Timing chain and tensioner discussion and issues

[Tuan]

I'm not very hands on with my car, but i recently purchased a 2010 mk6 golf gti with 90k on the dial, so that falls into the range of the cars that seem to have the weak timing chain tensions. But I'm hoping it doesn't have any issues..

Seems to be a matter of time before they go ... 90k is quite substantial and that's a pretty good run for the car! Personally, with those high kms, I wouldn't be hoping that it doesn't go on you and would rather get it updated for the peace of mind. You never know, it's possible that the previous owner has changed it out too.

I'm with Umai Naa!! ........ fat chance that VW/Audi/Skoda will come to the party and reimburse or even admit there is something inherently wrong with the design of the offending part.

[Tobes_WIR35]

But that's America, where consumer law is different and you can sue someone for giving you a funny look.

Australian Consumer Law is actually very good, although most people don't know about it. When the timing chain tensioner went pop in my mk6 GTI (which was out of warranty) VWA were only going to cover about $3000 of the $11,000 repair bill. I called them up and all I had to do was mention section 260 of the Australian Consumer Law and they changed their mind and agreed to cover 100% of repair costs.

[quackie]

Australian Consumer Law is actually very good, although most people don't know about it. When the timing chain tensioner went pop in my mk6 GTI (which was out of warranty) VWA were only going to cover about $3000 of the $11,000 repair bill. I called them up and all I had to do was mention section 260 of the Australian Consumer Law and they changed their mind and agreed to cover 100% of repair costs.

What are the chances in getting VWA to come to the party by fixing the tensioner before this happens by quoting section 260 of the ACL?

[Quoc11]

Australian Consumer Law is actually very good, although most people don't know about it. When the timing chain tensioner went pop in my mk6 GTI (which was out of warranty) VWA were only going to cover about $3000 of the $11,000 repair bill. I called them up and all I had to do was mention section 260 of the Australian Consumer Law and they changed their mind and agreed to cover 100% of repair costs.

Wow Tobes! that's awesome news.

Yeah i agree with Quackie, prevention better than the cure....

[Tobes_WIR35]

Worth a shot right?

[donweather]

Too hardcore for me .. I can take a stereo out and door trims and dynamat the boot. That's the limit of my capabilities LOL ... I'll ask VW when they service my car (last service during warranty period) to check what I have.

VW/Skoda know the exact engine numbers at which point they changed over to the new/good tensioner. So all you need to do is provide VW/Skoda with your engine number and they can tell you straight away if you have the old or new tensioner. I'm lucky, I have a 2012 vRS and I'm one of the first in that year to have the new tensioner according to my mechanic/servicer.

[Tuan]

From experience, it depends who you get on the phone

[Lucas_R]

There is an inspection hole in the timing case which you can access by removing the drivers side front wheel, loosening the inner guard and then using a flat blade screwdriver to pop off the plug covering the inspection hole - from there you can use a torch and camera to take a photo of the timing chain tensioner and you will be able to see if its the old design or the revised one.

[night_flight]

has anyone done this in South Australia? if so please advise me where you have done this and roughly how much it was....
thanks

[AdamD]

has anyone done this in South Australia? if so please advise me where you have done this and roughly how much it was....

German Auto will do it for you for ~$1100 or so.

[night_flight]

German Auto will do it for you for ~$1100 or so.

Thanks AdamD tried calling Solitaire VW they had no clue what needed to be done...

[Lucas_R]

Thanks AdamD tried calling Solitaire VW they had no clue what needed to be done...

LOL good enough reason to avoid them in that case. Its a reasonably common issue on the Mk6 GTI im surprised they wouldn't have done at least half a dozen in the past few years.

[anotherdownunder]

CamChain Tensioner

There is an inspection hole in the timing case which you can access by removing the drivers side front wheel, loosening the inner guard and then using a flat blade screwdriver to pop off the plug covering the inspection hole - from there you can use a torch and camera to take a photo of the timing chain tensioner and you will be able to see if its the old design or the revised one.

Found in Skoda WS manual. Don't know version though?

[JAYDEE]

Wish I had of checked this thread earlier. My 01/2010 GTI has just experienced a massive engine failure due to a tensioner failure.
The dealer has indicated that it will cost me about $4000-5000 to fix and have said that VWA will pay $1000 seeing that I have made no modifications and the car has been serviced as recommended in the service book at the dealer.
From what I am reading, I think I will be talking to VWA about them paying for the total cost considering this was a known issue and they failed to notify me.

[JAYDEE]

Just got my GTI back from the dealership service department. It has set me back over $5200.
It is interesting that when I mentioned that the timing chain tensioner failure is a known problem with TSI engines, the service manager denied any knowledge of this despite me referring to the many many post and articles you see when you google "vw timing chain tensioner".
I am now in the process of writing a letter to VGA to see what they have to say.