Busted Tensioner - Evidence Required Please

[Stubear]

They say ignorance is bliss but not in my case. Unfortunately I came to the party too late to know there is a problem with VW timing chain tensioners....

Mine failed on my 2010 2.0 TSi back in November and I've been at loggerheads with VW ever since.

The car has been maintained at the dealership in Guildford since I bought it (in Southampton) in 2013 but at no time did they mention it could be an issue or I'd have had it replaced. The timing mechanism has a service interval of 120,000 yet mine has gone at 45,000 - absolutely shocking.

Now I'm looking at a 7K bill for a new engine and I'm not sure it's even worth it

I've approached citizens advice and the motor ombudsman and I may have a case under the sale of goods act but only if I can show that the dealership I bought it from were aware of the problem before January 2013.

I've seen evidence of other makes and models across the VAG group and I even have a copy of the TSB that was issued in the US (I believe) in 2012. It even looks like there's an admission of guilt in this German article (use google translate):
http://www.autobild.de/artikel/vw-tsi-m ... 93757.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm hoping to round up some evidence of other similar failures in the UK at least - same spec engine would be ideal - so would appreciate any info anyone has, particularly if they know of it happening out of Peter Cooper VW in Southampton.

Your help would be very much appreciated.

[Zanic L3]

Damn that really heavy. My condolences.

I'm looking to get my inlet manifold replaced next week... As I also have (2009) 2.0 TSI I'm getting worried, did you notice anything before that happened?

I'm going to ask VW to also check mine and replace if needed, anyone has what I should ask for (checking the timing chain tensioners and replacing it all?) and anyone got an idea how much it costs?

Sorry to hijack your thread, Goodluck mate

[Psycho Kirky]

The tensioner is a known fault yet VW refuse to acknowledge it as a major problem or a recall worthy issue. And if the car is out of warranty they will try their hardest to not honour anything.

This happened to me in August 2016, so I had to diagnose and fix it with a friend over a period of weekends and some weekdays for around 6 weeks until it was finished. Sort of expensive but not nearly as expensive as it could of been if a garage had done the work.

It caused 4 bent inlet valves but could have been alot worse yet it was repairable luckily.

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[Stubear]

Hi Zanic,

The only thing I noticed before it went was a mis-fire when driving under load, but that happened only once, about a month before it went. Evidence elsewhere suggests it can go without warning.
If I had known about hte issue beforehand I'd have definitely got the tensioner changed. Get them to check the amount of stretch in the chains too - make sure it's within spec...
The Golf guys have a lengthy thread running:
http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47128" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck,

S.

[xjay1337]

You can buy a replacement engine from Ebay for around £1500 and then around £750 labour tops to swap it all over.

[Dan_4d]

I've just heard back from the garage today about the same issue. My 2009 2.0GT (TSi) also needs a new engine quoted at 7k. Its only achieved a mileage of 80k, I'm gutted! I can't see any other option than doing as xjay1337 suggests in my case.

[racetech]

I've just heard back from the garage today about the same issue. My 2009 2.0GT (TSi) also needs a new engine quoted at 7k. Its only achieved a mileage of 80k, I'm gutted! I can't see any other option than doing as xjay1337 suggests in my case.

not unless you know a decent engine builder,,,i lunched an engine on my old scirocco,,(balance shaft bearing housing failure),,took me around 12 hours to change the engine on my own

[Stubear]

After much running around and some ill-founded advice from CAB, I've decided to go down the route of having the engine re-built by an AA approved garage for around £2K.

To anyone in the same boat - don't waste time and money chasing VW if your warranty is up - they won't budge and you're unlikely to get anywhere under SOGA as the onus is on you to prove negligence on their part....

[Sindre]

The tensioner from from 09 to about summer 12 is prone to failure on all 2.0tsi. Take a look at Briskskoda many 2.0ts tensioner failures. You can get a updated one and every one with the first type tensioner should change to the updated on.

[Psycho Kirky]

The original tensioner is a ticking time bomb! VW will never accept liability outside of warranty, bastards.

I hope you manage to come up with a good quality yet inexpensive solution!

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