I have a manual 4motion 6.1 reg in July 2021 and done around 28000 miles. Been reading about timing belt changes. I know very little about mechanics so was wondering if I should get this done. I’ve seen conflicting information -varying between change after 5 years regardless of mileage and change after 90000 miles. Just had it serviced at vw and they changed the halex oil but no mention of timing belt. Any advice would be appreciated
Timing belt change
- Thread starter auldal
- Start date
It is a can of worms - VW seem to change the requirements when they feel like it, so hard to say what it might be at any time.
Not dissimilar from the latest change for the DSG fluid change from 40k miles to 37k miles.
Your best option is probably to contact your local VW dealer and get the latest information from VW.
Not dissimilar from the latest change for the DSG fluid change from 40k miles to 37k miles.
Your best option is probably to contact your local VW dealer and get the latest information from VW.
Age will eventually do for a belt, but mileage is usually the biggest factor.
Bearing in mind VW cant make up their minds I intend, as a low mileage user like you (lower than you in fact) to go at 7 years, split the difference between their old and current advice, and will use OE kit.
Strangely Gates seem to have a good rep for their parts in Transporter circles, yet in the Volvo community where I also reside theyre avoided like the plague. Who do I believe? The only sure answer to that one is to use the same parts that the manufacturer did when the built the van, and to have it installed by a business that will a) provide a decent warranty, and, b) is liable to be around long enough to honour it.
Interestingly, 5 cylinder Volvos have a 10 year belt interval and if the job is done by the dealer they warranty it for the full 10 years. VW won't do that. Anyway, thats my Sunday moan.
Bearing in mind VW cant make up their minds I intend, as a low mileage user like you (lower than you in fact) to go at 7 years, split the difference between their old and current advice, and will use OE kit.
Strangely Gates seem to have a good rep for their parts in Transporter circles, yet in the Volvo community where I also reside theyre avoided like the plague. Who do I believe? The only sure answer to that one is to use the same parts that the manufacturer did when the built the van, and to have it installed by a business that will a) provide a decent warranty, and, b) is liable to be around long enough to honour it.
Interestingly, 5 cylinder Volvos have a 10 year belt interval and if the job is done by the dealer they warranty it for the full 10 years. VW won't do that. Anyway, thats my Sunday moan.
It's all in here.
Basically, it's now up to you.
But if it was me, at 5 years, I'd change it.
Basically, it's now up to you.
But if it was me, at 5 years, I'd change it.
Wouldn't recommend Gates on any vehicle, I've seen more gates related failures (be it big or small problems) than any other manufacturers.
I certainly don’t recommend this but I have a 2001 A4 TDI with a 16 year old timing belt, I check it over once per year and it looks fine, no dust or cracks.
The car’s worth £40 according to the insurance company which is generous in my opinion.
IMO the Transporter water pump quality maybe the longevity / reliability issue, especially if it’s a shrouded type pump.
For the owners who rarely use the van brinelling of bearings including timing belt tensioners maybe a factor. Static, ball, roller and needle bearings results in silent and guaranteed degradation.
The car’s worth £40 according to the insurance company which is generous in my opinion.
IMO the Transporter water pump quality maybe the longevity / reliability issue, especially if it’s a shrouded type pump.
For the owners who rarely use the van brinelling of bearings including timing belt tensioners maybe a factor. Static, ball, roller and needle bearings results in silent and guaranteed degradation.
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