Sudden Failure - Timing Chain + Tensioner replacement

[dimexi]

Once the timing has gone off once, does it flag up on VCDS?! Since things will be out of sync?

I am very wary and cautious of "common problems" nowadays, and this has done nothing to help me. Just had the ol' clutch moo/squeal/shout/moan sorted out on my car, the last thing I want to find out is my car needs a tensioner replacement. It's only just been in and 4hrs labour + parts will probably cost in the same region I have just paid to have my clutch replaced

[shshivji]

Once the timing has gone off once, does it flag up on VCDS?! Since things will be out of sync?

I am very wary and cautious of "common problems" nowadays, and this has done nothing to help me. Just had the ol' clutch moo/squeal/shout/moan sorted out on my car, the last thing I want to find out is my car needs a tensioner replacement. It's only just been in and 4hrs labour + parts will probably cost in the same region I have just paid to have my clutch replaced

Once the timing goes out its too late as valve and piston contact is inevitable, the first symptoms of a bad tensioner is a rattle for a 1-2 seconds on cold and semi cold start up.

Shak

[ciaranm]

I was speaking to a VW mechanic today and he told me once you hear the rattle on cold start up then you're already possibly looking at the guts of £1000 to replace the tensioner and the cam pulley if it has been damaged... so by this stage it is potentially already too late for a preventative measure.
Does this make sense?
I am still interested in the car I viewed on sunday and the seller has brought the price down again so its very tempting but from what I can gather, if I hear a rattle on cold start I'm looking at £1000 repair bill...

[dimexi]

Once the timing has gone off once, does it flag up on VCDS?! Since things will be out of sync?

I am very wary and cautious of "common problems" nowadays, and this has done nothing to help me. Just had the ol' clutch moo/squeal/shout/moan sorted out on my car, the last thing I want to find out is my car needs a tensioner replacement. It's only just been in and 4hrs labour + parts will probably cost in the same region I have just paid to have my clutch replaced

Once the timing goes out its too late as valve and piston contact is inevitable, the first symptoms of a bad tensioner is a rattle for a 1-2 seconds on cold and semi cold start up.

Shak

thanks for the info... I have no rattle, and I found out the codes to look for on VCDS - not of that. Will mention on my next service in 10k miles.

[liam-rocco]

[Sciroccohurst]

I was driving my 1.4 160 rocco on thursday and when it is idle at say traffic lights its starts to sound similar to a diesel, it happens randomly however i've only droce it twice since.. Its got 40,000 on the clock and is a 10 plate. From what i've been reading it could be similar to the timing chain problem i'm seeing a lot.. However i couldnt afford a 1 grand cost to vw to fix that.. Is this something i can take to any mechanic as long as they have the correct parts?

[dimexi]

Right, I need some advice!!

My Cam Belt change is in a month; so my question is: Is it convenient to change the timing chain tensioner during this exercise?!?! .i.e. is the tensioner on the way to the cambelt, and he/she can simply just change it at no additional labour cost..

I seem to know so little about timing chains and cambelts.... always thought timing belt and cam belt were the same. now I hear timing chain on this forum, and they say my cambelt needs changing at VW (hmmmm)

[selleym]

Right, I need some advice!!

My Cam Belt change is in a month; so my question is: Is it convenient to change the timing chain tensioner during this exercise?!?! .i.e. is the tensioner on the way to the cambelt, and he/she can simply just change it at no additional labour cost..

I seem to know so little about timing chains and cambelts.... always thought timing belt and cam belt were the same. now I hear timing chain on this forum, and they say my cambelt needs changing at VW (hmmmm)

The 2.0 TSI does not have a cam belt. The diesels and the R have cam belts from my knowledge. So if they are telling you that and you have a 2.0TSI then don't think they know much.
Correct me if im wrong.

[dimexi]

Hey selleym,
Thanks for your response!! I gave this more thought yesterday and I convinced myself that I was right in thinking the cambelt was actually a timing chain.
I called them to challenge this, and after "speaking to the manager" for a minute, they told me they were sorry and it was an administrative error

[andyy]

Yeah, the TSI engines they have a camchain and the TFSI and TDI engines have a cambelt.

Imo.. I wouldn't let VW touch my car for any work.. The prices are too high and most of them don't even do the work that they have stated anyway!
I would go to your local VAG specialist.. even if you have to travel it's worth it..

They will know the cars better, offer better prices and most of them take pride in their work as it's their reputation and business which will take a hit if they f*ck up.
Most main dealer mechanics don't really care in my personal exp.

My R32 has 'full VW service history' everything stamped and receipted. Yet the previous main VW dealer (not mentioning the one in question) didn't even put the OEM oil filter in.. It had a ECP special in it and on the invoice it stated 'genuine oil filter'.

Since i have owned it I have taken it to my local VAG specialist. He uses genuine parts, gives a fair diagnosis and is much cheaper and offers a much more comprehensive check than VW do for a lot less! Plus when it comes to selling having a reputable specialist service history means more to buyers than VW in the stamp book.

[dimexi]

I have considered this in the past, but the only thing that holds me back from that is the "out of warranty" faults that develop. I recently had the issue clutch howl issue, and being out of warranty the dealer didnt wanna know. But after several phone calls to VW HQ, I got a 50% goodwill gesture, and that was mainly due to the fact that I had kept my car serviced by the main dealers.

they are sooo expensive though, I took it for an MOT and break fluid change, and that cost me £108 in total!!!! Then they come with all these advisories I need to sort, and they are just too expensive! Brake disc for >£450 etc etc .

I am also considering getting the timing chain tensioner seen to before it gives up, and that costs a fortune.....but my neighbour works at a local garage and does VWs *sigh*

[selleym]

If your worried about the goodwill gestures.
Why don't you just get the service done at the VW garage?
Then get everything else done at a specialist?

[dimexi]

That is a good idea, I might do that... I am definitely not changing my brakes with VW - I am sure discs and pads are not that expensive.

[salsajoe]

Pads and discs are a relatively easy DIY. This video shows how. Not a VW but same fitting and process. Worth painting the callipers at the same time if not already done. " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[alexdaniel66]

Hi, I'm new to the Forum and I'm in need of your advice...

I have a 2008 VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI, I've owned it for a year and the other day I went to start the car and there was a metallic noise from the engine and it wouldn't startup.
Towed it to the garage and they said its the timing chain that has gone!!

I'm faced with a whacking great bill, to strip the engine down to investigate the problem.
Garage said it's a lot of man-hours to investigate so would be in the region of £1300 then +£ the unknown costs of the parts that need fixing if that is they even can.

another option is to get a new engine put in?

I bought the car for 5k and I've already spent 2k on fixing various problems since then so I'm at a bit of a loss as to what I should do...

A. Fix the engine?
B. Get a new engine put in?
C. Call it a day and just walk away, and get what I can as spares and repairs?
D. Other?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance
Alex

[selleym]

Get warranty then sit on it for a few months haha

[Jimjimjim]

This has just happened to mine... 67k miles ffs. Dealership says it needs a new engine now as the chain has jumped 90 degrees. I now have big decisions to make.