!!Timing Chain Tensioner!!

[Komar]

OK, we are talking about not leaving the car in the gear when it is on hill......makes sense...

what about when the car is not on the hill, but on the level ground? Is it also good to leave it in neutral and handbrake up?

although is on level ground there is still some tension on the chain I presume.....

[blower]

Basically never leave it in gear when parked - you just don't want to run the risk of any movement of the crankshaft when their is little tension being applied via the tensioner.

[dimexi]

Thanks for your answer to my earlier question blower.

I wonder how many instances of these failures are due to the spring becoming weak (as opposed to leaving car in gear). Those issues with the spring (how ever rare) would affect DSG engines as well

[blower]

Yeah - you get a warning with the spring being weak. Where it's just the spring that's worn out then you get the start up rattle for some time and hence can get it fixed before it fails completely.

I know of a 1.4 TSI where this has happened and they got it fixed. I don't know of any DSG variants of the 1.4 engines which have had the tensioner completely fail without warning and destroyed the engine. I know many manual 1.4's that have failed without warning due to being left in gear though.

As previousy mentioned the 2.0 TSI runs a different pattern..due to the ratchet mechanism failing they can fail completely without warning, or they can begin to rattle with some warning - but they shouldn't fail due to being left in gear, however I would still not leave them in gear as you don't want to be putting strain on that tensioner's ratchet mechanism regardless.

[Psycho Kirky]

Did your tensioner fully fail, or was it just in the process of going? Mine is currently going (can hear the chain a little loose on start up) but I'm doing minimal driving, it's going into the garage this weekend so hoping its just new chain and tensioner!

The tensioner failed yes, as you can see in one of the pictures the tiny piece of metal which is used as the ratchet mechanism for the tensioner broke, this caused all the work to be carried out you see so far.
More work has been done as one of the inlet valves in cylinder 4 is slightly bent possibly both. So we are taking the head off which is a ballache of a job on this car I can tell you!

If you hear what you think is the chain/tensioner rattling then get it changed ASAP. My chain was catching the lower timing cover also which needs to be replaced.

Hopefully your car makes it to the garage alright


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[dimexi]

I think you might possibly get a VCDS warning as well when the spring starts to weaken and cause the chain to slip. RW1 mentioned something about that back in the day

[Cuprabob]

The relationship between each cam sensor to the crank sensor is monitored and if you do get chain slip or chain stretch then an EML will be triggered. The values for each cam sensor can be read by reading the associated block using VCDS.

[aaimson]

I get a "scratching" noise between 2-3k rpm and think it's the chain on the casing. I'm taking it to an indie near me on Monday not sure on the price they'll charge, anyone give me a rough figure that they've have quoted/paid so I know if I'm getting a decent deal?

[blower]

The chain tends to only be loose during the moments of startup, where there is no oil pressure.
During the first moments of startup, many monitoring functions are disabled or detuned. It won't detect a loose chain during startup unless it stays loose, which is why you can have the chain rattle during startup but no EML or anything logged.

If the chain has stretched beyond tolerance this will be picked up during normal running and produce an EML. If the chain slips you will get an EML but hell you won't need it to tell you something is wrong, if it slips just 1 tooth it may not even start - if it does it will run like a bag of spanners. 2 teeth and its lunched engine.

[aaimson]

So I'm very lucky atm? and should probably get it changed..

[Komar]

I also did have the rattle sound when I start the engine (not every time) for the past 2-3 years....

Dealer did the inspection and the said everthing was fine and last update chain and tensioner was in.........


This year I changed my chain beacuse he strecthed, and probablly the tensioner was faulty too....

No more rattle at the start, the car was jerky sometimes when hitting the gas, but the interesting part was there was no fault codes or warning lights...

Im really glad I sorted it out, and my next engine wont be chain driven any more....

