Not another tension failure... That's whats wrong with my GTI!

[Jimmgc51]

Started the car this morning it turned over about 6 times and then decided to start. It moved to its fast idle but only for about a third of the time it usually does and then it dropped down to a rough juddering (best described) idle. I gave it a little gas and it seems to go when the RPM raises but then drops back into the same idle.

I turned it off and back on again same start as before had to turn it over a number of times then rough idle. So safe to say the cars at home and I've took the spare and also safe to say there is a problem but thought id put it out there and see if anyone may have a simple solution for there is a lot of knowledge on this forum and I don't really know much at all about cars and would be nice saving a pointless trip to the garage.

So is there some things I could check I was thinking spark plug maybe (although they were all changed last year), coil pack anything else???

Could it be bad fuel, I had just filled up with a full tank and then drove straight home and I noticed last night the car took a little longer to start when I needed to move it slightly but thought nothing of it! (Don't want to brand drop in case its not this but its one of the best fuels available from a reputable supplier ;-)

Any help would be appreciated, if not will have to sign up to breakdown and call them out, don't really want to risk driving it in its current state.

For the record there is no warning lights or error's being displayed on the dash!


Thanks 

[RocketRossUK]

you got VCDS to scan it? that would be a start.

Could be plugs or coils, but they usually give an error.

[Snoopy]

What age and model is the GTI.

Wouldnt be suprised if its another case of the chain tensioner caused the timing chain to jump a couple of teeth on cold startup.
The car then retimes itself to try and keep it running. Making it do what you describe.



It could of cause just be as simple as a plug or coil pack..

Vagcom/vcds or vw dealer scan will show the cuase I suspect.

[Jimmgc51]

What age and model is the GTI.

Wouldnt be suprised if its another case of the chain tensioner caused the timing chain to jump a couple of teeth on cold startup.
The car then retimes itself to try and keep it running. Making it do what you describe.

Yeah you've said exactly what I was thinking, didn't think though if this had happened it would keep starting, I started it 3 times this morning the final time to move it out of the way so I could get the other car out.

Anyhoo UPDATE it won't even start, tried again tonight made a weird sound from the left of the engine now nothing just turns over and over.

I actually called VW customer care UK last month about the tensioner and was told there is nothing wrong, added this to a recent post from another member who had just had his fixed by VW.

So need to join a breakdown service then give them a call after the allotted grace period and get it towed to VW.

Update to follow, fingers crossed its something else but my monies on the tensioner..

[Jimmgc51]

Its an 09 May build with 55,000 on the clock. Sitting at about the perfect time for this fault....

[Snoopy]

Sadly my moneys on the tensioner    but keep us updated.

[Neil gti]

Sadly my moneys on the tensioner    but keep us updated.

Hope it's not the tensioner pal and is just an easy fix, like a coil pack or something

[squirrelGTi]

This doesn't fill me with confidence. I hope it's an easy fix, but i fear the worst for you pal.

Keep us posted.

[Raffe]

I have everything crossed in getting our Mar '10 GTi to BMW on Friday as a trade in as this problem fills me with dread and seems to be getting more common.

Fingers crossed for you OP its something simple.

[mike.]

Just keep everything crossed when you pick the BM up as they have similar issues as reported on watchdog a few months back.