Approved Used MK6 GTi Newbie - Timing Chain & Other Issues - Prevenative Work

[pld118]

Hi,

Not new to the forum but new to the golf part.

I'm in the process of buying a 2010MY, 3 Door manual GTi from a UK VW main dealer. The car has covered 48k miles and has a full service history.

I wondered please if there is any work that should have been done so far re timing chain or if there is any preventative work that might be done to lessen the chances of timing chain issues (I've read conflicting reports, some saying problems are less common up to 100k miles and others suggesting this is definitely an issue that could catch you out)?

The car will come with a 12 month VW warranty and is yet to undergo the pre sale inspection so just trying to know what I should be alert to with timing chain and/or any other important things to be alert to and maybe to document with/ ask garage to check before I complete)?

All replies much appreciated.

Thanks.

[james_tiger_woo]

Congrats and welcome

I thought these had timing belts, not chains - But check the interval and see whether it's due. Perhaps get them to do it if it needs doing soon.

Same for the service - when's it due and how soon?

Having driven it you should have a good feel for what's up with it, but if it's an approved VW from a VW dealer, I don't think you'll have any real issues if you do have any problems - unless the dealer is poor that is...

[AP_Automotive]

I believe the Issue was due to the weak tensioner. The timing chain tensioner has been modified now

[pld118]

After some research, this issue is well documented on other GTI forums, including a very good thread on www.golfgti.forum.co.uk (thread entitled " Timing Chain Tensioner failure List (timing issue)-Please Update with Your Info ").

Clarity on parts required and costs to change the tensioner/ associated parts before any catastrophic failure happens, is documented around page 14 of that thread. Unless people wait and see if theirs fails and hope their warranty will cover such failure - Das Welt VW Approved Used warranty staff have told me that the tensioner, timing chain and consequential damage are covered under warranty - the cost of taking preventative measures to replace the tensioner/ assoc parts seems to be in the region of 3 to 4 hours labour and including parts is touted around the £400 mark.

The main dealer service advisor at the garage that has serviced/maintained 'my' GTI says that in 6 years, only about 3 such failures have been seen at their garage.

[c4a5er]

assuming that's £400 to you it would cost them less so I would bargain for it to be included as part of the deal.....

[J400uk]

They do seem to be failing at regular interval on early mk6 GTIs (and other cars with the same engine). Apart from complete tensioner and chain replacement there isn't really any useful preventative work you can do. I would simply make sure the car has a full and complete service history as lack of oil changes has been blamed for causing chain failure and most importantly ensure the warranty will cover it if need be.