Definitive Advice - Timing Belt...

[RetroRed5]

Evening all,

I'm looking for some definitive advice on when to replace the timing belt (and water pump) on my California; I have tried to research this topic but I'm finding a lot of conflicting information. I also asked my local VW dealership but thus far no response.

My Cali was registered in August 2020 (it's a T6, not a T6.1) with only 19k miles. Some advice would suggest it needs doing now due to age, whereas other advice says it doesn't need doing based on the mileage.

If I do manage to get a proper answer from VW, I will update this thread accordingly.

Thanks in advance

 

[bgg1b]

Mines a 2020, much higher mileage. I’ve just booked it in for a proactive Cambelt and Water Pump change as I want the piece of mind

 

[scottk]

I thought VW had confirmed it is 130000 miles or 10 years.

 

[sidepod]

Surely it comes down to £. If you can afford it then get it done. No one will argue it’s better changed than not, regardless of age.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

I changed a T6 Cambelt idlers and water pump at 5 years, regardless of mileage at an independent for about £900. Insignificant compared to a new engine.

 

[RetroRed5]

Thanks all for your replies.

I did actually just get a response from VW; this is what VW's system came back with when they entered by Cali's reg. no...



So according to VW, for my Cali its 133k miles regardless of age.

Suffice it to say, for the sake of being cautious, I'll likely change mine within the next 12 months.

 

[KevH]

Very helful table.
Showing my ignorance here, but the table has two entries, cam belt (no detail but £900) and timing belt (with details and £500).
What am I not understanding here?

 

[RetroRed5]

Cambelt = Timing Belt.

There are two lines to indicate the cost just for the belt and the cost with the water pump; although why they've called one a cambelt and the other a timing belt is beyond me.

 

[TripleBee]

I changed mine at 160000km (100000mi) at 11 years old. It stated as 210000km no time limit.
When I changed the belt with all the tensioners and so on, including water pump, there was no single sign of excessive wear, and no leaking of the water pump.
Just go with the 10 years if 100000mi not reached.

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

I would have expected two changes by 130K miles.
In 2017 VW recommended every 5 years or 60K miles.
In 2019 VW recommended every 130K miles.
In 2020 VW recommended every 100K miles.

Yet the belt is the same and so is the engine........
If the engine is in a golf/passat is it still every 60K miles?

Why is a commercial vehicle with the same engine able to last longer?

Surely the deciding factor is the viability of the belt, it being rubber and prone to cracking, perishing and breaking. I would err on the side of caution and go with 60K miles

 

[JohnnyAppleseed]

Good morning,
I've just been through this very process myself. Mine is a 2018 T6. With 23,000 on the clock.
I've got a similar response from Marshall's VW. Following this, I went to an independent who told me something interesting.
He said well, don't forget that the T6 is more a commercial vehicle than it is a campervan? It would seem sensible for VW in that case for the timing belt to last a long time.....
Similar thing with the DSG gear oil conflicting advice there too. Some say the six speed wet clutch version is essential to change the oil with age. Some say seven speed dry clutch version not so important with age but mileage essential
Personally, I'm gonna wait a little longer for the Cam belt and the DSG oil, but probably well below VW's recommendations in time or mileage, hopefully I don't end up crying in my porridge....

 

[vwcaliforniacornwall]

I have just had my 2020 cam belt / pump changed at 30000 miles. What my mechanic said was that these engines tend to stop in exactly the same position (of the engine cycle). So if your van like mine spends relatively more time not running then the same part of the belt spends more time at stress points. Also, if it failed at 100k miles we know that VW are not going to say “ oh, our bad, we will fix it for you”
So I feel its a personal choice of potentially wasting £900 or risking a big bill. I should have asked what it was like when taken off but Im sure if it was really bad he would have gleefully shown it to me!

 

[crookrise]

I did my 2014 at 5 years old based on the fact that what VW said for a 1.9 tdi engine as fitted to VW vehicles. It was hardly worn at40,000 miles. Six years later and another 40,000 miles considering it !!

