Scirocco Central

hi all, Im just after some clarification on wether there is a check vw can do to check the integrity of the chain tensioner and was wandering if so do they do it free of charge as they know its quite a common problem on the tsi. Mine has just done 60,000 miles and id just like to have a check done if possible for peace of mind more than anything. I have searched the forum but nothing answers my exact question! any help would be appreciated, thanks john

It's not something that can be checked via Diagnostics machine as such, but there is a TPI with some wear limit's for the components etc I believe, so they could work from that and check these parts. It wouldn't be free however, and guess it would be done on time taken.

They would then probably supply you with a quote if it needed work doing. Its quite a job though!

I believe a 2.0tsi engine of this vintage (ie.200PS/197BHP) has belt driven cams rather than chain. The 210PS/207BHP has a chain.

This question comes up a lot, all of the engines have a chain, unlike the Golf which had a belt fitted, this was talked about recently. http://www.sciroccocentral.co.uk/forum/ ... in#p131763" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There have been some issues particularly on MK6 Golf's regarding chain tensioner, but thankfully - not an issue on the Scirocco.

PGN wrote:I believe a 2.0tsi engine of this vintage (ie.200PS/197BHP) has belt driven cams rather than chain. The 210PS/207BHP has a chain.

That's not correct. The Scirocco used the chain driven EA888 from the start. Although the power output is the same as the MK5 GTI belt driven EA113, it's a different engine.

Tbe only Scirocco to use the belt driven EA113 was the R

Yes - thats what I understood Bob. I know there is constant confusion on this belt v chain issue. Mind you - some of the early car magazines incorrectly specified that the Scirocco used the Golf derived 197PS engine, but technically they are different despite identical power outputs.

Firstly thanks for your replies i appreciate your time!

Aaron- I have heard that having a problem with the chain or chain tensioner could throw up a cam sensor warning on the diagnostics. I have only read about this though as my car came up with a cam sensor warning when i had a knackered coil pack, Apparently the cylinder shuts down automaticaly causing this warning or thats what i was lead to believe!

Skippy- If the golf mk 6 comes with the same engine as the scirocco then would it just not be a coincidence as to it not being a problem with sciroccos yet? Or are there any differences between the 2 engines?

Im asking as I want to keep my car for at least another 2 years where it will probably be approaching the 100k mark on milage. If this is something that needs to be looked at then I will do so but the general consensus seems to be that it should be fine? Obviously at the end of the day its my decision and no one can give me a definite answer but i was just after some advice! The car has an oil change every 5000 miles and is serviced yearly but I doubt that has any sway on wetehr the chain/chain tensioner will go bust or not!

cheers, john

Yes you would get a warning light under failure, once the chain stretches and it reads wrong, or once the tensioner fails and it's all out of time. But it's usually to late by then!

If the golf mk 6 comes with the same engine as the scirocco then would it just not be a coincidence as to it not being a problem with sciroccos yet? Or are there any differences between the 2 engines?

Hi John,

They are different engines but identical output, as mentioned by Cuprabob, the Golf engine is code named EA113, where as the Scirocco one is EA888.

I would not expect them to be massively different, and although I have read about tensioner issues on the Golf, it has not been a problem on the Scirocco.

As ever though with a forum, you will only hear the negatives, but in reality it is likely to only be in a minority of cases. I would not be worried about the tensioner on your car. It will see 100K no bother as long as it is looked after and maintained.

That's not true, it's the MK5 Golf that I was referring to that uses the EA113 engine. The MK6 and MK7 Golf use the chain driven EA888 engine.

The tensioner problem on the MK6 Golf is very rare but there is no reason why tbe Scirocco can't suffer from it too.

Thanks for clearing up the belt or chain issue Bob / Skippy. The early magazine articles definitely stated it was the MK5 Golf engine, so that's what I based my comment on. One interesting point though - at the last service the dealer told me that the cam belt would need to be changed next time!!!

PGN wrote:Thanks for clearing up the belt or chain issue Bob / Skippy. The early magazine articles definitely stated it was the MK5 Golf engine, so that's what I based my comment on. One interesting point though - at the last service the dealer told me that the cam belt would need to be changed next time!!!

Dealers don't aleays know what they.are talking about.

My dealer said the same when I had my R32 and with my Dad's 1.2 Polo, both chain driven. Sadly many service staff just make assumptions without checking stuff out.