Worth replacing chain tensioner in a 59 vRS 2.0 tsi as precaution?

[mikey vrs]

Another ones failed,we have a newbie with a 59 plate thats introducing himself with this problem.

[liquid ideas]

It might only be a supposed handful in a sea of tsi engines but this failure does seem to be appearing quite often..

[liquid ideas]

I've approached a local VAG specialist about the tensioner problems and pricing up a replacement. He spoke with his VAG contacts in the area and again they haven't had any problems in the north east. He did get part numbers and prices, the tensioner is on its 3rd or 4th revison now and is covered by a 2yr warranty. He's priced the job up all in for around £200 which is not too bad I think. Got my car booked in for next week. Despite having the warranty till next year I plan on keeping the car longer than that and just for my own peace of mind I think I would rather get it done.

[neil_f]

I've approached a local VAG specialist about the tensioner problems and pricing up a replacement. He spoke with his VAG contacts in the area and again they haven't had any problems in the north east. He did get part numbers and prices, the tensioner is on its 3rd or 4th revison now and is covered by a 2yr warranty. He's priced the job up all in for around £200 which is not too bad I think. Got my car booked in for next week. Despite having the warranty till next year I plan on keeping the car longer than that and just for my own peace of mind I think I would rather get it done.

That sounds quite cheap? My mate at audi reckons there a bit of a pain to change?

[Gti Jazz Blue]

Seems to be a lot of denial of this being an issue - whilst I appreciate that failure is rare given the numbers out there - there is a design flaw with this part - and if you are the unlucky person and circumstance dictates that yours fails outside warranty - you are looking at a huge bill.

[rob_e]

I've approached a local VAG specialist about the tensioner problems and pricing up a replacement. He spoke with his VAG contacts in the area and again they haven't had any problems in the north east. He did get part numbers and prices, the tensioner is on its 3rd or 4th revison now and is covered by a 2yr warranty. He's priced the job up all in for around £200 which is not too bad I think. Got my car booked in for next week. Despite having the warranty till next year I plan on keeping the car longer than that and just for my own peace of mind I think I would rather get it done.

£200 for peace of mind is well worth it I think..

Would be a good idea if you could post up the part numbers and actual cost once it's done on your car.

[liquid ideas]

The Audi layout requires subframe removal etc to get at the parts whereas the Octavia is far simpler.

Edited 20 February, 2013 by liquid ideas

[JB-)]

I've approached a local VAG specialist about the tensioner problems and pricing up a replacement. He spoke with his VAG contacts in the area and again they haven't had any problems in the north east. He did get part numbers and prices, the tensioner is on its 3rd or 4th revison now and is covered by a 2yr warranty. He's priced the job up all in for around £200 which is not too bad I think. Got my car booked in for next week. Despite having the warranty till next year I plan on keeping the car longer than that and just for my own peace of mind I think I would rather get it done.

What parts does that include? There will be over £100 in parts so either his labour is cheap or they aren't replacing everything, i.e. one use only bolts, timing cover

[DGW]

Is it all of these parts (assuming that they are the same for your car) which have been quoted for?

[MrMatt]

What mileage has it done?

It had covered 39000. With full regular services.

[liquid ideas]

Tensioner, cover, bolts, any sealant etc.as shown in the HS kit. Its not a lot of components and with about 2-3hrs fitting the price works out. All OEM components hence the 2yr warranty.

[Gti Jazz Blue]

I wonder if the 2 year warranty would then cover the cost of a replacement engine if the tensioner fails - or just a replacement tensioner ?

Is there a copy of the Skoda 2 year warranty terms available online ?

[mikey vrs]

I wonder if the 2 year warranty would then cover the cost of a replacement engine if the tensioner fails - or just a replacement tensioner ?

Is there a copy of the Skoda 2 year warranty terms available online ?

Id expect the work to replace the tensioner etc to cover a replacement engine/repair if the tensioner or workmanship has led to the failure,i had my timing belt,tensioners etc & water pump replaced by skoda as it comes with a 2year warranty for parts & labour so if any of it fails within 2 years & causes engine damage i expect them to repair it all f.o.c.

[Richym76]

What parts does that include? There will be over £100 in parts so either his labour is cheap or they aren't replacing everything, i.e. one use only bolts, timing cover

The timing cover bolts are 15p each

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[DGW]

Tensioner, cover, bolts, any sealant etc.as shown in the HS kit. Its not a lot of components and with about 2-3hrs fitting the price works out. All OEM components hence the 2yr warranty.