Cambelt policy changed by VW now 100,000 miles no age limit

Quite by chance I have discovered from my local VW dealer that their gravy train changing belts every 5 years has come to an end..it is now 100,000 miles with no age limit specified so make sure you dont get conned into an unecessary bill. Very few people in the general motor trade are aware of...

vwcaliforniaclub.com

 

[Resfeber]

I have just had my 2020 cam belt / pump changed at 30000 miles. What my mechanic said was that these engines tend to stop in exactly the same position (of the engine cycle). So if your van like mine spends relatively more time not running then the same part of the belt spends more time at stress points. Also, if it failed at 100k miles we know that VW are not going to say “ oh, our bad, we will fix it for you”
So I feel its a personal choice of potentially wasting £900 or risking a big bill. I should have asked what it was like when taken off but Im sure if it was really bad he would have gleefully shown it to me!

Think another factor to consider is front crank case oil seal.
These are a common failure at around 6 years on T6’s.regardless of mileage.
The seal part is cheap but involves almost identical labour to Cambelt change which has to come off to access the seal and mounting plate for replacement, so it is usually advised to do the Cambelt, water pump and seal at the same time.

 

[Cameron]

It seems to be a moving target, I was advised last year that 7 years was the service interval. Consequently I’ve just had mine done on a 2018 T6 @48000 miles.

 

[Blanco]

I have just had my 2020 cam belt / pump changed at 30000 miles. What my mechanic said was that these engines tend to stop in exactly the same position (of the engine cycle). So if your van like mine spends relatively more time not running then the same part of the belt spends more time at stress points. Also, if it failed at 100k miles we know that VW are not going to say “ oh, our bad, we will fix it for you”
So I feel its a personal choice of potentially wasting £900 or risking a big bill. I should have asked what it was like when taken off but Im sure if it was really bad he would have gleefully shown it to me!

Thanks for sharing this helpful to know intel Vwcaliforniacornwall. Like yours, our T6 204 spends more time adorning the driveway than on the road. The belt and pump were last done by VW at 27k in March 2021, with a 5 year warranty. It'll be changed next March just before the MOT with the belt having by then done about 29k. Might not need replacing, but right at the end of the warranty period I don't fancy the chance of prising a new engine out of VW if it snaps during the emissions test.

 

[JohnnyAppleseed]

Think another factor to consider is front crank case oil seal.
These are a common failure at around 6 years on T6’s.regardless of mileage.
The seal part is cheap but involves almost identical labour to Cambelt change which has to come off to access the seal and mounting plate for replacement, so it is usually advised to do the Cambelt, water pump and seal at the same time.

good tip! nice one for that ill do that one same time

 

[bgg1b]

good tip! nice one for that ill do that one same time

Thank you, mines booked in for end of the month for Cam belt and water pump, I’m updating the work to include Crank Case oil seal !

 

[Vinnie Van G]

Evening all,

I'm looking for some definitive advice on when to replace the timing belt (and water pump) on my California; I have tried to research this topic but I'm finding a lot of conflicting information. I also asked my local VW dealership but thus far no response.

My Cali was registered in August 2020 (it's a T6, not a T6.1) with only 19k miles. Some advice would suggest it needs doing now due to age, whereas other advice says it doesn't need doing based on the mileage.

If I do manage to get a proper answer from VW, I will update this thread accordingly.

Thanks in advance

I asked VW customer care the question surrounding the cambelt back in July and their response was as follows:
‘Regarding the cambelt (timing belt), the current recommendation is to replace it at 140,000 miles. While Volkswagen no longer specifies a time-based replacement, many specialists recommend a more cautious interval of 80,000–90,000 miles, particularly under demanding driving conditions’

And the following maintenance recommendations:
‘Maintenance recommendations include:

• Oil and filter change: every 10,000 miles / 1 year (Fixed) or up to 18,600 miles / 2 years (Flexible)
• Brake fluid: every 3 years, then every 2 years thereafter
• Air filter: every 60,000 miles or as needed
• Fuel filter (diesel): every 40,000 miles
• Pollen filter: every 2 years
• DSG transmission fluid: every 40,000 miles
• Coolant: replace every 5 years or as specified

And then they closed the conversation with:
‘ We strongly advise confirming all service requirements with your Approved Volkswagen Service Centre, as they will have access to your vehicle’s full service history and the latest manufacturer updates.’

