Been doing some digging on this, lots of stuff on vw vortex and Seatcupra.net re failure of the tensioner after issues with reduced oil pressure after pickup blockage. this vid may help you see what is involved, I know it is a 98 passat but you will get the general idea -

 

If you still intend going to Badger5 on Tuesday, have a chat and see what they suggest. I did this when I rebuilt my son's Cupra R engine, and to be honest it is not hard, just quite fiddly, but provided you take your time and maintain your self control, it can be done.

 

Just a thought here, as the ecu controls the oil pressure orifice by the solenoid on the tensioner, are you sure you are getting a signal to the unit to fully open?. It could be a dodgy connection to the solenoid, got to be worth ruling out at very least.

Hi phil

 

Thanks for all the help i've now fixed the problem. heres a breif run down of the soloution

 

What i was saying about the inlet timing being out half a tooth was incorrect. basicly turning the engine over by hand doesnt give enough oil pressure needed to tighten the tensioner, what was happening was where the tensioner goes slack it allows the inlet camshaft to move slightly without the exhaust cam moving. 

 

 I also noticed that the camshaft sensor had been replaced for what looked like a cheap ebay sensor... once i removed the sensor it smelt like electrical burning which is never a good sign. I replaced it for a genuine cam sensor and that seemed to sort the problem out.

 

I've cleared all the codes and done nearly 100 miles and they've not returned as of yet. the car runs sweet as a nut now no more dodgy low idle when warm.

 

Cheers for all the help

 

Carl

 

 

Glad you got it sorted, I've learnt over the years with my VAG, that any sensor that is hard to get to or is critical to the running of the engine, it is best to buy an OEM part. Ebay stuff is fine for pipes and the like, but electrical stuff, buy cheap, definitely buy twice.

 

Got it mapped yet?, I bet you breathed a sigh of relief when it was over

 

Good luck

 

Phil.

Yeah I'm glad it's all sorted bud. Yeah I had it mapped that didn't go great either to be fair lmao