Author Topic: Timing Chain tensioner Failure List (timing issue)- Please Update with Your Info  (Read 361606 times)

Offline bobbarley

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Thank god you guys have this post stickied. I just started looking at cheaper mk6 Golf GTI's, around 59/60 plate, and had no idea this problem even existed! I can't imagine most cars being sold second hand are going to have much evidence to back up the parts ever being replaced. Sounds like it's best to budget up to £1000 to get it all replaced as a preventative measure?

Offline Snoopy

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When looking at a car also look at the sticker on top of the engine. It states the date of build. Some have had replacement engines under warranty.
Mk6 GTI  &  Mk1 GTI 
34 years of GTI ownership.

Offline Arr0nUK

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So the dreaded timing chain failure has got me (tbc)...

2009 Mk6 GTi 77k

Thursday last week. Car would start in the morning. Was just turning over. No vibrations or noises. Had the AA out who tried starting it then it stopped turning over. Now won’t crank at all.

Garage say they can see damage to the value and piston in Cylinder 1. Everything else looks ok. Head coming off later today.

How did people approach VW? I know I don’t stand much of a chance with 77k miles however I am god dam going to try.

Did you call them or email them?

Also would turning over the engine cause valve damage? As I tried to start it and so did the AA guy a few times. The engine hasn’t ran since it was fine the night before.

Any ideas?

Offline mrjp

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Update on mine (2010 GTi, 71k):

Took it to a local specialist in Edinburgh. Confirmed that the tensioner had failed, and that the timing had jumped six teeth. By some miracle, it hadn't done any serious damage (garage said this was the first in four tensioner failures they'd had that hadn't totalled the engine). It's still showing an Emissions / Engine Management light and throwing a fault code that they couldn't see a cause for (said they'd be happy to explore further, but it would be a lot more labour), but I've done a couple of hundred miles in it and it's running great. Total repair including parts and labour was about £950.

On the downside, my blower motor has since decided this was all far too much excitement and has ceased to function. Also got chastised for the sh!tty oil filter that I'd fitted.

Offline joe6

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Update on mine (2010 GTi, 71k):

Took it to a local specialist in Edinburgh. Confirmed that the tensioner had failed, and that the timing had jumped six teeth. By some miracle, it hadn't done any serious damage (garage said this was the first in four tensioner failures they'd had that hadn't totalled the engine). It's still showing an Emissions / Engine Management light and throwing a fault code that they couldn't see a cause for (said they'd be happy to explore further, but it would be a lot more labour), but I've done a couple of hundred miles in it and it's running great. Total repair including parts and labour was about £950.

On the downside, my blower motor has since decided this was all far too much excitement and has ceased to function. Also got chastised for the sh!tty oil filter that I'd fitted.

Lucky the if only chains and tensioner! Always used good quality oil and VW filter every 6 months on mine. They must have some idea of the possible problem if they have a fault code?
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 mrjp

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Long and the short of it is that it's a P0016 error, but the timing is absolutely perfect (the garage checked it several times given the code being thrown). They flushed the engine and had the sump off to check for gunge / swarf, and there was *nothing*. This means it could be one of a few things, most likely the inlet camshaft variator, but it could also be something clogged / carbonised. Given it's running perfectly and the fact that the car's just eaten a grand's worth of my wedding budget, I'm not arsed about putting more into it right now.

Offline joe6

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At least it is working without any symptoms. As you say could be a number of things. I have found it useful to use VCDS to check the timing tolerance when up to temperature at idle without having to dismantle anything. Could still be a number of different issue but does check tensioner and for chain stretch.
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 Arr0nUK

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>>> UPDATE <<<

So car has been to VW after it failed to start one morning.

They have checked the Timing Chain and Tensioner and it's all fine.

Still no idea why I have bend values and a crushed spark plug in Cylinder 1.

Any idea's?

Offline topher

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maybe ingested the runner flap from the intake manifold?

Offline Arr0nUK

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maybe ingested the runner flap from the intake manifold?

That's a really good point it could well be that.

VW think something could of come through the inlet manifold hence only 1 cylinder having damage.

I am currently looking at options on a new engine / rebuilt one.  :cry: