Just collected the caravelle from the local garrage after some work.

They have pointed out from the service record that the last time the
timing belt was changed was in 2003 fifty two thousand miles ago.

They told me they would not want to do the work but that vw charge about
£500.

So, are there special tools required or could I find another garrage
that is not a VW dealer to do this?

Also, wonder how important the 5 year interval is? Could I put on a few
more miles first?

Wondering whether now would be a good time to get something a bit newer.
Quite a bit of clatter for the first few minutes after starting from
cold and oil consumption is about half a pint every 1500 miles.

So, wonder what sort of engine life one can expect from a t4 I know
there are some high mile taxis about but they are on the road all day
and probably never cool down. This is does about 18000 miles a year.

Also, wonder how much better the t5 is?

Thanks



--
Keith Barrett
www.barrettpianos.co.uk

They have pointed out from the service record that the last time the
timing belt was changed was in 2003 fifty two thousand miles ago.
They told me they would not want to do the work but that vw charge
about £500.

Hmmmm. Our T4 had a timing belt change around 75k/10years IIRC. Only
noticed that it needed doing because the frayed belt was making a whining
noise!

Cost was less than 100 quid, but it was being MOT's and serviced at the
same time. Total bill was less than 500 quid and included the service,
tyres, plugs, filters, oil etc.

oil consumption is about half a pint every 1500
miles.

Wouldn't worry about it. Ours probably uses about that. Most of it is due
to a leak somewhere that I've never bothered to track down.

So, wonder what sort of engine life one can expect from a t4

About 125k on ours so far. Engine is sound. Often see ex-taxi ones at twice
that.

Also, wonder how much better the t5 is?

I'll let you know. Ours is due to be delivered in a few weeks :-)

Al.

"Keith Barrett" wrote in message
...
Just collected the caravelle from the local garrage after some work.

They have pointed out from the service record that the last time the
timing belt was changed was in 2003 fifty two thousand miles ago.

Faaark! If it's a 2.5TDi the interval is 40k miles! Tow or push it to the
nearest VW garage.

They told me they would not want to do the work but that vw charge about
£500.

About right.

So, are there special tools required or could I find another garrage
that is not a VW dealer to do this?

Yes but you'll still pay £350-400+. DIY cambelt on a 5cyl TDi is all about
learing to be a gynaecologist!

Also, wonder how important the 5 year interval is? Could I put on a few
more miles first?

4yrs/40k miles.

Wondering whether now would be a good time to get something a bit newer.
Quite a bit of clatter for the first few minutes after starting from
cold and oil consumption is about half a pint every 1500 miles.

It's an odl skool diesel. Live with it.

So, wonder what sort of engine life one can expect from a t4 I know
there are some high mile taxis about but they are on the road all day
and probably never cool down. This is does about 18000 miles a year.

Mine has 283k and is still a youngster. A cab firm round here has 3 which
have done 400k+ with no issues.

Also, wonder how much better the t5 is?

Quite a bit better, but basically stil the same engines. I pick up my new
company T5 174PD tomorrow morning so I'll let you know ;)

JB

In article , says...

"Keith Barrett" wrote in message
...
Just collected the caravelle from the local garrage after some work.

They have pointed out from the service record that the last time the
timing belt was changed was in 2003 fifty two thousand miles ago.

Faaark! If it's a 2.5TDi the interval is 40k miles! Tow or push it to the
nearest VW garage.

They told me they would not want to do the work but that vw charge about
£500.

About right.

So, are there special tools required or could I find another garrage
that is not a VW dealer to do this?

Yes but you'll still pay £350-400+. DIY cambelt on a 5cyl TDi is all about
learing to be a gynaecologist!

Also, wonder how important the 5 year interval is? Could I put on a few
more miles first?

4yrs/40k miles.

Wondering whether now would be a good time to get something a bit newer.
Quite a bit of clatter for the first few minutes after starting from
cold and oil consumption is about half a pint every 1500 miles.

It's an odl skool diesel. Live with it.

So, wonder what sort of engine life one can expect from a t4 I know
there are some high mile taxis about but they are on the road all day
and probably never cool down. This is does about 18000 miles a year.

Mine has 283k and is still a youngster. A cab firm round here has 3 which
have done 400k+ with no issues.

Also, wonder how much better the t5 is?

Quite a bit better, but basically stil the same engines. I pick up my new
company T5 174PD tomorrow morning so I'll let you know ;)

JB



Not sure about the 40 k miles? This is a 2.4 according to a sticker on
top of the engine, it is an "a" engine.

It got its first replacement belt at 80k full vw history at that time so
I assumed that should have been the correct time?

If it needs one every 40 k that will be every two years, better start
saving for the t5...


--
Keith Barrett
www.barrettpianos.co.uk

"Keith Barrett" wrote in message
...
In article , says...

"Keith Barrett" wrote in message
...
Just collected the caravelle from the local garrage after some work.

They have pointed out from the service record that the last time the
timing belt was changed was in 2003 fifty two thousand miles ago.

Faaark! If it's a 2.5TDi the interval is 40k miles! Tow or push it to the
nearest VW garage.

They told me they would not want to do the work but that vw charge
about
£500.

About right.

So, are there special tools required or could I find another garrage
that is not a VW dealer to do this?

Yes but you'll still pay £350-400+. DIY cambelt on a 5cyl TDi is all
about
learing to be a gynaecologist!

Also, wonder how important the 5 year interval is? Could I put on a
few
more miles first?

4yrs/40k miles.

Wondering whether now would be a good time to get something a bit
newer.
Quite a bit of clatter for the first few minutes after starting from
cold and oil consumption is about half a pint every 1500 miles.

It's an odl skool diesel. Live with it.

So, wonder what sort of engine life one can expect from a t4 I know
there are some high mile taxis about but they are on the road all day
and probably never cool down. This is does about 18000 miles a year.

Mine has 283k and is still a youngster. A cab firm round here has 3 which
have done 400k+ with no issues.

Also, wonder how much better the t5 is?

Quite a bit better, but basically stil the same engines. I pick up my new
company T5 174PD tomorrow morning so I'll let you know ;)

JB



Not sure about the 40 k miles? This is a 2.4 according to a sticker on
top of the engine, it is an "a" engine.

Ah. 2.4 non turbo. Not too sure about these. I thought it was a 2.5TDi.

It got its first replacement belt at 80k full vw history at that time so
I assumed that should have been the correct time?

Get yourself over to the VW T4 Forum. Very knowledgable guys over there.
http://domain1648967.sites.fasthosts.com/index.php

If it needs one every 40 k that will be every two years, better start
saving for the t5...

Picked up my new company T5 174PD 'Velle today. Quite a rocketship but only
a SWB. I already miss the space in my old T4 LWB.

JB