Won't Start - ESP Error & Steering light on

[Tobes_WIR35]

Yeah I only had the oil done at each 15,000km service, but was usually about 9 months not 12 months due to me averaging about 25,000km per year. And I always got it serviced at more like 12,000-14,000km. My engine does use a bit of oil (as normal I guess) so I generally topped up 1-2 litres in between services. But that doesn't help if there's a sludge problem I guess.

[Tobes_WIR35]

VW called me back today, so turns out they are replacing the engine after all...

[Brendan_A]

That's a good outcome.

[AdamD]

VW called me back today, so turns out they are replacing the engine after all...

Did they find bottom end damage? TBH with damaged pistons I was surprised they didn't decide to give you a crate engine from the outset.

[Tobes_WIR35]

Apparently they couldn't find any obvious bottom end damage but they couldn't guarantee it so they decided on a full base engine replacement. I'm glad they did, I was a little unsure about a rebuild. On the bright side a new engine at 85k is not bad!

[Tobes_WIR35]

So after 4 weeks without my precious, I get to collect it tomorrow. Whole new engine, completely covered by VWA on good will (a repair bill of $10,600) even though I am 6 months out of warranty. They say it was because of brand loyalty (my wife has a VW too) and the perfect service history at Austral VW.

Kudos to Mal and the team at Austral VW who were very supportive and helpful through this rather stressful time. Couldn't ask for better service from them, and have had good service from them consistently over the last 3 and 1/2 years.

If you have an older mk6 I would strongly advise you to get your timing chain system thoroughly checked out at your next service by specialist VW mechanic or dealer service. If you have rough and rattly cold starts, get it checked out. Replace the timing chain tensioner with the updated one if required.

As a cruel coincidence, last week a work colleague of mine had his 2012 BMW 528i serviced. Drove it home, the engine light came on as he got near home. Came out in the morning to find his garage floor covered in oil. Had it towed back to BMW. He is getting a completely new engine for free too!

[minke]

If you have an older mk6 I would strongly advise you to get your timing chain system thoroughly checked out at your next service by specialist VW mechanic or dealer service. If you have rough or splittery cold starts, get it checked out. Replace the timing chain tensioner with the updated one if required.

At what build date would you suggest the cut off is? Mine is late 2012.

[Tobes_WIR35]

I am of the understanding that the problematic version has a round goldy coloured metal cover plate with a small plug on it on the end of the timing chain cover. The newer ones have a black plastic cover. Mine is a november 2010 build (2011 plate). Apparently the tensioner was changed on build dates after 9/2012 so you should be right, but may just be worth checking. If you have the older tensioner and it's still under warranty they'll do the replacement under TPI maintenance program if you complain of some rough/rattly cold starts. If it's not under warranty you might still get it done for free, or worst case I think it's about a $900-$1000 fix for an updated one.

Official Timing Chain Tensioner failure thread - VW GTI MKVI Forum / VW Golf R Forum / VW Golf MKVI Forum / VW GTI Forum - Golfmk6.com

[Tobes_WIR35]

By the way, picked the car up today. Drives like a dream again. I definitely think it idles a lot quieter than it used to (used to have a bit of a noticable ticking sound almost like a diesel). Feels like maybe more powerful, but probably just because I got used to driving a slow car for 4 weeks.... Had a big smile all the way home from the dealership! Glad to have her back!