Author Topic: Timing Chain tensioner Failure List (timing issue)- Please Update with Your Info  (Read 362437 times)

Offline Pioneer Performance

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TPS will likely be the cheapest - approximately £40 for the tensioner i think

Offline Bobbydazzlerr

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Spoke to tps the cover is £77 which i fort was quite expensive does anyone no if i could re use the cover?
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Offline Pioneer Performance

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Just been quoted around £400 in labour only on replacing the cam chain tensioner. 8 hour job apparently.

Can anyone in the North East recommend a specialist Garage ?

Offline mikegti77

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Just been quoted around £400 in labour only on replacing the cam chain tensioner. 8 hour job apparently.

Can anyone in the North East recommend a specialist Garage ?

I used 'VASSTECH' located in Darlington, they charged 4 hours labour for my tensioner, they did mine around two years ago. Read page 14 and 16 of this thread for parts and cost break down at the time.

Hope this helps.
MK7 GTI, Carbon Grey, Pan Sunroof

Offline trackep

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Is this a case of not what if but when a tensioner will fail? Thinking of buying a 10plate with 39k on tomorrow and starting to think mayb i shouldn't. If i get the tensioner replaced will that be the end of it and i won't have to worry?

Offline Bobbydazzlerr

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Replaced tensioner today and come up with fault code cam shaft sensor could the vvti timing be out? Car struggle to start when starts runs fine just under power at bottom end off the revs any help be great?
Full blueflame 3inch turbo back system sports cat, pipercross panel filter, revo stage 2 remap 290 bhp 350 lbft, neuspeed short shift, heko wind deflectors, forge blow off valve.

Offline Bobbydazzlerr

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Update it was my chain that was stretched i would highly recomend if you are replacing the tensioner to replace the chain aswell
Full blueflame 3inch turbo back system sports cat, pipercross panel filter, revo stage 2 remap 290 bhp 350 lbft, neuspeed short shift, heko wind deflectors, forge blow off valve.

Offline ScreenMachine

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Just in the process of buying a MK6 GTI from a main dealer and have already agreed to the sale before I came across this. It will come with 2-years VW approved warranty.

Obviously this thread worries me a little, since this car is a big investment for me. I've not read every single page, but enough to understand the main issues, I hope!

The car I'm buying is registered late 2010, so I'm hoping it has at least the 1st revision tensioner fitted. That said, I'll be looking to replace it pretty quickly for peace of mind (and because me and the girlfriend will be going on holiday on the continent in May, which is 2500-mile round trip and I don't want the chance of a major failure during that.

Can I just ask whether it's always enough to replace the tensioner? When I asked my mate who's also my usual mechanic, he queried whether people usually change the belt and guides too, as they would be his instinct. Would there be any indication of when to do the whole job - do you ever get wear on the chain or stretching? I get very much mates rates on labour and also have a friendly VW parts guy (I've bought so much VW/Audi parts from him over the years I get a discount).

[edit: is it worth doing the mesh strainer and magnetic plug I noticed on one of the thread pages? Anything else I've missed which might be worth doing 'while you're in there'?

Do you think I should just get the whole job done and then not worry?
« Last Edit: 15 February 2016, 14:33 by ScreenMachine »

Offline Hardwell

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In all honesty, if I'd have known then what I know now, I probably wouldn't have bought the car in the first place; however if you do get it, I would definitely be getting at least the tensioner changed and the cam chain inspected at the same time.  I was lucky as the chain had only slipped enough to bring the EM light on and make the car difficult to start - fortunately no terminal damage was done.  Even so, it was still a £1400 repair bill that the warranty wouldn't cover so triple check that yours will if you don't get the work done upfront. 
« Last Edit: 14 February 2016, 12:22 by Hardwell »
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Offline ScreenMachine

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I'm already committed to the sale and finance, so a bit late not to buy, that said I'll email and ask them explicitly about the warranty position should this fail.

Just read through the procedure and surprised at the amount of special tools needed, etc. Not sure my mechanic will have all those.

Can anyone recommend a known specialist indie garage worth their salt for this job in the South? Wondering if it might be easier in this case to take it to somewhere which has the tools and is used to the job.