Author Topic: Timing Chain tensioner Failure List (timing issue)- Please Update with Your Info  (Read 362423 times)

Offline barrym381

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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.
why not bring it to the attention of the salesman or saleswomen that sold you the car that you are worried about this issue see if they will get it done before you take delivery even show them this thread as proof as some dealers are hopeless  :smiley:

Offline ScreenMachine

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Good idea, just drafted an email asking them about it so we'll see what they say.

I'll hold sending them a link to this thread in reserve for if they try to claim it's not an issue. I have a feeling they'll only do it prophylactically if I simply pay for the job, so we'll have to see what a main dealer wants to charge... :wink:
« Last Edit: 15 February 2016, 14:30 by ScreenMachine »

Offline SunnyGTI

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When I read the details of the VW approved used warranty it did say something about cam chain etc being covered by warranty.

As long as your have the VW warranty you should be ok.

I'm not sure if having the tensioner replaced yourself would impact warranty :/

Offline ScreenMachine

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Good point. I assume if it's done by a dealer or one of the independents who say it won't affect warranty it'd be OK?

I always thought if you used genuine parts and a qualified workshop who follow VW's procedures it was OK, but that may be wrong?

Offline Thatsnotme

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Good point. I assume if it's done by a dealer or one of the independents who say it won't affect warranty it'd be OK?

I always thought if you used genuine parts and a qualified workshop who follow VW's procedures it was OK, but that may be wrong?

When I was buying my GTD last year I managed to get VW Walkingshaw to replace the tensioner and water pump for no additional cost within the terms of the sale. I know you mentioned that you have agreed to purchasing the vehicle, but have you made any payment? If you haven't placed a deposit I would definitely advise you to try and agree on some terms so that they replace the tensioner and water pump (after reading some posts you'll know it makes sense to do both at the same time), even if its at an additional cost its worthwhile as they're a main dealer.

Offline ScreenMachine

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Worth an ask. Doubt they'll chuck those in for free as it's probably over £1K and I already knocked them down on price, but if it's not extortionate I might as well have the dealer do it. At the very least then if anything did go wrong the onus would be on VW to make it right.

Offline Hardwell

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I'm sure there will be a cooling off period on the finance, so if you're within that still I'd threaten to pull out if they don't at least change the tensioner FOC.  They all claim that they've never heard of this issue, but there's 52 pages here saying otherwise.  I also tried a few VW indies but came unstuck on the timing tool(?) every time.  In all fairness though, I'm glad a VW dealer did it as I now have two years' warranty on the repair and I will have moved it on by time that runs out.
MK6 Golf GTi - Candy White - Xenons - RNS510 - Dynaudio - Bluetooth - 18" Monzas. Mods so far - Genuine LED rears - Milltek exhaust.

Offline ScreenMachine

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TBH, after a conversation I had with an indie specialist today I'm thinking of pulling out if it's possible and won't affect my credit rating.

Basically, if what he said is true, changing to the later tensioner and chains won't necessarily cure the issue as they're not sure it's the tensioner, but chain stretch.

I asked him if he though changing to the revised chains would cure and he still wasn't optimistic and said that only the later engine revision around 2012 was the certain thing.

Not sure if this is true, or just speculation, but he said there were theories about what causes it, one being load on the chains with people parking cars facing uphill with handbrakes on but the car in gear.

From a lifetime of being round cars it sounded a little far fetched to me, but the more I get into this I feel I might be better off pulling out if I can and just finding a different vehicle.

Offline Gtiless

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TBH, after a conversation I had with an indie specialist today I'm thinking of pulling out if it's possible and won't affect my credit rating.

Basically, if what he said is true, changing to the later tensioner and chains won't necessarily cure the issue as they're not sure it's the tensioner, but chain stretch.

I asked him if he though changing to the revised chains would cure and he still wasn't optimistic and said that only the later engine revision around 2012 was the certain thing.

Not sure if this is true, or just speculation, but he said there were theories about what causes it, one being load on the chains with people parking cars facing uphill with handbrakes on but the car in gear.

From a lifetime of being round cars it sounded a little far fetched to me, but the more I get into this I feel I might be better off pulling out if I can and just finding a different vehicle.

An independent I spoke to about possibly doing my tensioner and chain,(he didnt want to do it either) mentioned to me about the parking on hills in a gear that would try to turn the engine backwards with the weight of the car,he explained it as the backward movement of the engine de-tensioned the chain leading to the well documented engine failure.

Im no expert but it sounds feasible to me? This,(the tensioner issue) is the main reason why I have regretfully decided to trade my Mk6 in for a Mk7.

Offline gaurav_aidasani

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I think you should be alright with a Das Welt approved used car with 24 month warranty. From what I have read it should cover you in case of a failure. (unlike some other members who have 3rd party warranties and haven't been covered). Also, it only really affected 09/10 cars with later ones having an updated tensioner. As mentioned by other users, try to get it fixed if you can or at least try to get in writing from the dealership that if it goes, it will be covered under warranty.

These parts cost approximately £400 to change at an indy, I had mine updated as a precaution a couple of years ago (59 plate). The chain hadn't stretched but for extra precaution they changed the chain, tensioner and cover plate. Been fine since. I just treated it as a cambelt upgrade.

Don't let some of the horror stories put you off, these cars are very very good all rounders. I've been very pleased with mine, it's been faultless touchwood (apart from tensioner!).

Other option would be to search for a 2011/12 car if your budget permits?

 
« Last Edit: 15 February 2016, 22:18 by gaurav_aidasani »