Author Topic: Timing Chain tensioner Failure List (timing issue)- Please Update with Your Info  (Read 362494 times)

Offline BlinGTIes

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Hi all,

It’s been a while so posting an update. Got my car towed to the indie specialist who unfortunately only got round to working on it today. All seemed to be going ok, replaced tensioner, guides and chain but when they started the engine it would cut out after a few seconds, like an immobiliser kicking in. After a few attempts it got running but they said they could hear a rattle - maybe the same as the one people have heard on here. Seems strange as they have changed everything.

Now they need to investigate further and maybe take the head off to check pistons and valves. Could that be making the rattle? Any ideas guys? I was so hoping it would be straight forward.

Offline mikegti77

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Hi all,

It’s been a while so posting an update. Got my car towed to the indie specialist who unfortunately only got round to working on it today. All seemed to be going ok, replaced tensioner, guides and chain but when they started the engine it would cut out after a few seconds, like an immobiliser kicking in. After a few attempts it got running but they said they could hear a rattle - maybe the same as the one people have heard on here. Seems strange as they have changed everything.

Now they need to investigate further and maybe take the head off to check pistons and valves. Could that be making the rattle? Any ideas guys? I was so hoping it would be straight forward.

Difficult to say, it goes sound like there is something else wrong, maybe this is why the VW main dealer wanted to investigate further (hence their price). I think you have no option but to get it sorted and let the indie investigate further.  Hopefully it is nothing too serious or expensive.

Let us know how it goes, good luck!
MK7 GTI, Carbon Grey, Pan Sunroof

Offline mikegti77

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  • Posts: 67
Hi all,

It’s been a while so posting an update. Got my car towed to the indie specialist who unfortunately only got round to working on it today. All seemed to be going ok, replaced tensioner, guides and chain but when they started the engine it would cut out after a few seconds, like an immobiliser kicking in. After a few attempts it got running but they said they could hear a rattle - maybe the same as the one people have heard on here. Seems strange as they have changed everything.

Now they need to investigate further and maybe take the head off to check pistons and valves. Could that be making the rattle? Any ideas guys? I was so hoping it would be straight forward.

Difficult to say, it goes sound like there is something else wrong, maybe this is why the VW main dealer wanted to investigate further (hence their price). I think you have no option but to get it sorted and let the indie investigate further.  Hopefully it is nothing too serious or expensive.

Let us know how it goes, good luck!

How did it all turn out with your MK6 BlinGTIes, I notice you are now a happy MK7.5 owner!   :smiley:
MK7 GTI, Carbon Grey, Pan Sunroof

Offline Henk155

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I am going to look at a 2009 golf gti as well this week.
But what really suprise me from a model that had a reputation with the chain tensioner that these cars still quite expensive.

Henk.

Offline Jimmgc51

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Tbf though mine is up for sale now and is a 2009 but the engine is replaced so this issue should be of no concern to the new owner and so should not affect the value of the car.

I persoanlly wouldn't touch one though that either hasn't had a new engine or revised tensioner fitted with all documentation proving that to be the case
Golf GTI 09, CW, Bi-Xenon, DCC, 18" Monza's, Jakarta, RNS510, Dynaudio, F&R parking sensors, Winter pack...

Ibiza Deep House mix for DL - https://soundcloud.com/jimmgc51/getting-deep-with-house

Offline lg1234

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I'm going to look at a 2009 Mk6 GTI at the weekend, it had the chain and tensioner done at 60k and its now at 85k. Once that work was done it should be ok? Or worst case scenario the chain will stretch and need to be done again in future? if the work has been done I presume the tensioner shouldn't fail, resulting in me needing a new engine? (that's my main concern, I can deal with a stretched chain over the next few years)

Or maybe I should just avoid altogether and get an ST  :undecided:

Offline Jimmgc51

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It will be fine, no failures on engines post 2010/2011. Updated tensioner fixed it so should not need to worry about it. Just make sure all the paperwork is in order.

Also my 09 is still for sale so if your still looking after this one take a look in the classifieds, price has been dropped again!
Golf GTI 09, CW, Bi-Xenon, DCC, 18" Monza's, Jakarta, RNS510, Dynaudio, F&R parking sensors, Winter pack...

Ibiza Deep House mix for DL - https://soundcloud.com/jimmgc51/getting-deep-with-house

Offline jord91

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well had the dreaded tensioner issue 2011 gti with 86k miles
luckily i caught it in time for it not to do any damage to engine its just slack so will be changed  :cry: :cry:

Offline david25

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What were the symptoms please?
Now = 2011 MK6 GTI - Reflex Silver
Past = 2006 MK5 GTI - Tornado Red and Solid Black

Offline jord91

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well i got a engine fault light coming on and off but car felt normal

i could hear something from the engine like a slight rattle/vibration sort of noise
managed to get home ok and the next day on cold start up i could hear the chain rattle as i started the car
so listen out for that on cold starts

took to my garage and they did there bits and told me to chain is starting to become slack and is out of timing by a small amount so £800 to fix  :cry: hopefully get the car back by end of the week