Author Topic: Timing Chain tensioner Failure List (timing issue)- Please Update with Your Info  (Read 361590 times)

Offline Realbadman

  • Just got here
  • *
  • Posts: 4
that sucks mate  :sad:
pretty much the same situation i was in this time last year
i decided to put mine away for about 8 months,think about it, then got it rebuilt
i had just finished paying the finance off on mine though so decided i would keep it and put some money into the engine rather than getting another car which i was gonna do before it went
it all depends on your financial situation i suppose,i can apreciate if you are still paying the finance off every month that a repair job like this can be crippling

Sorry for the long awaited reply. I tried to get it fixed using this company: http://reconditionedengines.co/

They F’d the job up so badly the car didn’t pass an MOT! I’m now a further 3k out of pocket - what’s that saying, buy cheap buy twice. I wouldn’t recommend these f*ckers to anyone!!! Seems like I’m not the only person from reading their reviews as they only accept cash or bank transfer so can’t even claim your money back or even get a response from them as they ignore you completely! solicitor route will cost me as much if not more! I’m very begrudgingly having to take it at a lose.

So it’s got an engine which is supposed to be reconditioned but it’s not! It’s got cylinders 2 & 3 misfiring, an o2 sensor problem (minor), engine is now making a funny noise and is leaking a lot of oil. I’m wanna get rid now so will have to sell it’s at a lose in the condition it is in.
Good project for someone who has the time and money. Before all this it was a decent motor and we never had any trouble with for 4+ years. In good condition too.
Looking for £8000 ONO.
It’s a 2011 Red - Adidas Limited edition with a little over 60,000 on the mileage.

Offline roblyt

  • Not said much yet
  • **
  • Posts: 26
that sucks mate  :sad:
pretty much the same situation i was in this time last year
i decided to put mine away for about 8 months,think about it, then got it rebuilt
i had just finished paying the finance off on mine though so decided i would keep it and put some money into the engine rather than getting another car which i was gonna do before it went
it all depends on your financial situation i suppose,i can apreciate if you are still paying the finance off every month that a repair job like this can be crippling





Sorry for the long awaited reply. I tried to get it fixed using this company: http://reconditionedengines.co/

They F’d the job up so badly the car didn’t pass an MOT! I’m now a further 3k out of pocket - what’s that saying, buy cheap buy twice. I wouldn’t recommend these f*ckers to anyone!!! Seems like I’m not the only person from reading their reviews as they only accept cash or bank transfer so can’t even claim your money back or even get a response from them as they ignore you completely! solicitor route will cost me as much if not more! I’m very begrudgingly having to take it at a lose.

So it’s got an engine which is supposed to be reconditioned but it’s not! It’s got cylinders 2 & 3 misfiring, an o2 sensor problem (minor), engine is now making a funny noise and is leaking a lot of oil. I’m wanna get rid now so will have to sell it’s at a lose in the condition it is in.
Good project for someone who has the time and money. Before all this it was a decent motor and we never had any trouble with for 4+ years. In good condition too.
Looking for £8000 ONO.
It’s a 2011 Red - Adidas Limited edition with a little over 60,000 on the mileage.

is that what they charged you? 3k?
before I decided what route to go with mine I can remember having a discussion with the guy who rebuilt my engine
mentioning that I could get a recon engine fitted for sub 3k
he told me it would be a load of crap for that kind of money

Offline Realbadman

  • Just got here
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Yea around £3k, but I kinda knew it would bite back in the ass!

Offline roblyt

  • Not said much yet
  • **
  • Posts: 26
Yea around £3k, but I kinda knew it would bite back in the ass!

they fitted this recon engine for you too I take it?
just swapping the engine out in itself is quite a labour intensive job if its just a bare engine, then on top of that you apparently have a good reconditioned engine all in for for 3k?
they either put a crap engine in or are literally paying monkeys to do the job, or both
but then again seeing as they only take cash payment or bank transfer they obviously don't pay their fair share in tax, so can probably afford do it a little bit cheaper
its a shame that's a rare car too, never even knew such a car existed
« Last Edit: 04 January 2020, 15:11 by roblyt »

Offline Arms_Trade

  • Just got here
  • *
  • Posts: 3
Hi guys, just wanted to share my experience getting the following done as preventative maintenance:

Timing Chain
Timing Chain Tensioner
Timing Chain Cover
Timing Chain Guides/Rails
Balance Shaft Timing Chain
Balance Shaft Guides/Rails
Oil Pump Chain
Oil Pump Tensioner
Oil Pickup Pipe
Oil Pickup Pipe Seal
Crankshaft Oil Seal
Crankshaft Bolt
Gasket x2
Sealant
Sump Bung Washer
Oil Filter
5W40 Platinum Engine Oil (4.5u)

Took it to James at VDS Performance for £950, all OEM revised parts and done in 3 days. Other places were trying to charge me £1100 for the same replacement parts and just the tensioner and timing chain.

