Failed Engine MK6 GTI 37K on clock

[Dan Garratt]

Hi All,

New on here but after some advice if anyone knows of this fault!

So my wife was driving her GTI 2 weeks ago and the engine light came on, only issue the car had after this was a little slow to start on the key.  Been to VW, they said cam shaft position sensor but couldn't clear the fault so said they needed to open the engine.  Next day they opened the engine and found that a "mesh" that sits between the cam chain and engine block was missing therefore said they had to remove the head.  After removing the head they found the mesh in the engine damaging the valves and we now have 2 bent cam shafts.  They have informed me today that the bottom end has metal in it and has lost oil pressure therefore need new engine.  VW UK have refused to support the repair due to 2 of the 5 services not being at VW!!  Firstly anyone know of this fault in the "mesh" falling into the engine also any advice? 

[RocketRossUK]

Yes i have seen the mesh fail before, on mine!!!!

Luckily the mesh and the metal ball stayed inside the tube. I had it replaced and its fine now, lucky escape, here is what it looks like:



and this is the other part that kind of failed:

[golfhappy]

Hi All,

New on here but after some advice if anyone knows of this fault!

So my wife was driving her GTI 2 weeks ago and the engine light came on, only issue the car had after this was a little slow to start on the key.  Been to VW, they said cam shaft position sensor but couldn't clear the fault so said they needed to open the engine.  Next day they opened the engine and found that a "mesh" that sits between the cam chain and engine block was missing therefore said they had to remove the head.  After removing the head they found the mesh in the engine damaging the valves and we now have 2 bent cam shafts.  They have informed me today that the bottom end has metal in it and has lost oil pressure therefore need new engine.  VW UK have refused to support the repair due to 2 of the 5 services not being at VW!!  Firstly anyone know of this fault in the "mesh" falling into the engine also any advice? 

Take it's not under warranty with 5 services! you may have had a goodwill gesture if they had been all VW but i think it's right that if an independent garage sticks to the service schedule using correct or similar spec parts, they're VAT reg you can report them to the EU commision...well i would 

[ajmoir36]

Out of interest what is that part that failed?

[Rhyso]

Sound like a broken record with regards to this but .....

Trading Standards- get them involved and DO NOT PAY A PENNY!!  This issue is clearly a manufacturing fault and even though its outside of its warranty you should not have to pay a penny

[Dan Garratt]

Basically this is what I have from the Garage on Email

We are just currently pricing up the repairs. We have checked with Germany for any contribution on the repairs required on the car and they have come back 0%.

Next we will confirm costs. As I have explained we will try talking to VW UK but do note the last two services on the car are not via VW and prior to that are not with ourselves (another VW garage).

There are currently two options we are looking at:

1) A complete repair of the head where damage has occurred through the gauze failing and loss of oil pressure as a result. This is what our technical bulletin advises.

2) An option that we do however want to mention is a complete engine. The worry is the block could of sustained damage from the loss of upper oil pressure as well as tiny fragments going around the engine. We are worried that we could go ahead with all the repairs to the head and then find further faults.

I am looking at Sales of Goods Act that states I have 6 years even out of warranty, it is down to VW to prove that 5 years 11 months would be a reasonable time for the engine to last for me to foot the bill, here is hoping!!!

[SunnyGTI]

If your VW garage is not being helpful I would go on Twitter and complain.

@VWUKHelp

I tweeted that I had issue with my garage and they suggested I email them the details. They then spoke to garage and pushed things forwards. Using Twitter is a good way to speed up process and get this issue out. VW won't accept they know it is a common issue but going on Twitter will get customer services involved and help if your local VW dealer is not being that helpful

[Dan Garratt]

Thanks I will do that now 

[candywhite12]

Thanks I will do that now 

i'm pretty sure there's an EU directive somewhere saying that even if you had your services in a garage other than the manufacturer's (ie VW's), your guarantee would still be valid if you had your services at a garage that fulfills certain requirements ie using proper diagnostics, genuine parts etc.  I had a similar experience down here and having never ever taken the car to the dealers for service, all the (quite substantial) expenses that incurred from a failed mechatronic at around 60k miles were covered - not that the dealers didn't try to avoid that mind you.  I think if you search the EU database you'll be able to locate this, it's something something under automobile guarantees if i recall correctly.  hope it all pans out well

[Dan Garratt]

So latest from VW and what I must say is the most shocking news...  We got the price all in all we are looking at £6886.86 all in, but contacted by VWUK I expected them to offer something small like £1,000 towards me.  In their words "they are not happy to support this repair as it would be reasonable to expect engine failure after 3 years!!" I almost fell off my chair, the worst thing was when I contacted the garage and informed me about the 2 services would be part of their case as I wouldn't show as a loyal VW customer....
In the last 5 years I have had not including the GTI;
2.0 Golf TDI 09 plate
2.0 Golf Plus 59 plate
2.0 Golf GTD 64 plate but not loyal 
Also what they don't know is the reason I had the services outside of VW, during the last few services I had cancer (age 33 years old) trying to run a car, house, mortgage and bills somethings like a VW service have to suffer.

The most awful customer services I have had...