Top 10 Preventative Maintenance Tips

[Pld118]

Hi, just wondering what people see as their top 10 preventative maintenance essentials to keep the MK6 GTi tip top (aside to the standard service schedule)?

Ours just hitting 60k miles now, is going great and intend to kept it that way!

[seabrook132]

Ok not sure I'll come up with ten but I'll just rattle off some things I do/plan to do with mine. Some of this will be applicable to any car and some specific. Not necessarily in any order and I'm sure there'll be stuff I forget but here goes:

- Keep it clean! I'm a bit more obsessive about cleaning being one of those that frequents the detailing section regularly but there is method behind our madness! When a car is clean and particularly if you wash it yourself, it's much easier to spot any damage. Things you may not notice if dirty such as a new stone chip or cracked headlight lens, whatever. If you look over the car regularly then you'll notice these things and can easily touch up a chip for example that may cause rust problems further down the line! And you'll have a nice gleaming motor as an added bonus 

- I know this is only applicable to some GTIs and is in the service schedule, but if you're a DSG owner, make sure it's serviced on time! This seems to be key to preventing DSG problems and I think it's a fixed price service at around £170-180 every 40,000 miles. Imo not a lot of money for the piece of mind, especially considering the repair bills that go along with DSG problems.

- There's been much said already about the timing chain problems on the 2.0TSI engine so if you dont know what this then have a look here: http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=262793.0 . As far as I'm aware there isn't a specified interval to change the timing chains/tensioner but even though mine is a 2011 car and it appears only to be 09-10 cars that are affected, I shall be carrying out preventative maintenance regarding this. At 80k I plan to have the tensioner, chains and all guides replaced as a precaution. Will also be changing the water pump at the same time as well, as there is documented issues with these failing and leaking. Not sure on the cost of this yet, but I don't fancy the cost of a replacement engine if the tensioner does fail.

- Applies to all cars but let it warm up and cool down. I always have my DIS set to display oil temp and then keep revs under 3000rpm until the oil has hit 70C. Likewise at the end of a drive I like to let the car idle for 30-40 secs just to let the oil and turbo cool. Turbo life is the key reason here.

I don't want to patronise or teach anyone to suck eggs but I assume you are already checking tyre pressure, oil level, bulbs etc regularly?

[na_s]

keeping a spare bottle of engine oil.

mines almost 64k, running smooth, but have had oil warnings in the past so just keep one handy all the time.

[na_s]

- There's been much said already about the timing chain problems on the 2.0TSI engine so if you dont know what this then have a look here: http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=262793.0 . As far as I'm aware there isn't a specified interval to change the timing chains/tensioner but even though mine is a 2011 car and it appears only to be 09-10 cars that are affected, I shall be carrying out preventative maintenance regarding this. At 80k I plan to have the tensioner, chains and all guides replaced as a precaution. Will also be changing the water pump at the same time as well, as there is documented issues with these failing and leaking. Not sure on the cost of this yet, but I don't fancy the cost of a replacement engine if the tensioner does fail.

I had mine replaced under warranty - my advice would be to get purchase as this fault is unpredictable.

[Pld118]

Thanks for the replies so far.  Timing chain and tensioner were recently replaced under warranty and ours is manual.

Good tip about the engine oil/ temp, the temp one would have passed me by tbh as never thought about that.

I have noticed when checking tyre pressures that the front tyres lose a lot of pressure over a few weeks (if left that long... the passenger side in particular/ 18" Monza Shadow alloys wearing main dealer fitted Kumho tyres which ,12 months in, have been decent tyres in wet and dry conditions).

Based on replies so far, it seems the rest is standard fare to keep on top of re this car?

Unless anyone has any further preventative maintenance tips?

Thanks.

[gaurav_aidasani]

+1 to the tips above.

I would add

check oil level every month and keep it topped up

If, like me at the moment, you're doing frequent short journeys that don't allow the engine oil to fully warm up (especially in cold winter), then I would take the car out for a proper 30min drive once a week to keep the battery fully charged.

[chris1h]

I think most of the tips have been mentioned above! Dont cain the engine unless its nice and warm and give it time to cool down... I see lots of friends jump in a car and jet off!! its like chill man!!!

I always have my on board computer ticking between MPG and Oil temp. Dont know how far its true but someone mentioned get your oil up to and above 100c every now and again. If any water has getting into there it wont boil off unless hits 100c. (again dont quote  me on that as i just read that from somebody else) Mine with a little cain tends to only get around 98c i have to really push to get beyond.

Keep oil level topped up as few busys weekends and it soon goes down!

Part from the tensioner and water pump the engine from what i have heard is fairly sound! Not many issues with regard to other areas of the car failing as a regular across the board.

[Pld118]

Another good maintenance tip is to use a mechanic you trust and not necessarily one with a fancy showroom next to the workshop.

Ours is due an annual 'major service' service which will be done at the main dealer to keep the service history looking good and because I'll probably extend the VW warranty soon (major service price is currently £329 and all main dealers seems to be charging the same amount).

However, I put the car into a trusted, non franchised, mechanic last week because he is meticulous, knows his stuff and I asked him to fine tooth the car and tell me what he could find wrong, including diagnostic checks.  Apart from a slight routine engine oil top up required, not a thing of any concern to report.  So 2 years/ 12,000 miles into MK6 ownership and touch wood, it pays to keep on top of things and makes the ownership experience more enjoyable.