Author Topic: Timing Chain tensioner Failure List (timing issue)- Please Update with Your Info  (Read 361600 times)

Offline Poached

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thanks poached, i will do that tomorrow when i pick it up. i have bought it from a seat dealer in fife. I'll keep an eye/ear on it after i get it home. it has 3 months warranty so should be ok. Also one of my mates owns his own garage so will take it up and speak to him about a price on changing out the tensioner.

don't think I'll sleep much tonight, can't wait to drive her again  :grin:

You could always take a recording and post it for others to listen to,enjoy the car :smiley:.
« Last Edit: 08 August 2014, 18:23 by Poached »

Offline mikegti77

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...So I went to see the specialist dealer and he said the car sounded fine with no rattling etc. He viewed the service booklet and said everything had been done and as there was no sound, rattling or previous issues the tensioner was better left alone as changing it might have a detrimental knock on effect on other components.

Went to see the main dealer and they were as helpful as a chocolate teapot. Out of warranty and basically no known problem as no recall. Amazing.

Again, he advised to take a warranty for peace of mind but just to make sure it covered everything.

Hi, I'm not sure how the specialist dealer tested the startup rattle, but bear in mind it only occurs when the oil pressure has dropped after being parked for say 3 - 4 hours or overnight.  With oil pressure there is no rattle, even on a worn tensioner.
MK7 GTI, Carbon Grey, Pan Sunroof

Offline Snoopy

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As I said near the start of the thread its a finite percentage going wrong you only ever hear about the bad ones.
Either change it for peace of mind or keep an ear out when you start the car when cold.
« Last Edit: 08 August 2014, 20:30 by Snoopy »
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Offline davidthegolfer

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Thank you so much for this list. It gave me the confidence to insist that VW pay for the repairs. Fortunately I had just lost power and no damage was done. After 10 days the car was delivered back fully repaired at no charge. Golf GTi Mk6 2010 with 28,000 miles. Thank you again. David

Offline GupSidhu

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Generally from the feedback you've received - How many rattle issues/engines need repairing AFTER the tensioners been replaced?

Stuck between replacing the tensioner for £350 or taking out a warranty for the same price..

Offline Pld118

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Sid,

The tensioner that would be fitted would be a revised and better design than the original.  If properly fitted you should have no issues during your period of ownership.  In any event, the parts and labour should be warrantied and so you should ask your appointed workshop how long they guarantee their labour for. 

As another example, the VW UK website states reference the "Replacement parts warranty. All Volkswagen Original replacement parts carry a warranty for a period of 2 years/unlimited mileage, from the date of purchase." ... and you would be wise to use genuine VW parts on an important issue such as this, regardless as to who fits the parts.

As for whether to get the revised tensioner and components work done for circa £350 or spending that money on a warranty, who are you considering getting a warranty with (check with the warranty provider before taking any warranty out that these specific parts, this specific issue and any consequential damage in the event of failure is covered)?

Then you need to decide whether you are having the tensioner work done, or buying a warranty instead or doing both.


Offline joe6

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Generally from the feedback you've received - How many rattle issues/engines need repairing AFTER the tensioners been replaced?

Stuck between replacing the tensioner for £350 or taking out a warranty for the same price..

The warranty is presumably for one year. The tensioner with VW parts guarantee is 2 years and probably labour at least one year. Revised parts now on second revision of design so less likely to fail ever. The warranty does not look like value for money unless you are selling soon.
Mk6 GTI Carbon Grey, 2010 Bluetooth and voice fitted, a few VCDS mods still a comfortable family car. Red Scirocco 2011 twin charger stage 1 - enjoyable drive now gone.  White 2016 Polo GTI (roller skate on steroids) replaced with an Indium Grey 2019 7.5 GTI PP.

Offline andygo

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Paying to have the tensioner sorted yourself will prevent an issue occurring. Buying a warranty will (possibly) sort the problem once the car has broken. Clearly, preventative maintenance is better than breaking down and being inconvenienced whilst you argue the toss with insurance/garage/vw at a time/place not of your choosing.

Offline GupSidhu

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Thanks for the feedback guys.

Let's say I were to get the tensioner replaced, apologies if I'm asking a question that's already been asked but are there a list of parts for the latest revision?

From your experience, what's the approximate cost for having the tensioner replaced by a garage?

The warranty I was looking at was through Warranty Wise who state in their policy booklet that they cover any damage caused to the cambelt/timing chain including the tensioner. And correct - It's for 12 months.

My catch 22 scenario is if I get the tensioner replaced I'd have spent the money on the tensioner + labour and then have to fork out for the repair bill. And the good old saying of if it ain't broken don't fix it comes to mind. And I agree prevention is always better than the cure. On the other hand if I get a warranty I'll be covered should anything happen with the max payout being the £350 every 12 months.

Decisions decisions..

Offline Rgdogg

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Don't know much about warranty wise but I pay for a VW warranty every year and it's only £260 a year up until it reaches 60,000 miles, that's with a £100 excess.
Gti, Candy White, 3door, DSG, Leather, Rear LEDs, Bluefin, Milltek, vwr intake, Focal speakers.