Does a cam belt change replace the coolant?

negev · 19-01-2017,10:26 AM

Hi

My cam belt was replaced around a year ago, and I think as part of the process the coolant had to be refilled afterwards.

Is it therefore necessary to do a separate coolant flush as a maintenance item or does the cam belt change process effectively replace all the coolant?

Thanks

**MiniMental** · 19-01-2017,10:30 AM

Cambelt will only require a coolant change if the water pump was done. If so, then yes it will all have likley been done but if unsure, it can't hurt to do it again? Just ensure you use either G12 or the updated G13 (purple).

2005 Passat Variant PD175

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No school like the old school...

negev · 19-01-2017,10:30 AM

The water pump was changed with the belt so i guess that means it's good for another year or so?

**bk.bas99** · 19-01-2017,10:31 AM

Depends if they also changed the waterpump. It is normal to do this on a belt change as it's only the cost of the pump extra. If waterpump is changed then coolant will be too. Do you have invoice stating what was changed.

**MiniMental** · 19-01-2017,10:36 AM

Originally Posted by negev

The water pump was changed with the belt so i guess that means it's good for another year or so?

There ya go then. Problem solved

2005 Passat Variant PD175

..

No school like the old school...

negev · 19-01-2017,10:45 AM

Thanks, is the consensus on oil change intervals still 10k miles? I recoded my service intervals to 10k fixed but kept the car on longlife oil because I didn't like the idea of changing the oil grade on a high mileage engine.

I'm doing far fewer longer trips than I used to be so I'm thinking it might be sensible to change the oil more frequently than 10k.

Other than the obvious things like air filter, fuel filter etc are there any other maintenance items I should be dealing with?

**MiniMental** · 19-01-2017,11:00 AM

Brake fluid change never hurts. Dot 4 or 5.1 I believe, supposed to be done every few years I think. Nobody does though. Improved my brake feel significantly when I did.

2005 Passat Variant PD175

..

No school like the old school...

negev · 19-01-2017,11:01 AM

oh yeah sorry i should have said, i already did that. unfortunately the change took out the vacuum pump which was a bit expensive but if you're going to have a brake failure i'd much rather it was at the garage than on the motorway!

**Gazwould** · 19-01-2017,11:03 AM

Nothing wrong there .

I change my LongLife every 6 months and as little as 1300 miles with my majority short journeys that's the score to change more often .

negev · 19-01-2017,11:05 AM

yeah that's what i was thinking. i was doing a lot of motorway miles for most of the year but then changed my job 3 months ago and started commuting by tube so doing a lot less. i think i'm at around 6k since the last change but most of that was motorway. i'll probably change it soon and then change at 3k intervals while i'm not driving much.