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Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: Fazeryam on 28 October 2016, 15:16

Title: Timing chain tensioner
Post by: Fazeryam on 28 October 2016, 15:16
Hi guys
Looking at buying a 2011 mk6 gtI and heard about tensioner problems. Anyone know the cost of replacing the tensioner with the updated one before it goes? Have tried searching but no joy. Cheers
Title: Re: Timing chain tensioner
Post by: joe6 on 28 October 2016, 17:31
Tensioner and chain with labour you are probably looking at £700 to £800 - could be less at an idie. There is lots of info on the tensioner sticky topic on this site.
Title: Re: Timing chain tensioner
Post by: Gtiless on 29 October 2016, 00:00
When I owned my Mk6 I had a ring round the S Yorkshire area of VW indies and got a load of "yeah Ill have a look at it and ring you back with a price" (to change the chain and tensioner,mine was a Sept 10' 60 plate)

No one ever rang me back. I couldnt live with the thought that one day I start it up and the engine destroys itself hence trading it for a Mk7.

I didnt really want to swap it so soon, I wanted another couple of years (ish) out of it but I felt my hand was forced in the end.
Title: Re: Timing chain tensioner
Post by: The ANT on 29 October 2016, 21:03
When I owned my Mk6 I had a ring round the S Yorkshire area of VW indies and got a load of "yeah Ill have a look at it and ring you back with a price" (to change the chain and tensioner,mine was a Sept 10' 60 plate)

No one ever rang me back. I couldnt live with the thought that one day I start it up and the engine destroys itself hence trading it for a Mk7.

I didnt really want to swap it so soon, I wanted another couple of years (ish) out of it but I felt my hand was forced in the end.

Things don't happen unless you make them happen, you have to pester people, if you liked the car enough you'd have fixed the problem, it sounds to me like an excuse to get the mk7.
There's loads of threads regarding this subject. I'd just make sure that i either bought a car that had already been sorted (which i did, new engine at 45000 miles) or sort it immediately using the fact that the issue is still there to beat the price of the car down.
Title: Re: Timing chain tensioner
Post by: Snoopy on 30 October 2016, 09:31
I was quoted £290 to change just the tensioner from a VW/audi specialist. (That includes labour, new cover plate, tensioner and new bolts)
Iirc VW main dealers won't do just the tensioner and quoted something like £1200 as changing the chain is alot more involving.
If the car has ~70k on worth doing both the chain and tensioner as the chain does stretch.
Title: Re: Timing chain tensioner
Post by: bagpuss on 30 October 2016, 14:31
I am looking to buy also, had 2 quotes £600 and £750 for new tensioner and chain.
Title: Re: Timing chain tensioner
Post by: Fazeryam on 30 October 2016, 22:04
Thanks guys, sounds like I need to factor this in during negotiations.  It's about time this was made a recall by vw.
Title: Re: Timing chain tensioner
Post by: Pld118 on 31 October 2016, 06:51
When I was buying our GTi off a main dealer 2.5 years ago, I asked them to replace the tensioner etc as part of the deal.  They point blank refused but told me they would replace it under the VW warranty if anything went awry.  I didn't believe them.

Anyhow, after a couple of months with me being convinced the car sounded like a low volume diesel, my perception being the chain was making a rattling sound; and after persistence and a complaint, they changed the tensioner, chain and all associated components, gratis, as a good will gesture to give me confidence in the car they'd sold me.
Title: Re: Timing chain tensioner
Post by: bagpuss on 31 October 2016, 11:53
The master technician at my local VW dealer has advised they will not replace it unless it breaks  :shocked:
Title: Re: Timing chain tensioner
Post by: Suavecolliedog on 20 November 2016, 21:22
Hi. I've just bought a 2011 (61 plate) gti.  I'm trying to find out if this has the modified chain tensioner on or the old one? If anyone could help me out I would be very grateful. Thanks.
Title: Re: Timing chain tensioner
Post by: The ANT on 20 November 2016, 22:02
Is there anything in the cars service history and invoices.
Title: Re: Timing chain tensioner
Post by: Suavecolliedog on 20 November 2016, 22:31
I haven't picked the car up yet. Picking it up later this week.
Title: Re: Timing chain tensioner
Post by: Snoopy on 22 November 2016, 09:38
Hi. I've just bought a 2011 (61 plate) gti.  I'm trying to find out if this has the modified chain tensioner on or the old one? If anyone could help me out I would be very grateful. Thanks.

1: Read the 5th post of the chain tensioner sticky thread.
2: Then watch https://youtu.be/G65J1aEszyc
3: Then watch https://youtu.be/qAdSyBRHOPs

Title: Re: Timing chain tensioner
Post by: gaurav_aidasani on 26 November 2016, 15:27
I think the issues with timing chain was on 2009/10 build models, from 2011 it was an updated version.
If you check out the sticky thread on this topic all owners that had the failure were 2009/10 owners.