Author Topic: Timing Chain tensioner Failure List (timing issue)- Please Update with Your Info  (Read 429880 times)

Offline Snoopy

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  • Geoff.
If its really what you wanted go for it.
A mate of mine has terminal cancer. He always wanted an R32 mk5. So he got one late last year.
Not the best one in my eyes, but if hes happy.  :cool:








Tensioner revisions.
1st updated revision, engines built from 17 May 2010
2nd revision, engines built from December 2011.
3rd revision, engines built from  01 May 2012.
Label on top of engine chain cover notes the engine build date.

« Last Edit: 22 December 2022, 08:06 by Snoopy »
Mk6 GTI  &  Mk1 GTI 
34 years of GTI ownership.

Offline Jason123

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Seen a January 2014 63 plate have this tensioner issue seems to have gone on longer this issue 😖

Offline Snoopy

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  • Geoff.
Seen a January 2014 63 plate have this tensioner issue seems to have gone on longer this issue 😖
Depends what the route of the cause was determined. It could be a number of things. It could be as you say have failed as probability of any part failing is never zero.
It could be something else causing it to fail, oil feed, chain stretch, cambridge, sprocket ware, etc etc thenlist goes on.
Remember the mk7-8 still use a similar setup to the 6 just the ecu monitor the chain stretch and timing unlike the 6 and stop it destroying the engine.
Mk6 GTI  &  Mk1 GTI 
34 years of GTI ownership.

Offline Smokey Putnum

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Just adding this here - just bought a 2010 MK6 Golf GTI, with 38,000 miles on the clock. Its running lovely, no strange noises on startup but I have been phoning around local garages to get estimates on changing the timing chain and tensioner.
MK6 Golf GTI. Candy White, DSG, original infotainment system, no heated seats, 38.200 miles

Offline joe6

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I am over 100k miles in mine (2010) and still no noises and phase difference still well within tolerance. Owned from new and oil  changes every 6 months. Worth  changing if history not clear though.
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 jacgiv97

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Hi all, happy new year! I'm looking at a UK car with 47k miles, registered in November 2011 (61 plate). From reading this thread, I can't find evidence of late 2011 cars having timing chain tensioner issues.

Since this car likely has the first revised part, is it worth worrying about updating to the final revision? Should I plan for a replacement, or can I rest easy? I've searched online but haven't found 2011 failure reports—though Americans seem to think only 2013 cars are safe. Interested in hearing people's opinions.
Now = 1990 Golf GTI MK2 8v, 5dr black, original - 2011 Polo 1.2 TSI DSG, meer blue

Past = 1996 Golf GTI MK3 16v, 5dr silver, original - 2007 Golf GTI MK5, 5dr shadow blue - 2000 Lupo 1.4 cornflower blue

Offline joe6

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Happy New Year jacgiv97. As you indicate there were 2 revisions of the tensioner. As far as I know there is no clear date for when the final revision was introduced - a vin number would have been useful but I have not been able to trace one and that is probably because the part was phased in as old stock was used up. If you are concerned about the state of the tensioner you can check through the inspection hole in the chain cover. Video link gives some idea of the process. As I said in an earlier post if not sure how well maintained and going to be a keeper then worth at least doing the visual check and phase check. My 2010 seems to be ok at present with 110000miles and original tensioner.

 https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=checking+tensioner+mk6+gti&mid=E5E1176488512EC5F944E5E1176488512EC5F944&FORM=VIRE
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 Snoopy

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  • Geoff.

Tensioner revisions.
1st updated revision, engines built from 17 May 2010
2nd revision, engines built from December 2011.
3rd revision, engines built from  01 May 2012.
Label on top of engine chain cover notes the engine build date.

Jacgiv97,
It's upto you each revision it reduces ppm risk of failure  Also remember age is now against it and also chain stretch has an impact. I've read failures on all versions over the years now but the newer the version the better.
« Last Edit: 17 January 2025, 17:03 by Snoopy »
Mk6 GTI  &  Mk1 GTI 
34 years of GTI ownership.

Offline jacgiv97

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Right of course, I hadn't considered that effect that the age of the vehicle could have on the part. I will probably get it in that case, better safe than sorry.
Now = 1990 Golf GTI MK2 8v, 5dr black, original - 2011 Polo 1.2 TSI DSG, meer blue

Past = 1996 Golf GTI MK3 16v, 5dr silver, original - 2007 Golf GTI MK5, 5dr shadow blue - 2000 Lupo 1.4 cornflower blue