[aaimson]

Cars been into VW today, and they couldn't here the fault, said if it was the tensioner it would probably be constant not bits and bobs. What they suggested was a clip on the waste gate of the turbo, quite common apparently of this to happen to the engine and it gives it a metal rattle between 2-3k rpm (pretty much my issue).

It's described here perfectly! http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20401" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

"Rattling Noises from Engine Compartment Area or Exhaust System" on 2008-2012 CCTA and CBFA engines. "Test drive the vehicle to duplicate and familiarize yourself with the noise. Noise can typically be duplicated by driving up a moderate incline, beginning at 35 mph in 4th gear (manual or automatic transmission) and accelerating through the RPM range of 1800-3000 RPM under moderate to heavy throttle. Obey all local traffic laws. " The explanation for the noise is "Because of exhaust gas pulsations the wastegate flap and actuator rod vibrate at the introduction of boost pressure."

[sciroccosam1]

I have had a rattle on start up for quite a while but noticed it more over the last few days, my roc has done 34k, I've got the extended warranty and just checked it and it says regarding timing belts and tensioners (I assume same as timing chains) are covered providing the last due change took place as specified, should I take mine in to be looked at?

[Psycho Kirky]

SUCCESS!!!!! Finished! And it only took 6 weeks haha, mostly weekend work and a few days when off from normal work.

http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/57d4789b7bb ... WA0006.mp4

I may do some form of a basic write up of this, but if i'm honest.....

If this happens to you and unless you have good mechanical skills or friends with a great deal of tools on the market and some sort of vehicle lift or an inspection pit. SORN the car until you can afford the plethera of parts and labour costs.

If your car is still in VW warranty then you should be fine. But like me it will cost you near to £1k, granted i renewed a couple of things that werent needed. But in the state the engine was in it would be daft not to.

Good luck to all those who are this unfortunate I salute you!

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[Psycho Kirky]

SUCCESS!!!!! Finished! And it only took 6 weeks haha, mostly weekend work and a few days when off from normal work.

http://cloud.tapatalk.com/s/57d4789b7bb ... WA0006.mp4

I may do some form of a basic write up of this, but if i'm honest.....

If this happens to you and unless you have good mechanical skills or friends with a great deal of tools on the market and some sort of vehicle lift or an inspection pit. SORN the car until you can afford the plethera of parts and labour costs.

If your car is still in VW warranty then you should be fine. But like me it will cost you near to £1k, granted i renewed a couple of things that werent needed. But in the state the engine was in it would be daft not to.

Good luck to all those who are this unfortunate I salute you!

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If the video doesnt play, its basically the engine running at idle [emoji14] boring but after the work it felt like a miracle lol!

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[Roy_01]

Nice job! Another tsi owner that can sleep again

[Chrisc_91]

I've got a 1.4 tsi, after reading this I've had say 3-4 cold starts where I heard a slight rattle for 1-2 seconds and ignored it could this be my chain? I'm pretty doubtful it is but this post made me wonder slightly. Engine was rebuilt about 2-3 months ago due to the old misfire nightmare so I can't really be affording another few grand.

[Paradox1]

This is horrible...

Shame On VW.
Mines booked in this week as a precaution.

Does anybody have the part number for the the latest revision?

[blower]

I've got a 1.4 tsi, after reading this I've had say 3-4 cold starts where I heard a slight rattle for 1-2 seconds and ignored it could this be my chain? I'm pretty doubtful it is but this post made me wonder slightly. Engine was rebuilt about 2-3 months ago due to the old misfire nightmare so I can't really be affording another few grand.

Far more common on the 1.4 TSI is the camshaft adjuster sticking on startup (due to oil draining out of it overnight)....This happens on the earlier revisions, 2009/2010 cars.

Have a look here to identify if its the adjuster or chain thats causing the noise: http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... 25&t=20760" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Chrisc_91]

Thanks for that Blower! Mines exactly the same as the cam shaft noise in the video. Would you still advise the tensioner upgrade on my 60 plate 1.4tsi for peace of mind?