All my components inside were stock, I did some live data on my OBD11 and saw that my chain stretch was at -3.85° when engine was 90° warm. Decided to get it done to save the headache, when I brought it in he said that the reading I had was correct and on the day he got round to changing everything it had hit the -4.00° mark. James came highly recommended from another MK6 forum.

Very pleased with using him and his price was more than reasonable. He also had a look at my fuel pump which was giving me a bit of an extended crank.
« Last Edit: 28 February 2020, 11:28 by Arms_Trade »

Offline Borbus

  • Not said much yet
  • **
  • Posts: 91
I have 2010 Mk6 and not sure what version of tensioner it has. Probably original. I budgeted for it to be replaced, though. But I'm having trouble finding a specialist near me who is even aware of timing chain tensioner issues. I just want to get it checked to confirm the version initially. First one I rang up told me he'd have to disassemble the engine to get to the timing chain. When I tried to explain that it's the tensioner and can be inspected without disassembling the engine he told me I was telling him how to do his job and hung up on me. Second one also hadn't heard of it but at least listened to me and said they'd take a look and try to get the part number of the tensioner for me.

Any recommendations for specialists in the Cambridge area?
2010 Mk6 GTI

Offline Q451m

  • Not said much yet
  • **
  • Posts: 11
Q451m 83k March 2020 resolution new engine at full price

Offline seabrook132

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 580
I have 2010 Mk6 and not sure what version of tensioner it has. Probably original. I budgeted for it to be replaced, though. But I'm having trouble finding a specialist near me who is even aware of timing chain tensioner issues. I just want to get it checked to confirm the version initially. First one I rang up told me he'd have to disassemble the engine to get to the timing chain. When I tried to explain that it's the tensioner and can be inspected without disassembling the engine he told me I was telling him how to do his job and hung up on me. Second one also hadn't heard of it but at least listened to me and said they'd take a look and try to get the part number of the tensioner for me.

Any recommendations for specialists in the Cambridge area?

Bit of a late reply on this post but Quattro-Tech in St Ives are very good.

2011 GTI DSG 5dr, Tornado Red, 18" Monza Shadows, Heated Leather, RNS-510, MDI, Bilstein B16 PSS10 Coilovers, Ohlins DCC Cancellation Kit, Audi TT-RS Front Top Mounts, Whiteline 24mm Rear ARB, Michelin Pilot Sport 4, 034 Motorsports Street Density Engine and Gearbox Mounts, Audi R8 Red Coil Packs, NGK BKR7EIX, Millers 5W-40 Nanodrive

Offline Borbus

  • Not said much yet
  • **
  • Posts: 91
Bit of a late reply on this post but Quattro-Tech in St Ives are very good.
Cheers, mate. I already found out Quattro-Tech from someone on Pistonheads! I actually live in St Ives so I was so happy find them. I'm booked in for a new timing kit next week so I'll update the thread to let people know the final costs etc. They've already given my car a service and once over and I'm very pleased with them so far.

I'm approaching 70k miles now so a bit nervous driving it around although I do have a "Warranty Assist" warranty which claims to cover it.
« Last Edit: 07 June 2020, 23:19 by Borbus »
2010 Mk6 GTI

Offline Borbus

  • Not said much yet
  • **
  • Posts: 91
Got mine done at Quattro-Tech. It took them a bit longer than expected as they found the engine had already been touched in that area and was missing several bolts and washers. Bit worrying, but the engine is still going fine so good to know that's been sorted now.

Overall £800 all in for labour plus timing chain, tensioner, guides, gasket, timing case, sealant and all the extra bolts (9 in total).

I really like Quattro-Tech. Lucky to have them in my new home town!
2010 Mk6 GTI