Author Topic: Timing Chain tensioner Failure List (timing issue)- Please Update with Your Info  (Read 362421 times)

Offline andygo

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 177
I realise what you think RR, but on the other hand, it might help. I'm off to France tomorrow, so any tiny thing that might help...

It took 20 mins for an oil and filter change, who is to say its a wasted exercise if it all holds together. If it all goes pop, you would blame yourself for doing nothing! Catch 22.....

Offline Snoopy

  • Moderator
  • Serious forum addict
  • *****
  • Posts: 7,732
  • A.K.A. Geoff.
ITS A MECHANICAL FAILURE. THE TENSIONER RATCHET IS WEAK. POOR DESIGN. IT BREAKS OR LOOSES TEETH. ITS WHY IT WAS REDESIGNED.



The chain design is not great it stretches with mileage.
Mk6 GTI  &  Mk1 GTI 
34 years of GTI ownership.

Offline andygo

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 177
Yep. I understand all of that, but if my fresh oil is a bit thicker, then it's more resistant to draining out of the tensioner.

Practically, what else can I do?  Bin the hols?

Offline RocketRossUK

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,186
Yep. I understand all of that, but if my fresh oil is a bit thicker, then it's more resistant to draining out of the tensioner.

Practically, what else can I do?  Bin the hols?

I know what your saying Andy, but oil wont help. The tensioner has hardly no oil near / on it.

Anyways, I wish you good luck on your holidays. Im sure yours cant be as bad as mine was and mine didnt go.

PS: Im sure you have known about this fault for over a month, you should have got it in at an indies and got it fixed.
MK6 GTI CSG | Revo Stage 2 | Revo Stage 2 Intake | Milltek 3" TB Exhaust | SuperPro Anti Lift Kit | H&R ARB's | Bilstein B12 | TT Short Shifter |Mintex M1144 Race Pads | HEL Braided Lines |

MK5 GTI - DSG + Extras (Sold because DSG was Soooo Boring !!!)

Offline andygo

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 177
Yesterday was the first time it occurred on my car so was hoping for the best, but always had it in mid to have it swapped at the first sign of trouble.

I understand that its the oil draining out of the tensioner that allows the poorly designed ratchet mechanism inside to compress, thereby allowing the cam chain to lose tension. As there is slack in the chain, the cam timing moves, allowing valves to hit pistons.

In normal service, the tensioner is kept tight by the engine oil pressure. Thats why the early symptoms disapear as the oil pressure  produced when the engine starts pumps up the tensioner. Thats why I changed to a slightly thicker oil, to try and help the tensioner retain oil overnight.

Offline RocketRossUK

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,186
Oil pressure drops after 4-5 hours, so unless your a vampire, the pressure will drop over night  :tongue:

Best thing to do is, put you key in to the first turn, wait 10 second then prey to god and turn  :laugh:
MK6 GTI CSG | Revo Stage 2 | Revo Stage 2 Intake | Milltek 3" TB Exhaust | SuperPro Anti Lift Kit | H&R ARB's | Bilstein B12 | TT Short Shifter |Mintex M1144 Race Pads | HEL Braided Lines |

MK5 GTI - DSG + Extras (Sold because DSG was Soooo Boring !!!)

Offline andygo

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 177
I'm leaving the engine running 24/7.  :whistle:

Offline Jags 84

  • Not said much yet
  • **
  • Posts: 41
Hi guys thanks for your replies I listened to your advice and have cancelled the booking at VW & have booked the car in at a independent specialist. Oh & by the way my wife reminded me that the car still has a aftermarket warranty on it so hopefully that should cover it!  :whistle: I am also going to ask them to do a dsg software update whilst they have it as the car from time to time jumps forward when I take my foot off the pedal to the extent where other people in the car comment on it! The dsg oil was changed at 40k miles. Do you think the software update should cure this? Thanks guys

Offline RocketRossUK

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,186
Either an update or a fully DSG reset can be done. A fully reset sorted my problem out,
MK6 GTI CSG | Revo Stage 2 | Revo Stage 2 Intake | Milltek 3" TB Exhaust | SuperPro Anti Lift Kit | H&R ARB's | Bilstein B12 | TT Short Shifter |Mintex M1144 Race Pads | HEL Braided Lines |

MK5 GTI - DSG + Extras (Sold because DSG was Soooo Boring !!!)

Offline Poached

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 716
Hi guys thanks for your replies I listened to your advice and have cancelled the booking at VW & have booked the car in at a independent specialist. Oh & by the way my wife reminded me that the car still has a aftermarket warranty on it so hopefully that should cover it!  :whistle: I am also going to ask them to do a dsg software update whilst they have it as the car from time to time jumps forward when I take my foot off the pedal to the extent where other people in the car comment on it! The dsg oil was changed at 40k miles. Do you think the software update should cure this? Thanks guys

I would be interested to find out if the insurer will cover anything without a failed component. In this instance it would surely be in the insurers interest.