Should I replace timing belt and water pump at 43,000 miles and 8 years old?- VW say no.

[T6Mike]

My T6 is a 67 plate, so 7.5 - 8 years old. Only 43,000 miles. Serviced every year. Bought from VW as a panel van and since converted. Was less than impressed with VW aftersales/service, so last year I ended up going to a local independent garage who have been great.

This year, It's MOT and service time shortly. With the van being 8 years old I thought I'd get the timing belt and water pump done. Used the VW online booking form and with a service plan (free) service the total comes to £1000. I then contacted a local independent garage, a garage that always receives high praise on this forum. They've sent me a very very detailed quote, It's £1500, but it's been so professionally put together, coupled with the great name they get on here, I've decided to just go with them, and I'm booked in next month.

Which brings me to my question...

VW contacted me today (left a voicemail) asking me why I wanted to get the timing belt and water pump done as my van was low mileage and VW recommend every 140,000 miles!. Come to think of it, I remember them doing that last year as well, and it put me off getting it done.

Am I correct in getting it done this year?, what would you do?.

 

[Sasquatch]

I'd change it. Peace of mind is priceless.

It's easy for them to say no, but that's not the same as them offering a guarantee and underwriting it with their own money.

 

[Chippie1]

It’s personal preference
Correct VW have changed there guidelines now inline with the rest of Europe.
I’m old school I service my van every year with an mot regardless of miles ( usually around 7/8000 miles)
I will change mine at around 4/5 years as I’ve always done in previous vehicles for peace of mind as it doesn’t cost the earth for my peace of mind!
Others will happily follow guidelines and beyond.

 

[Greybeard]

I too use a local to me highly thought of VW independent and have done since 2 years old. They’re plugged in to VW HQ Germany. As such, mine hadn’t had new timing belt, although 6 years old at last service.
I had discussed this and DSG fluid etc service with owner the previous year. Due to my low mileage @ under 4k per year, and often shortish trips we agreed to have both done last year, for my peace of mind.

As @Sasquatch says above.

 

[BognorMotors]

Yes definitely- that’s way too long on time to run the belt. Even though VW have recently changed the timings. They do degrade through age.

 

[nedwood]

As the driver of an older 65 Kombi I've stuck to the old 5 yrs advice for peace of mind.
It's my work vehicle and I run it through my business so it seems pointless to penny pinch
The new recommendation from VW should come with the qualifier that the belt should be periodically checked for damage - when my belt was last changed it had lost a tooth ( approx 40,000 miles since last change ).

 

[T6Mike]

Wonderful, just the kind of helpful advice I was after. I think I'd made up my mind to get it done anyway, but VW put so much doubt into my head.

 

[Dellmassive]

I'd defo do it.

It's more the water pump corrosion that can get to the bearing and make it stiff..... That can add strain to the timing belt.

Cause & effect.

So id have them don't..... As above. Peice of.mind.

4k miles a year is very low..... You might want to take it out more often or further.

 

[JDC]

Do it. Mines a 16 plate and I got it done last year on about 55k miles. Its full dealer history and they had no record of the work being done. As others have said, it's piece of mind. I had one go on a car a few years ago. Cost a few grand for replacement engine at the time as it cracked the head.

 

[JamieM]

Interesting, had a similar conversation with VW garage in Aberdeen yesterday when I picked up my 2016 Caravelle (2.0 TDI 204ps DSG). Last had belt etc changed at 4 year service (approx 16k miles) which was 5 years ago.

Van now at 29k miles and has full annual service history, but when I asked about the next belt change he told me VW changed the recommendation to mileage only and that it wouldn’t need to be done again until 100,000 miles (no time frame).

I’m new to VWs but that doesn’t seem sensible, so think I’ll just get it done on next service.

 

[cgtmiles]

What do any European forum members do who have always had the 140k or whatever recommendation?

 

[Kind of Blue]

I will probably wait and take guidance from my VAG Indipendent guy. I have faith in him.

 

[Skyliner33]

What do any European forum members do who have always had the 140k or whatever recommendation?

I was just wondering that as well.

 

[Vinyl1210]

Yes, yes, yes. Get it done. Mileage may well not be an issue, (in fact in my experience, higher miles over a shorter time span seem to have less effect on the belt) but less use over time will. Degradation of rubber, drying out due to being used, getting hot then sitting for long periods unused, cracking blah blah. You’re deffo doing the right thing for peace of mind.

I’m new to VWs but that doesn’t seem sensible……..

A bit like putting a ‘wet belt’ immersed in hot, dirty oil for 100K miles and expecting not to have any failures

 

[CAB]

 

[Bigsidavies]

Wowser, what does the £1500 quote inclue? Am I reading that correctly that your indi is 50% more expensive than VWVC?

 

[T6Mike]

Wowser, what does the £1500 quote inclue? Am I reading that correctly that your indi is 50% more expensive than VWVC?

Yeh, I dont mind sharing the quote with you. I'll keep the details of the garage out, but here you go...




I thought it was very thorough and professionally done. Does it sound about right?

 

[Bigsidavies]

Aah I see now. It includes a full service and crank pulley oil seal. Probably not far off what I'd expect to have to pay. Certainly the service is a similar price. Not had the timing belt/water pump done in my ownership.

 

[Sasquatch]

That's a major service. I hope they reduced the labour time on the service part of the quote, seeing as the coolant part of the deal is being done along with the timing belt, and draining, flushing, refilling and bleeding is on its own a 0.7hr job.

Its pricy, but not unreasonable. They're using quality parts, and thats where the most of the money has gone. Mind you, if they're supplying the parts they'll have put their own 10% mark up on, which is normal.

From what I've seen in the 5 cylinder Volvo world where I also reside I wouldn't use Gates rubbish to hold by trousers up, much less keep my precious engine from grenading, so the choice of OE kit is sensible.

Just a thought to consider. Dealer labour rates are mad, but you get a 2 year warranty on OE parts they fit which you won't get at your indy specialist. Not a problem if they're diligent and stand by their workmanship, but theres always that 1 in a 1000 chance you could end up regretting it. Personally I'd take those odds, but it's worth mulling over.

 

[PlanB]

Wowser, what does the £1500 quote inclue? Am I reading that correctly that your indi is 50% more expensive than VWVC?

Had my belt and water pump done at 65k/5years at VV Van Centre for £800.
2 year warranty on parts and labour is plenty long enough for anything to let go or fail.