Timing chain issue - $1600 replacement?

[H3rBz]

Hi guys, long time lurker - first time poster.

I recently took my 2010 Polo 66 tsi into service with 55k mileage. I've had a rattle at cold start for at least a year, maybe two. The noise disappears completely when the engine is warm/hot. My mechanic has advised the last two services that the rattle at start up is likely the timing chain and cold cause huge issues down the line. Last service he suggested having VW have a look at it, provide a quote and then we could go from there. He did explain it wasn't fair for him to charge labour to do it himself when VW who know these cars inside and out can do it in half the time. This time he insisted I do it ASAP as it could cause huge engine issues!

I have taken the car to VW dealership in Perth for diagnosis, they couldn't hear the rattle as the engine was warm. They kept the car overnight and determined the next morning that the timing chain required replacementThey have given me a $1600 quote! 800 for the timing chain and 800 for labour to replace.

What are you thoughts and how should I proceed?

$1,600 seems excessive for a car that's worth $10-12K.

[Tuan]

It'll be worth $0 if you don't change it and it goes on you unfortunately. Get a few quotes and go from there.

[JustCruisn]

Go back to the other mechanic and ask for a quote.

[Umai Naa!!]

I'd say other mechanic probably doesn't want to investing in the special tools, and hunt down the correct procedures. Understandable, I guess.

[pontiff]

Hi guys, long time lurker - first time poster.

I recently took my 2010 Polo 66 tsi into service with 55k mileage. I've had a rattle at cold start for at least a year, maybe two. The noise disappears completely when the engine is warm/hot. My mechanic has advised the last two services that the rattle at start up is likely the timing chain and cold cause huge issues down the line. Last service he suggested having VW have a look at it, provide a quote and then we could go from there. He did explain it wasn't fair for him to charge labour to do it himself when VW who know these cars inside and out can do it in half the time. This time he insisted I do it ASAP as it could cause huge engine issues!

I have taken the car to VW dealership in Perth for diagnosis, they couldn't hear the rattle as the engine was warm. They kept the car overnight and determined the next morning that the timing chain required replacementThey have given me a $1600 quote! 800 for the timing chain and 800 for labour to replace.

What are you thoughts and how should I proceed?

$1,600 seems excessive for a car that's worth $10-12K.

Check the history, this is an extremely well known issue, VW have been doing them under warranty. I've had it done at $0 charge to myself twice now, its now back again, so hopefully will be done for a 3rd time. If you have a good VW service history, ring customer care and push for them to repair it gratis.

[H3rBz]

I've sent information to VW via their online form on https://au.volkswagen.com.au/contact-us/. I'll also try calling their call center tomorrow. Anyone know any other avenues to go through?

Pontiff who did you contact to have the work done under warranty? Your local dealer/service center? Someone at Volkswagen Australia etc? Consumer protection?

Thanks,

[pontiff]

I've sent information to VW via their online form on https://au.volkswagen.com.au/contact-us/. I'll also try calling their call center tomorrow. Anyone know any other avenues to go through?

Pontiff who did you contact to have the work done under warranty? Your local dealer/service center? Someone at Volkswagen Australia etc? Consumer protection?

Thanks,

Started at dealer... they then went to Vw Australia.. don't take anything less than 0% out of pocket, you are one of many many people, they know the issue, so if you hear 'your the only one we have ever had with this' they're telling porkies (main dealer that is)

[LunchboxVRS]

I had a similar issue with my 6R gti (2012) they have a known issue and tpi on the timing chain adjuster piston. I reported it several times. Left it over night. Every time they "couldn't replicate the sound" after the 7-8 they did say yes we hear it but we have heard worse and wouldn't replace it as yet. When it got real worse I said enoughs, enough. So the conduct further checks and said it needed replacement straight away and I shouldn drive it. For 3 years it made the noise but now it's out of factory warranty you say it's to bad to drive? Luckily I had extended warranty through my lease so they fixed it through that as I had a apr tune (we all know it had squat to do with the issue)
When they pulled it down it was that pad the casing had been marked. The chain and all the cam gears had to be changed. The cover and guides as well. It had done 45k

[Mitchh]

$1,600 seems excessive for a car that's worth $10-12K.

Labour and parts are expensive. The fact that your car has depreciated to 10-12k has absolutely no bearing on how much servicing costs...

By the same token i can go buy a old BMW m3 for $15,000 and complain that the brakes cost $6000....

[trive2]

My local Volkswagen shop paid 50% and charged me $606.30, meaning an approx $1,200 total cost, which I thought was quite reasonable given the amount of work involved.

Note my car was as 2010 model with 108,000km on the clock at the time with a full service history outside of VW. Admittedly I had a friendly ear inside the service department but I have seen many others here have luck.

[maxrob200]

True! Car is old but parts are new....so new prices are paid. I thought that timing chains should have a useful life of 150,000 km given no unforeseen stretching or tensioner problems

[Tuan]

True! Car is old but parts are new....so new prices are paid. I thought that timing chains should have a useful life of 150,000 km given no unforeseen stretching or tensioner problems

I own two cars with timing chains. There is no service interval for these items in the manual but the caveat is that your car is serviced within the manufacturers guidelines. Does this mean they never need to be changed ? It's not a serviceable item like a timing belt, but the truth is it is still a wear and tear item i.e. chain stretch and in the case of the EA888 motor there is the well documented chain tensioner failure that causes $$$ of damage.

VW covering some cars completely under goodwill, some at 50% and while lots of owners are out of pocket makes it a grey area as to who is responsible for the failure. It would make sense that they'd be more willing to compensate those with full VW service history.

Not unusual to see posts on here (but more so on briskoda - I hear of a failure every other week) regarding failures on the 2.0T EA888 motor as early model tensioners were 5hithouse and VW kept updating the tensioner to better built units on newer built cars.

I was unaware this was an issue for the Polo and a relatively low km one at that - but the process is the same. Hope you get this sorted out by VW!

[H3rBz]

Car is going in tomorrow. VW has told me they will be testing/diagnosing to see how much the chain has stretched and what the exact issue with the timing chain is, the information will be sent to VW Aus. VW Aus will then determine if reimbursement can be given for the repairs. I'll keep you guys in the loop.

[H3rBz]

Good news! I got the car back from VW. They agreed to cover most of the repairs meaning I only had to pay $250 instead of $1600! Considering labour and parts was approx. $800 each I'm very happy with that. The parts come with a 2 year/unlimited KM warranty, so that's a relief in the meantime if anything else with the timing chain goes wrong. Great result overall.

[CraigR]

Hats off to VW, really! I was in a similar position with clutch pack failure a couple of months ago, and they footed the majority of the bill. They could easily turn you round and push you out of the door. I did hear a rattle on my wife's car when I started it up the other day, that better not be on its way out now.