First T5 advice 2.5

[old mate]

New Member - getting 1st van
Hi guys, just got a van (t5 2006 2.5 TDI 6 speed) I am about to pick up on Tuesday. My son and I are flying into Melbourne and driving it home.

Looking forward to owning it as we are going to camp surf etc before he starts thinking his old man is "lame".

Its from a dealer but not a gen VW dealership. I am a bit scared after reading the sensitive nature of the 2.5 engine. They say it has been serviced by VW is whole 158000klm but if anyone has used the wrong oil in that time is it dire?

I was hoping to find a mobile mechanic who knows these vans to pass their expert eye over it before I pass on my $$.

Thanks for any advice and looking forward to seeing you guys on the road.

Old mate.

[Transporter]

Welcome to the T5 club Old mate, and good luck with the purchase.

[Sunny43.5]

Welcome to the Forum Old mate I own two T5 's from that era , the only thing I would be checking is the auto if its the Tiptronic find someone who has experience with that model auto and have it serviced make sure they remove the sump as there is a filter inside which should be changed with the fluid . DO NOT believe the VW dealer line that its sealed for life they can be opened {wish I knew that one } great vans non the less .

[Zaskar]

Welcome Indeed. Don't be discouraged by the posts here.
Just because 6 people have had trouble, doesn't mean the other 30000 transporters out there have had similar issues.
Oil is important, but as long as it's been changed often enough, you shouldn't have much trouble due to the oil specifically. I'd imagine anyone who's spent the kind of money that VW command, will have a vested interest in having looked after it. Obviously check the service book, and perhaps even contact the VW dealer where its been serviced to get a run down - just to be sure.

Whilst I'm in Melbourne, I'm no mechanic, but maybe contact a VW service centre, ask what that charge for an inspection & report, even RACV offer a mobile service that does that.
If it helps, I've dealt with Bayford VW in Camberwell/ Hawthorn East and found them to be very helpful.

[Zaskar]

Anyone in Melbourne know a mechanic with experience in VW transporters?

[Transporter]

Oil is important, but as long as it's been changed often enough, you shouldn't have much trouble due to the oil specifically.

I disagree with you,
the right oil is important, especially in the engines with the higher mileage. If the wrong oil was used in early stages or all the time and even if it was changed at every 5,000km instead 15,000km it would have a negative impact on the engine longevity and reliability.

[Tornado T5]

Anyone in Melbourne know a mechanic with experience in VW transporters?

Tucker Road Motors (1995) Pty Ltd

Motor Engineers & Repairers - Bentleigh East, VIC

848 North Rd, Bentleigh East VIC 3165

Dale owns the business now but his father ran it before and he used to service my uncles T1 and helped the family sell it when my uncle passed away. Recently he replaced my van's starter motor after I had it towed there and although my selling and servicing dealer has been great (Burwins). Tucker's service is excellent, knowledge first rate and at more economical cost. He used to service my T4 until I bought the T5 in 2007.

[old mate]

Thanks for all the great replies. I have penciled in an oil change with Boris at Volkscare as it is just down the road. Will hopefully get that oil changed before we hit the road back to Sydney.

Appreciate all the advice.

[old mate]

Went and looked at van, had a leak from turbo so walked from it. Still looking if anyone has any leads.

[BrianJ]

The archillies heal of the engine is the water pump, if it has leaked water into the oil at any time in the life of the engine then the oil has been compromised and the engine will later develop worn cams and followers especially, and faults like leaking turbo. Because of the design of the water pump if the seals go, then the bearings, there is a high likelihood of water getting into the oil.

I have a 2006 tiptronic which has now done 188,000 and still runs like the day it was bought, but the water pump was changed at 80,000, which is essential if you see any loss of water in the overflow bottle. The problem is for second hand buyers, how do you know that water never leaked into the oil in the life of the van.

Once the subtle faults like you observed occur people will sell them to save on big expenses.