How many chain tensioner failures on here?

[neelom]

So, is it mileage related?
I have a 2010 2.0 tsi DSG which has only done 17,000 miles.
There's no rattle (or anything wrong with it for that matter), but you guys have got me a bit worried....

[skippy]

I would not worry about it, these failures are still mercifully rare. There does not seem to be any direct correlation between mileage and failures, but the few I have read about, are high mileage. As ever you could get a failure with a lower mileage example, but I repeat again, this is very rare, so not worth losing sleep over.

[shshivji]

I would not worry about it, these failures are still mercifully rare. There does not seem to be any direct correlation between mileage and failures, but the few I have read about, are high mileage. As ever you could get a failure with a lower mileage example, but I repeat again, this is very rare, so not worth losing sleep over.

With all due respect skippy this is really bad advice and it's not rare at all, it's becoming more of a regular issue, we only see a small percentage of failures on this forum as only a small amount of people are on here. It's not mileage dependent, as its happend to cars under 20k. From what I've seen and experienced the tensioner can collapse at any mileage on cars built from 2008-2012. It's happened to mine at 50k, I highly recommend having it done for precaution, as the cost is minute compared to when the tensioner does decide do fail and do major engine damage.

Shak

[Phil]

I would not worry about it, these failures are still mercifully rare. There does not seem to be any direct correlation between mileage and failures, but the few I have read about, are high mileage. As ever you could get a failure with a lower mileage example, but I repeat again, this is very rare, so not worth losing sleep over.

With all due respect skippy this is really bad advice and it's not rare at all, it's becoming more of a regular issue, we only see a small percentage of failures on this forum as only a small amount of people are on here. It's not mileage dependent, as its happend to cars under 20k. From what I've seen and experienced the tensioner can collapse at any mileage on cars built from 2008-2012. It's happened to mine at 50k, I highly recommend having it done for precaution, as the cost is minute compared to when the tensioner does decide do fail and do major engine damage.

Shak

As it can happen to cars under 20k does this not suggest its completely random no matter what the situation? It's highly unlikely that everyone is going to run out and replace their chains as this would suggest it could just happen again

Also, i hope something doesn't go wrong on mine after commenting on this

[shshivji]

I would not worry about it, these failures are still mercifully rare. There does not seem to be any direct correlation between mileage and failures, but the few I have read about, are high mileage. As ever you could get a failure with a lower mileage example, but I repeat again, this is very rare, so not worth losing sleep over.

With all due respect skippy this is really bad advice and it's not rare at all, it's becoming more of a regular issue, we only see a small percentage of failures on this forum as only a small amount of people are on here. It's not mileage dependent, as its happend to cars under 20k. From what I've seen and experienced the tensioner can collapse at any mileage on cars built from 2008-2012. It's happened to mine at 50k, I highly recommend having it done for precaution, as the cost is minute compared to when the tensioner does decide do fail and do major engine damage.

Shak

As it can happen to cars under 20k does this not suggest its completely random no matter what the situation? It's highly unlikely that everyone is going to run out and replace their chains as this would suggest it could just happen again

Also, i hope something doesn't go wrong on mine after commenting on this

It's not the chain, it's the chain tensioner that needs to be replaced, they are on the 3 or 4th revision of the tensioner, that last revision was made in february 2012, this seems to be fine and no reported problems.

Shak

[skippy]

I would not worry about it, these failures are still mercifully rare. There does not seem to be any direct correlation between mileage and failures, but the few I have read about, are high mileage. As ever you could get a failure with a lower mileage example, but I repeat again, this is very rare, so not worth losing sleep over.

With all due respect skippy this is really bad advice and it's not rare at all, it's becoming more of a regular issue, we only see a small percentage of failures on this forum as only a small amount of people are on here. It's not mileage dependent, as its happend to cars under 20k. From what I've seen and experienced the tensioner can collapse at any mileage on cars built from 2008-2012. It's happened to mine at 50k, I highly recommend having it done for precaution, as the cost is minute compared to when the tensioner does decide do fail and do major engine damage.

Shak

Hi Shak, no fair comment, you are closer to the action on this issue than most of us, so completely respect your point on this. In that case, that is concerning if it is not rare. Of course, it is no good mentioning to the dealer as they will just deny any issue.

This problem is pretty well covered on the Golf GTI forum, and they do have a running chart of failures, it has not been updated for a while but doing some calculations the mean mileage is 43K for failure, with the highest being 61K and the lowest 22K.

Quite a few it seems are offered goodwill payments from VW should you be unfortunate enough to experience having one of these go, but of course there are strings attached with that, like full VW service history and so on. My particular car is 2009 and only on 22K.

[selleym]

Easier to just extend the VW warranty every year? I'm assuming that will cover it if it goes bang?

[shshivji]

Easier to just extend the VW warranty every year? I'm assuming that will cover it if it goes bang?

You're looking around £300 to have the tensioner replaced, how much is it to extend the warranty??

Shak

[selleym]

Not sure yet! Somewhere around that price I think.

Have a Seat Ibiza 1.2TSI as the other car and I think its having this issue due in the garage soon.
Have been listening out for it on the rocco but as soon as i heard the Ibiza I was like Ahh that could be! (Under warranty still )

Yes i think if i wasn't considering extending the warranty i would defo get this done.
I'm assuming its a lot of work for them to even check it?

[neelom]

So I guess the best approach might be to remain vigilant for the start-up rattle and act fast if it happens?

[deanesales]

Hi all

I have a 58 plate (early 09) 2.0tsi with 42k that i noticed this evening had a rattle on startup from cold, i am concerned that this is the tensioner issue, the car is covered under warranty with Warranty Direct so having read through the list of whats covered it seems that this may be covered.

i am going to call them tommorrow to check but is this something that will just happen, my gf drives the car to work so should i just stop her driving it?

thanks

[VWClaty]

Mine has gone! car is in today being repaired, VW quoted 1,280 pound to fix, but in fairness to them are covering all of the cost out of good will due to it being a common fault, so the scirocco is getting a major service while it's in as they kind of insisted on it. But as they're paying over a grand to fix my car which is at 50,000 miles and now 5 years old, i couldn't complain!

[dexterche]

I was getting rattle on cold start and car once fail to start (note: chain and tensioner are changed 6-7K before because of slipping). I went to the official service and told the story, they decide first to change the oil and see what will happen (last oil change was before 7K). After doing oil change and all filters rattle disappeared.

Probably after XXXX miles oil is loosing its abilities and chain becoming dry if you left the car over night (cold start). If you are bit more aggressive driver will be good to change oil more frequently (each 5-6K) because TSI engines are very sensitive on it.

I'm having 55K miles on clock