Whilst the parts will be covered against defects for 2 years in accordance with the warranty below, I doubt very much if Skoda UK will pay for any consequential damages if those parts fail and their fitting has not been carried out by one of their dealers.

Replacement Parts Warranty

All Skoda original replacement parts carry a warranty for a period of two-years/unlimited mileage from the date of purchase. Items with warranties in excess of two years will be advised to you at the time of purchase. The two-year warranty does not apply to parts fitted under the terms of the vehicle warranty, which are warranted for the remaining period of the vehicle warranty.

P.S. If I can find a Skoda dealer who will do the job for less than £300, I will get my car done just before the 3 year warranty expires in December. The mileage is likely to still be under 20,000 then.

[JB-)]

The timing cover bolts are 15p each

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And aren't one use only. It's the engine mounting bolts etc that cost.

[Gazman]

Whilst the parts will be covered against defects for 2 years in accordance with the warranty below, I doubt very much if Skoda UK will pay for any consequential damages if those parts fail and their fitting has not been carried out by one of their dealers.

Replacement Parts Warranty

All Skoda original replacement parts carry a warranty for a period of two-years/unlimited mileage from the date of purchase. Items with warranties in excess of two years will be advised to you at the time of purchase. The two-year warranty does not apply to parts fitted under the terms of the vehicle warranty, which are warranted for the remaining period of the vehicle warranty.

P.S. If I can find a Skoda dealer who will do the job for less than £300, I will get my car done just before the 3 year warranty expires in December. The mileage is likely to still be under 20,000 then.

Will more likely get mine changed if the job comes to less than £300 all in..

[vrspete]

Surely u should be looking at a new Timing chain also due to stretching

Then u may aswel do the balance chain at same time

Also other people have had guide issues

Where do u stop....

[JB-)]

After a bit of searching for instances of tensioner failure, all I've come up with is this. I'm now even more convinced of its rarity, and it's just extremely bad luck if it happens to you. It also shows that replacing the tensioner doesn't mean it won't fail, since although most seem to be 2009 cars, there have been cases on late models too.

[DGW]

Have you checked international car forums as well for reports of timing chain problems? Post #9 the first thread below make interesting reading.

http://www.mytiguan.com/index.php?/topic/3134-timing-chain/

http://vagdrivers.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=81236

[JB-)]

I saw that too. I wonder where this figure of 61 came from. Those failures don't really concern me. The noises made on here have been about Octavia vRS failures, and that's all I'm really worried about. I've looked for Golf GTi failures as they're very similar. The Tiguan may have the same basic engine but it's a very different vehicle.

One thing that is interesting though, is that many failures seem to be on cars with auto gearboxes. The theory seems to be that leaving it in park, without using the handbrake, allows the car to rock back. The reverse direction of the engine puts strain on the tensioner, breaking it. I don't know whether that's what's happening but it sounds kind of plausible. I wasn't able to determine what 'boxes all the Octavia and Golfs had.

Edited 23 February, 2013 by JB-)

[PC1212]

26/02 Called my local dealer, Simpsons of Colne, in Lancashire, spoke to Ross who priced up the job...

Apparently he says there are 2 tensioners???? and 2 chains??? a whole host of other bits too

a full day of a job and comes to £750!!!

Changing the tensioner on its own seems to the small part

anyway not sure what to do...ringing other Skoda dealers for second opinion

[DGW]

Pages 16 and 18 in the link show the front end of the 2.0TSI engine.

http://files.engineering.com/download.aspx?folder=4188e34f-2b48-49fa-9c9d-e2ed7ac676a3&file=VW.COM_2.0L_TSI_Turbo_SSP_824803.pdf

[mikey vrs]

Pages 16 and 18 in the link show the front end of the 2.0TSI engine.

http://files.enginee..._SSP_824803.pdf

Have you got a link like this for the TFSI engine?

[JB-)]

26/02 Called my local dealer, Simpsons of Colne, in Lancashire, spoke to Ross who priced up the job...

Apparently he says there are 2 tensioners???? and 2 chains??? a whole host of other bits too

a full day of a job and comes to £750!!!

Changing the tensioner on its own seems to the small part

anyway not sure what to do...ringing other Skoda dealers for second opinion

If you really want it done you can get away with just changing the timing chain tensioner, at 40 quid or so for the part and 3 or 4 hours. Other items are recommended but not that essential unless they get damaged doing the job e.g. getting the cover off. There are some one time use bolts involved but I doubt many people ever renew one use bolts. Engine mount bolts have been known to break though so it's a choice.