Author Topic: Timing Chain tensioner Failure List (timing issue)- Please Update with Your Info  (Read 362572 times)

Offline Poached

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Well done Andygo :cool:.

Offline Snoopy

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Thanks Andygo. Thats my winter project.
Mk6 GTI  &  Mk1 GTI 
34 years of GTI ownership.

Offline andygo

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Winter project? You must be expecting a very short winter!   :laugh:

Offline gaurav_aidasani

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I'm in a bit of a pickle here so was wondering what your thoughts are.

I have a 59 Plate mk6 with 30k on the clock. It was registered in Jan 2010 so I'm not exactly sure when the build week was. I bought it privately with no extended warranty.

At the moment, the car drives fine, but I'm starting to hear a faint rattle on cold start up (or i'm going paranoid! so I'll try to upload a clip). But frankly I just don't mind treating it like a cambelt change and get it done.

I have been asking around and got various responses which has got me confused:

2 Indy VW specialists have said this is a common problem on TFSI engines (i thought it was TSI engines but could be a typo).  Anyways one has quoted £450 to do the job, the other £230 which seems very cheap to me.

VW CS are trying to cover their ar*e and are suggesting I take it to my local dealer and get it diagnosed. The initial investigation would be around £100-200 but as some other drivers here experienced, they can always try to ''investigate further'' and charge me loads more. If there is an issue, VW CS will try to liaise with the dealer to see if there can be any sort of goodwill gesture as i have full VW Service history but nothing is guaranteed. Even if they contribute the bill could still potentially run into £100s. And on top of that, the bill to investigate will not be used towards a potential repair.

With this in hand, I was determined to just get it replaced at the specialists. But now a 3rd indy VW specialist came back and really confused me. The guy suggested for me to go down the VW route because he said replacing only the chain & tensioner could be a half job as he reckons the other parts should be diagnosed in case of damage. He said he's happy to have a look, but potentially it could be an 8-10 hour job and a bill of £1500-2000!

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Offline mikegti77

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I'm in a bit of a pickle here so was wondering what your thoughts are.

I have a 59 Plate mk6 with 30k on the clock. It was registered in Jan 2010 so I'm not exactly sure when the build week was. I bought it privately with no extended warranty.

At the moment, the car drives fine, but I'm starting to hear a faint rattle on cold start up (or i'm going paranoid! so I'll try to upload a clip). But frankly I just don't mind treating it like a cambelt change and get it done.

I have been asking around and got various responses which has got me confused:

2 Indy VW specialists have said this is a common problem on TFSI engines (i thought it was TSI engines but could be a typo).  Anyways one has quoted £450 to do the job, the other £230 which seems very cheap to me.

VW CS are trying to cover their ar*e and are suggesting I take it to my local dealer and get it diagnosed. The initial investigation would be around £100-200 but as some other drivers here experienced, they can always try to ''investigate further'' and charge me loads more. If there is an issue, VW CS will try to liaise with the dealer to see if there can be any sort of goodwill gesture as i have full VW Service history but nothing is guaranteed. Even if they contribute the bill could still potentially run into £100s. And on top of that, the bill to investigate will not be used towards a potential repair.

With this in hand, I was determined to just get it replaced at the specialists. But now a 3rd indy VW specialist came back and really confused me. The guy suggested for me to go down the VW route because he said replacing only the chain & tensioner could be a half job as he reckons the other parts should be diagnosed in case of damage. He said he's happy to have a look, but potentially it could be an 8-10 hour job and a bill of £1500-2000!

Any ideas?

Thanks!

Hi, My 2p's worth...

Avoid VW dealer, as without warranty it could end up costing a lot, although somewhere in this thread is an excellent main dealer mentioned when dealing with this issue - 'RocketRossUK' used them I think.

To me you have two options - take out an official VW warranty then you are covered should it go wrong, or as you have done contact a few indies (or do it yourself if your skilled enough - as per 'andygo').  Most people have just had the tensioner swapped out, others have also had the chain. I opted for the tensioner only, some details page 14 I think on this thread.

Pays for your money takes choice I guess, choose which ever option gives you the best piece of mind. The VW warranty will not allow you to make a claim within the first month, you can also pay monthly if you wish.

Good Luck!
« Last Edit: 10 September 2014, 12:16 by mikegti77 »
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Offline gaurav_aidasani

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Thanks for the advice

I am also trying to avoid VW dealer as they don't want to commit to anything. The dealer that RocketRossUK suggested is way too far for me, as is the dealer where my car came from.

