VW Heritage T5 Buying Guide

[jets]

I can't remember this link being posted before but could be of interest to someone on here.
One thing that was mentioned was "the 2.5 litre is also prone to premature camshaft wear"
Is this a valid comment for engines where the correct oil is used?

https://www.vwheritage.com/blog/2015/04/30/vw-heritage-t5-buying-guide/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Retail%20Newsletter%20-%20Buses%20May%202016&utm_content=Retail%20Newsletter%20-%20Buses%20May%202016+CID_fe6752fde1dfc5c8781224ff9de06010&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=read%20on%20to%20find%20out%20more

[Sunny43.5]

Thanks there are the problems some already I have experienced with our two early T5's and some not listed as well . Intercooler flange clips fail as they move around on the flange and wear easily . Side door rollers just collapse without much warning . Central locking problems caused by corrosion on the connector blocks under the drivers seat [no idea how they get moisture right there } early ones the air vent control cables would seize up pricey for new unit .Last one the Tiptronic auto can now be serviced but make sure whoever does knows about the filter inside the box so sump removal is essential to replace , if you don't you maybe up for huge costs like I did and ours was serviced by a VW dealer . Only made 8 km from dealers before it died .

[Tornado T5]

I can't remember this link being posted before but could be of interest to someone on here.
One thing that was mentioned was "the 2.5 litre is also prone to premature camshaft wear"
Is this a valid comment for engines where the correct oil is used?

https://www.vwheritage.com/blog/2015...d%20out%20more

Short answer is yes as I had the camshaft replaced with not much change from $5000.... all after ONLY dealer servicing.

[Rebuild]

AFAIK
camshaft wear mainly a prob with 04-06 ish models

There's also RHS driveshaft probs sometimes(strips drive stub), mainly with manual gearbox??

[Umai Naa!!]

Camshaft wear and driveshaft stubshaft failures are common on both the 1.9L and 2.5L TDIs.

The automatic gearbox may fail regardless of servicing. This applies to pretty much all VW and Audi vehicles with a conventional (non-DSG) auto. I've even seen rebuilt ones that were subsequently serviced correctly thereafter, die. They're just junk.

Seriously, if you have to have an auto, get a T5GP (facelift, MY10-onwards) with the DSG. Waaay less trouble with them.

[aSimpleLife]

Thanks very much for the link.

[77dual]

Are there any early signs of camshaft wear before things go bang?

Mine (an '05 128kw) has had the air vent cable problem mentioned above, it was a reasonably easy fix by just removing part of the dash and getting in and straightening the cables up again. Until they snap or bend again that is.

[Tornado T5]

Are there any early signs of camshaft wear before things go bang?

Mine (an '05 128kw) has had the air vent cable problem mentioned above, it was a reasonably easy fix by just removing part of the dash and getting in and straightening the cables up again. Until they snap or bend again that is.

The engine makes a knocking noise. Then you also feel it. Problem is it starts gradually so not so obvious until you drive another.

[Sunny43.5]

We had the knocking noise on our T5 back some years back and I suspected cam problem turned out to be aircon bearing failure which broke the mount as well $1800 repair . Still cheaper than a camshaft I suppose , mind you it took the dealers a whole day to find out what it was .

[Transporter]

I can't remember this link being posted before but could be of interest to someone on here.
One thing that was mentioned was "the 2.5 litre is also prone to premature camshaft wear"
Is this a valid comment for engines where the correct oil is used?

No, it isn't.

[jets]

Camshaft wear and driveshaft stubshaft failures are common on both the 1.9L and 2.5L TDIs.

I came across this reconditioning site related to the camshaft wear problem. [Thanks Sharkie]

SSCH Southside Cylinder Head Service, ERA Engine Reconditioning Australia

Go to Reconditioning Process page & click on VW Turbo Diesel Camshaft Issues.

[Transporter]

I came across this reconditioning site related to the camshaft wear problem. [Thanks Sharkie]

SSCH Southside Cylinder Head Service, ERA Engine Reconditioning Australia

Go to Reconditioning Process page & click on VW Turbo Diesel Camshaft Issues.

The camshaft wear problem in T5 AXD and AXE engine, only if you don't use VW506.01 oil in the engine. Which probably many didn't.


The naives who always know better than the manufacturers:
PD cam failure - Data collection thread - TDIClub Forums

[jets]

I must say I was surprised to read what Southside Cylinder Head Service said "The exact cause of the failure is still yet to be pinpointed but poor lubrication to the top end is likely to be playing a major part" I would have thought that they would speculate that the correct oil was probably not always used, as I would have.
I tried reading the link provided to the TDI Forum but after a couple of pages I got bored with some of the nonsense & stopped reading.
My main interest in this is my Mk5 TDI PD engine that has ALWAYS been treated with the correct oil, works perfectly.
Transporter, have you serviced many high mileage PD engines without camshaft related problems?

[Transporter]

There are quite a few MK5 PD engines there with well over 200,000km that I've serviced, 1.9 or 2.0TDIs.

You use a correct oil, change it on time and they go for ever, even on the original set of injectors.

[Sunny43.5]

Might be the wrong time to make an admission here but my trusty old 2005 T5 humble 2.0 litre manual petrol has at times not had the correct oil for that matter many times if the oil needed topping up I would grab whatever I had laying around just to avoid the dreaded rattle on start up [it's my warning that the oil is low anyway ]Whilst I only add a litre or two I can now say that after 300000 kays no issues with camshaft . I wonder why the diesels with lower kays have this issue anyone got a idea I am interested .