Cambelt change. is it really worth getting the crank case oil seal done at the same time?

[colintfcolintf]

Hi, I'm after advice from the collective.

i'm looking at getting the Cambelt (incl tensioner and waterpump) and Auxilary belts changed.

i read on here a while ago a suggestion that it might be a good idea to do the crank case oil seal at the same time, but that's adding quite a bit to the potentials cost of the job, so thought i would check on here what the consensus was - many thanks in advance.

 

[Alied]

Now this is a tricky one. Do you have the belt changed, then on your next service you're told that the seal is leaking, and you have to pay more to get it done. I had mine done in January 2025 at 55,000 miles, but I opted to pay the extra in parts to have the cambelt and water pump changed whilst having the seal done. I do believe that the part number for the seal has been superseded a few times, and is a common issue on the transporter. I had the seal replaced at Breeze Poole, but had to leave the van overnight in order for the sealant to set.

 

[colintfcolintf]

Now this is a tricky one. Do you have the belt changed, then on your next service you're told that the seal is leaking, and you have to pay more to get it done. I had mine done in January 2025 at 55,000 miles, but I opted to pay the extra in parts to have the cambelt and water pump changed whilst having the seal done. I do believe that the part number for the seal has been superseded a few times, and is a common issue on the transporter. I had the seal replaced at Breeze Poole, but had to leave the van overnight in order for the sealant to set.

I really appreciate your reply, thankyou.
I haven’t heard much about them, other than a recommendation to do it at Cambelt change. But then, do you change it at every Cambelt change? Lots of questions going round in my head at the moment, including Do I get someone like Breeze to do it, or someone like RetroResus down near Taunton.

 

[Alied]

if you have it done at a main dealer, remember that you get a 2 year warranty on parts and labour.

 

[Alexlex85]

unless is common or yours shows signs of leaking I wouldn't touch it.

 

[Resfeber]

I really appreciate your reply, thankyou.
I haven’t heard much about them, other than a recommendation to do it at Cambelt change. But then, do you change it at every Cambelt change? Lots of questions going round in my head at the moment, including Do I get someone like Breeze to do it, or someone like RetroResus down near Taunton.

My experience on a T6 was that the crank seals fail at around 5 to 6 years irrespective of mileage.
At Liverpool van centre their comment was that the seal is a stock item due to the numbers needing replaced.
The labour for a seal replacement is almost the same as that for a Cambelt change.
All up I paid £1200 in Oct 2024 for Cambelt, seal and water pump

This is what a failing one looks like

 

[Alied]

I've just had a look at my invoice from last year, and I paid £1276.71, plus the vodka and tonic.

 

[flying banana]

I would leave it well alone unless leaking. My van is 10 yrs old now and oil seal still good

 

[colintfcolintf]

I've just had a look at my invoice from last year, and I paid £1276.71, plus the vodka and tonic.

Thankyou

 

[Resfeber]

I would leave it well alone unless leaking. My van is 10 yrs old now and oil seal still good

Agree, as the first fail is likely to be the oil seal before the revised 10year or 120k for the Cambelt.

 

[reserves]

Yes. 100%

Find a good independent VW specialist

I only paid for the part as I was getting Cambelt and everything done at the same time.

They told me they do one crank seal a week.

VW dealer tried to charge me £1,200 for the crank seal alone! Independent did the Cambelt; auxiliary belt & crank seal for less.

 

[Skiver]

For me it was the other way around.

My crankcase seal failed at 5 years and 44k and decided to do the cambelt at the same time.

My suggestion would be that if your around similar mileage and age as mine to get it done together.

 

[OooOooTheMonkey]

Isn’t this the same logic as getting the water pump done at the same time as the camber? It’s preventative maintenance and probably more likely to fail than the water pump, so makes sense right?

 

[B J G]

90% of the cost to replace the crank seal plate is having to take the cam belt etc off. By combining the jobs only one labour charge should be applied. 2 for 1?
Labour charges are increasing rapidly.

 

[Blanco]

Just had timing belt changed by an independent, asked if changing the crankcase seal at the same time would be wise. Answer - only when there's even the slightest sign of leakage otherwise leave it alone. 9 years old and the underside of the engine is bone dry, so did as was told and left it. The key to longevity, apperently, is frequent oil changes and engine flushes every couple of years. Made sense.