Timing chain and tensioner discussion and issues

[dylan1988]

Initially, I had intended on having the car towed to VW Village in Kensington and have the guys there carry out the work. I'd heard/read good things about them online, and just about every Volkswagen I see driving around here in the east has a VW Village sticker on the back!

A friend of mine got me in touch with a guy that used to work for Volkswagen in Liverpool, he now runs his own private car dealership. He recommended that I use Car Master in Kogarah, as he usually has his cars serviced there before they go up for sale. He also said that VW Village will charge me a fortune!

I'm regretting it now as I know nothing about this mechanic, simply sent the car there on a whim! As mentioned previously, it feels as though he's making the situation a lot worse than what it actually is. My lack of knowledge about cars isn't helping either...

I know that the mechanic has carried out engine swaps, not sure if he has rebuilt any though. I will ask him when I see him tomorrow. I find it strange that I had to push for a rebuild, not once did he mention it. Perhaps it's a time thing, or could be lack of knowledge... Who knows?

[brad]

Very few workshops rebuild engines these days (IMO). It's a lost art.

Have you contacted VW to see if they'll cover some of the cost? The timing chain is a known issue (that they won't admit to).

If anyone needs a good workshop near the Sydney CBD, Metro Service Centre at Marrickville are pretty good. They do a lot of BMW stuff and don't blink an eye at engine rebuilds, etc.

[dylan1988]

UPDATE: I've decided to no longer go through a rebuild out of fear that it will cost more than an engine swap. Not to mention the mechanics questionable ability to successfully carry out a rebuild. Time is also an issue as the car has been dormant for over 2 weeks now, I couldn't see them rebuilding it before December. I purchased a 2012 Golf GTI MK6 engine (52,000Km's) from a wreckers in Gladesville for $4000 delivered to Car Master. This engine will have the revised chain and guide (no need to replace it until the 150K mark) my engine had travelled more than double, at close to 135,000Km's...

The guys at the wreckers also threw into the sale (at my request) the new style DSG shifter, leather boot and faceplate/bezel free of charge. The shifter in my car is all worn, and the paint has peeled off the buttons. The faceplate was loaded with scratches also.. I'll fit it myself, it should be directly compatible from what I've read (could be wrong)

The mechanic will charge $1000 to install the new engine, all in all $5000 to get it back on the road. Hopefully it ends there, but I guess time will tell. The new engine will be delivered tomorrow morning, and the mechanic said that I "should" expect the car to be ready sometime next week. I'll keep you guys posted.

[XFJET]

pro tip
if the chain goes do not spend any money on any diagnosis or pull the head off and have a look, it's wasted money but mechanics will obviously steer you to have a look because hourly rate

good luck with the new engine but i would pull the rubber plug off the cover and verify you got the right tensioner before going further

[dylan1988]

i would pull the rubber plug off the cover and verify you got the right tensioner before going further

I am visiting the mechanic tomorrow in the hopes of confirming that the new engine does in fact have the revised timing chain tensioner. Can you confirm if this is what the newly revised timing chain tensioner should look like?

HS Tuning - TSI Timing Chain Tensioner Update Kit - 06K109467K

Is the part number for the new tensioner 06K109467K?

[dylan1988]

i would pull the rubber plug off the cover and verify you got the right tensioner before going further

I called the mechanic yesterday and asked if he could confirm that the new engine has the revised timing chain tensioner. He informed me that if you remove the inspection cover plug, it will develop a an oil leak over time. This has been confirmed in the following YouTube video in the comments section under the user "Lynx Star Automotive":

Is this true? It's not like he is too lazy to check as the engine isn't in the car yet, how hard is it to use a small flat-blade screwdriver to pry off the rubber plug! Are there any other ways to verify? This is seriously stressing me out! I don't want to fork out another $5k down the line...

[Transporter]

Just fit the new plug and there should be no leak.

[sports02]

Hey guys,

Just wanted some quick advice. Im looking to upgrade my timing chain tensioner before anything goes wrong. My question is it important to replace the guides and chains aswell (MK6 GTI 2.0L) or is just the tensioner enough to resolve any future issues.

Thanks

[Reedy]

Depends how many K’s you have and whether you are planning on keeping the car for long?


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[sports02]

Hey Reedy,

Yep ! Will keeping it for at-least 2-3 years . Its at about 85,000 km so relatively low for its age and has been well serviced and maintained by the previous owner. Already caught the mod bug and bought some bolt-ons along with Stage 1 so would like it to be as reliable as it can be. I have heard the timing chain itself can get stretched in some cases so thats why I was considering the extra $300 I have been quoted to get both the guides and chains along with tensioner done. Just for reference i got quoted $850 for just tensioner and $1150 for the lot (VW Village) and was wondering if this is roughly the price to get it done.

Thanks for your help

[Reedy]

Timing chain and tensioner discussion and issues

Do it all for that price, it cost me $2000 for the lot. Chains are good for at least 200000klms unless they get noisy.


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[clio]

Timing chains don't stretch as such, they wear. The wear at the pivots can eventually elongate the chain which gives the impression that it has been 'stretched'. There's a good explanation here:
AGCO Automotive Repair Service - Baton Rouge, LA - Detailed Auto Topics - Timing Chain Problems I
Sports02 if your car has 85K on the odo with a good maintenance record I wouldn't be too concerned about replacing the chain with that many km. Sure it wouldn't hurt, however keep in mind the sprockets wear too, so if you replace the chain do you go to replace all of the components of the timing mechanism... Where do you stop

[sports02]

Thanks for your help guys. Might skip on the chain but just concerned about the plastic guides. Are they a maintenance item or should they also be good till at least 150k-200k? Would prefer to put the $300 into downpipe fund if the chains and guide are not an essential replacement

[Reedy]

Guides and chains are good.


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[Reedy]

2.0t TSI Owners *** IMPORTANT INFO*** We... - Deutsche Auto Parts


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