt is 210000km (or 4 years) which is about 130k miles. It reduces if used in dusty conditions but this is unlikely in the UK. I did mine straight away with the water pump and aux belt as mentioned above.
Consider searching for vans with upgrades that are expensive or impossible to add at a later date.
Sat nav is just a head unit swap away but aircon, led headlights and 6 speed boxes are another story. I find the heated screen invaluable too.
 
Thanks @ChrisR I've just had a little Google and the numbers are all over the place, from 40k 4years to 5years 80k to 120k lol so who the hell knows lol
 
In dusty regions yes.
Otherwise 210000 km or ~130000 miles.
You can see it as it runs around the various pulleys with a torch and mirror to assess its general condition. Obviously no guarantee of life left but if it looks buggered....
 
I’m pretty sure the cambelt change is every 4 years - well I hope I am right as mine is in the workshop today with just 12000 miles on the clock and they are replacing the cambelt and all ancillaries as part of the service schedule
 
Hi All and @DaveD & @StormUk ,

Read all the above with interest.

Just wondered if mileage/useage does play any part in the Cambelt/Water Pump change. My T6 T32 150 van has done 34k, just over 4 years old and been SORN for 3 months - now back on the road.
From what I have read - mileage is irrelevant? and you won't get any warning signs either?
What are the implications if the Cambelt does break when you're out and about? Besides being "Recovered home" are you going to do £000's worth of damage?
Is it a safety precaution to get it changed i.e. DO IT NOW and avoid the issue and the implications!

I will close by saying - I am sorry if this has been covered on other posts and I am not technical - so answers in relatively simple terms would be appreciated!

Thanks for the help and advice in advance Paul
 
Bluey said:
Hi All and @DaveD & @StormUk ,

Read all the above with interest.

Just wondered if mileage/useage does play any part in the Cambelt/Water Pump change. My T6 T32 150 van has done 34k, just over 4 years old and been SORN for 3 months - now back on the road.
From what I have read - mileage is irrelevant? and you won't get any warning signs either?
What are the implications if the Cambelt does break when you're out and about? Besides being "Recovered home" are you going to do £000's worth of damage?
Is it a safety precaution to get it changed i.e. DO IT NOW and avoid the issue and the implications!

I will close by saying - I am sorry if this has been covered on other posts and I am not technical - so answers in relatively simple terms would be appreciated!

Thanks for the help and advice in advance Paul
Click to expand...
I'm not sure about the milage v age part of the question but as for the implications. If your cambelt snaps your pistons will usually collide with your valves, bending/breaking them. Depending on the engine load at the time will depend on the severity of the damage but either way will result in £1000's of pounds worth of damage. The few hundred pounds cost far outways the potential cost and it is also good peace of mind
 
i have the same dilema. My van is literally 4years old today but only done 18k miles. Do I change now or wait till next year? i may wait till the winter and do it then, split the difference ha ha
 
Bluey said:
Hi All and @DaveD & @StormUk ,

Read all the above with interest.

Just wondered if mileage/useage does play any part in the Cambelt/Water Pump change. My T6 T32 150 van has done 34k, just over 4 years old and been SORN for 3 months - now back on the road.
From what I have read - mileage is irrelevant? and you won't get any warning signs either?
What are the implications if the Cambelt does break when you're out and about? Besides being "Recovered home" are you going to do £000's worth of damage?
Is it a safety precaution to get it changed i.e. DO IT NOW and avoid the issue and the implications!

I will close by saying - I am sorry if this has been covered on other posts and I am not technical - so answers in relatively simple terms would be appreciated!

Thanks for the help and advice in advance Paul
Click to expand...
I have just had mine done at 4 years and only 12k miles. The belt did show signs of splits and the water pump is certainly a weak point as well. Failure will cost thousands so best to bite the bullet and get it done.
 
Nigel W said:
I have just had mine done at 4 years and only 12k miles. The belt did show signs of splits and the water pump is certainly a weak point as well. Failure will cost thousands so best to bite the bullet and get it done.
Click to expand...
Do you mind if I ask what the cost was please? And was this VW main dealer or other? Thx
 
As I mentioned above my belt was changed at 4 years and 99000 miles but was mint! The only sign of wear was a slight roughness in one of the idler pulleys.
I think use and mileage play their part but there are far too many variables to know for sure.
 
StormUk said:
Do you mind if I ask what the cost was please? And was this VW main dealer or other? Thx
Click to expand...
I went to an indie but used genuine VW parts, had a full service as well but think the cam belt and all the associated ancillaries came to about £450.
 
StormUk said:
i have the same dilema. My van is literally 4years old today but only done 18k miles. Do I change now or wait till next year? i may wait till the winter and do it then, split the difference ha ha
Click to expand...

Hey Storm Me too mines a 2016 with 17,500 on and now having to consider getting it replaced with it's Annual service

kinda got to have it done now just for piece of mind... it should be a recall item they sold us dodgy water pump and Tensioners .. thought VW's run forever
 
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