Hope this helps .

 

[alanrodger999]

Thanks all for your replies.

I did actually just get a response from VW; this is what VW's system came back with when they entered by Cali's reg. no...

View attachment 141252

So according to VW, for my Cali its 133k miles regardless of age.

Suffice it to say, for the sake of being cautious, I'll likely change mine within the next 12 months.

I have a 2014 California T5.1 which I bought new and have carried out all servicing and repairs myself, it has never been near a VW dealership.
Like many people on this thread I find the servicing intervals at best confusing. For my van I was led to believe that the timing belt etc. should be changed every 4 years (or 80,000 miles but as it is low mileage the time interval governs). Now the tensioner, idler pulleys and water pump aren’t going to deteriorate much just sitting doing nothing. So the 4 year time interval must be based on deterioration of the rubber belt. Now most vehicles I have worked on have an 8 or 10 year interval and considering all belts will be made by Continental, INA etc how do VW manage to get such poor belts that they need changing every 4 years. Could it just be a bit of trickery to get our cash?
Well I changed my belt kit and water pump at 8 years (45,000 miles). The kit included belt, tensioner a couple of idler pulleys and new bolts for the cam shaft pulley (no new bolts for the high pressure diesel pump pulley). The old belt had hardened slightly but was still very serviceable and far from breaking, the bearings on the idler pulleys and water pump felt like new. If I still have the van I will replace the belt and possibly tensioner at 16 years but leave the water pump and idler pulleys.
From the tabulated price list I don’t understand the huge difference in price ‘cam belt and water pump’ £900 compared to ‘timing belt kit’ £550. If this extra £350 is just for fitting a water pump it is ridiculous. I bought the water pump from TPS for £50 or so and fitting it is simple once you’re in there.
My conclusion is that it is beneficial for the dealership to cause confusion, that’s how money is made!

 

[WelshGas]

Owners should be aware that in Europe VW recommended 100,000 miles and 10yrs or so BUT the cam belt was checked at every service and this has been so since the introduction of the T5.

VW UK stipulated 4 yrs or 80,000 miles, but no check of the cam belt at each service, until 2023/24 when they changed to the European schedule.

 

[WelshGas]

On my 2014 California I changed the Cambelt at 4 yrs BUT it had done 80,000 miles.
If I had kept it I would have changed it at 160,000 miles, which would have been at 7 yrs.
The first belt was in excellent condition.
Using the European Milage schedule or even the former UK Milage schedule for a commercial Transporter would be fine, in my opinion as , that would mean between 10 to 20,000 miles per year. So most vehicles would have a cambelt change between 4 - 7 years.
But the California, judging by posts on the Forum , rarely averages much more than 3-5,000 miles/year.
Rubber based components have a longer lifespan if used regularly. They deteriorate with time and more quickly if not used.
Personally, if it was not used as a daily driver then I would be changing it at 6 yrs or 80,000 miles.

 

[KevH]

Had an oil change service today at VW Stoke and asked for the latest official guidance on cam belt changes.
The answer I was given sort of agrees with what others have also found, that is that VW expect the cambelt to “last the life of the vehicle”.
Interesting wording, for if it fails it could cause the end of that vehicles life. But I digress.
The service manager advised me to have it checked at every service from 5 years on, and to consider replacement if there is evidence of wear.
That seems solid advice, and that is what I intend to do.
Hope this helps.
BTW the cost of replacement was quoted as being £890 at present. Ouch.

 

[sidepod]

Did he explain how to check it without first removing it which involves exactly the same amount of work as replacement?

 

[KevH]

Did he explain how to check it without first removing it which involves exactly the same amount of work as replacement?

I asked whether it is a simple procedure and he said it was just a few minutes extra work during a service…his words not mine.
Not understanding what the heck goes on in a modern diesel engine I didn’t press him.
He came across as genuine, even throwing in the cost of a brake fluid change (£90) as a goodwill gesture, so I have no cause to doubt him.
But how it’s done, I have no idea.