I guess going to an indy is wiser, is there a difference if I get the chain + tensioner replaced or just tensioner? I guess chain should be replaced only if it's stretched out?

By the way, word of warning with VW Warranty. Was quoted £550 per annum with breakdown cover but I read the t&c's and diagnostics are not covered! So could be a situation like Jags 84 above where the investigation alone costs ££££. This is what pis*es me off with VW dealers that they don't quote a firm price for an investigation.

If anyone else has suggestions then I'm all ears!

Offline mikegti77

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Thanks for the advice

I am also trying to avoid VW dealer as they don't want to commit to anything. The dealer that RocketRossUK suggested is way too far for me, as is the dealer where my car came from.

I guess going to an indy is wiser, is there a difference if I get the chain + tensioner replaced or just tensioner? I guess chain should be replaced only if it's stretched out?

By the way, word of warning with VW Warranty. Was quoted £550 per annum with breakdown cover but I read the t&c's and diagnostics are not covered! So could be a situation like Jags 84 above where the investigation alone costs ££££. This is what pis*es me off with VW dealers that they don't quote a firm price for an investigation.

If anyone else has suggestions then I'm all ears!

They don't call them stealers for nothing! ;)

The tensioner has the design issue, not the chain. Although there is re-designed chain now I believe, changing the chain imo opinion is only advised if the chain is rattling bad on tick over (stretched). I don't think the chain is classed as a service item.

It sounds like a good indy maybe the best option for you.  I'm sure others will reply to you also and put me right if I'm telling you duff info.

Let us know what you decide and how you get on.
« Last Edit: 10 September 2014, 14:35 by mikegti77 »
MK7 GTI, Carbon Grey, Pan Sunroof

Offline andygo

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If I were you I'd either swap it yourself or get a trusted Indie to do it for you. You really don't need a chain unless you have a high mileage car. If everythings ok now, why swap out other parts other than to big up the bill? If you look at the pictures of the original tensioner on a post I did earlier, it's obvious that the part is under engineered.

There will be no collateral damage to inspect as nothing has actually failed!

On that basis, VW will find no fault other than an occasional cold start rattle so you will have wasted your hard earned.

It's a relatively straightforward job, just looks a bit daunting. Stick to your guns and just get the part that's likely to fail swapped either by yourself or an Indie..

If you want me to talk you through it, pm me and I'll give you my phone number.
« Last Edit: 10 September 2014, 18:03 by andygo »

Offline C3PO

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Hi, My 2p's worth...

Avoid VW dealer, as without warranty it could end up costing a lot, although somewhere in this thread is an excellent main dealer mentioned when dealing with this issue - 'RocketRossUK' used them I think.

To me you have two options - take out an official VW warranty then you are covered should it go wrong, or as you have done contact a few indies (or do it yourself if your skilled enough - as per 'andygo').  Most people have just had the tensioner swapped out, others have also had the chain. I opted for the tensioner only, some details page 14 I think on this thread.

Pays for your money takes choice I guess, choose which ever option gives you the best piece of mind. The VW warranty will not allow you to make a claim within the first month, you can also pay monthly if you wish.

Good Luck!
[/quote]

The dealer RocketRoss used is the one I recommended, which is White Rose Volkswagen now called Skipton Volkswagen. I would recommend talking to Ben Smith in the service team, understands the issue. My 59 plate GTI had 50k on, and they rectified with minimal cost to me. As it has been said many times already, VW should be paying for this as the part used on Early MK 6's is substandard and poorly designed.

The rattle I had gradually got worse and I decided to replace before it went, with the garage confirming a slack chain but then also found other things which were fixed.

Good luck and if you intend to keep the car then it's worth having done.

Neil
Mk6 GTI, 18" monza shadows, Leather, Bluetooth Phone - gone

Mark 7 R, 19" wheels, lapiz blue, 5 door, leather, reversing camera - gone

2018 Audi S5 Sportback, pano roof, LED Headlights  B&O sound system - gone

Current 2020 Golf GTI TCR, pure grey, pano roof , 90% tints and Akrapovic exhaust.

Offline andygo

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Just my POV, but, getting the VW warranty is great, but it only kick in AFTER the event, eg when the car breaks down.

In my opinion, even though you shouldn't have to, its best to eliminate the problem before it becomes a failure. At least you can sort it out in a timeframe that's convenient to you. I can't stress to you how much aggro you can get from VW trying to sort this out after my son's experience on his GTi.