Morning. New to the forums after purchasing an 09 Facelift vRS.

The test drive was great. It's an 09 petrol in blue with the DSG box. Awesome car. But there was a few issues.. Mostly cosmetic., but it's not a new car after all.. And will all be addressed by the garage (independent) who are refurbing the wheels and swapping them to anthracite.

The biggest issue was after the test drive. After around 20 mins I pulled into the roadside to fiddle with the electrics, heating, A/C etc to make sure all was working (which it was). Then as soon as I set off it was kangaroo ing between 1st and second., obviously a clutch issue.

As soon as I talked with the sales guy he agreed straight away that it was more than likely a new clutch required..and apparently they had changed a few in golfs and Audis...And to me, very quick to agree to changing it.. So I would believe they were aware of it anyway.

So my only niggle, is this purely a clutch issue or is there any other likely underlying issues ?

Thanks, and look forward to your replies and advice.

Oh it's the 2.0 Tfsi engine too..

Most likely clutch or DMF, both should be changed as part of the change so should be good.

 

They most likely held off fixing it, knowing fully well it was faulty before selling the car, as they wanted to be sure they had sold the car first. Nothing like fixing a car, then discovering you cannot sell it and end up punting it for a loss back through auction.

Ah right. He knew straight away and agreed to change it.. I didn't particularly get much off the screen price..But it was cheap to start with anyway. Plus with a service and a wheel refurb on all 4 wheels with a colour change, and any touch ups on the bodywork, I am happy with what I have got anyway.. Plus unusually there was 3/4 of a tank in there. So it will at least get me the couple of hours drive home when I pick it up !

Oh it's the 2.0 Tfsi engine too..

no this car has the tsi engine

ask about, the chain tensioner, if it had been change. it's a common issues on tsi engine and more common on 09 plate with dsg. quite expensive to remedy if it where to brake whiles owning the car as it would mean a new engine. factor in around £800-1k the cost to replce the tatensioner on this would be my priority.

mine is a manual vrs 09 plate, grear car to drive very quick.

Yeah I have seen the issues with the chain tensioner etc..

And I also get you tend to find a lot more horror stories on forums.. I have been a member on all forums of all the cars I have owned and there will always be a higher percentage of issues.. It's the nature of using help forums..

I believe it has been done. But not 100% sure..

I guess it's something to be aware of..

One of the reasons I have ultimately gone back to a petrol car, is of all the horror stories of dpf, egr issues etc on low use journeys.. Which mine typically are..

I guess I'm jumping from one horror story.. to a different kind..

As daft as this sounds.. And by my next statement you will understand my lack of technical knowledge..

What's the difference between the chain tensioner and Cambelt ?

Cambelt is on the Left side of the engine and typically needs changing every 4 years or 80K miles or whatever the recommended interval is. Cam chain links both camshafts together internally within the cylinder head, it has a tensioner in order that the car can alter the timing slightly, kind of like VVT. The tensioner can over time wear, causing weird issues with timing and the sensors.

 

IIRC tfsi engine has a cambelt and cam chain, the tsi engine does not have a cambelt as its all chain drive but still has the cam chain linking both camshafts.

 

The PD TDI engine for example uses a cambelt but it drives both camshafts, so there is no internal chain linking the camshafts.

I remember seeing paperwork with having a chain and rails replaced and seals..I'm pretty sure of that..

Is this the aforementioned issue then or am I still looking at more potential issues ?

That sounds like its had the chain,tensioner & guides replaced. 

In that case, it would still need a Cambelt change on its current mileage ;-)

No as you have chain so there will be no belt as being a facelifted model it will most likely have the Tsi engine

Edited 25 October, 201510 yr by wiilydog

I'm uber confused.. I am by no means technical.. I can just about top up the oil and put petrol in..

So, please correct me if I'm wrong..

If I have the Tsi engine it is chain driven and there is no Cambelt ?

If that's the case and where my confusion lies, the garage has told me the Cambelt was changed in April..

If that's the case.. I take it they mean the chain and associated bits were changed.. I pretty much remember an invoice showing the chain and guide rails and o ring or seals as well in the paperwork pack up. Does that mean then I should be good to go ??

Edited 25 October, 201510 yr by Dwabo

Basically if its fl vrs tsi then yes you have a chain so correct no cambelt, also the chain is known as a non servicable item so highly likely its not been changed, perhaps just the tensioner to the newer updated model. The only people who who change chain etc are generally people in the know about the tensioner issue, joe bloggs in street poss wont know of issue but will however know about a cambelt

Mine is a 2008 vrs fitted with the TFSI engine that has a cambelt & a timing chain,yours is the TSI engine which has no cambelt just timing chains,the garage may have said cambelt but if you have seen a bill for chain etc then it could well have had it all replaced which is good for you,only way to know for sure is check all the paperwork when you collect the car.

What mileage is it? At 40k its due a dsg oil change.

Thanks for all the help.. its at 65k. The dealer said it had been done but I will check once I get it this week..

Hopefully without the juddereing / kangarooing from 1st to second too ;-)

Just an update,

The deal has fallen through !!

Basically the Clutch issue..was not the clutch..and they think it is the Gearbox..but, not sure which part needs fixing as no fault codes are showing??..apparently 8 parts to the DSG box??..but no way of knowing what is at fault as nothing obvious and a new box is £2700 which they wont sort....

so I have been offered to take it as is..but they will provide an AA Platinum warranty..incase it does fail....or my money back...

I'll be taking my money back thanks, and looking elsewhere!!

Twas too good to be true...and a 200 mile wasted round trip and a week waiting for it to be sorted!!

I prefer a manual box tbh. If iirc the dsg is quite complicated hence more to go wrong. A petrol Octavia with manual gearbox will be a very nice car.

I prefer a manual box tbh. If iirc the dsg is quite complicated hence more to go wrong. A petrol Octavia with manual gearbox will be a very nice car.

That's for sure - cars with automatic transmissions usually go wrong more often. If you buy an old one then manual is your choice (older petrol as well ).

But I understand the ones that prefer automatic transmission. I've driven one and it's handy (especially in urban areas) but somehow I prefer manual. At least it gives a feeling that I control at least something.

I ideally wanted auto due to an injury with my back which is still plaguing me.. So for ease of driving I wanted Auto..

However, a hefty repair bill isn't what I could afford if it was to go wrong. So I would consider now a manual. I would love a FL petrol, but no more than 8k with less miles the better... So if anyone knows of one let me know..

My sister had an Audi A4 diesel s line a few years ago with a semi auto box. Very nice drive and for those days when you just want to get home with the least amount of effort absolutely great. But i still prefer to change gears myself. It's a major part of driving for me. Have a look in the cars for sale section weekly too.

I ideally wanted auto due to an injury with my back which is still plaguing me.. So for ease of driving I wanted Auto..

However, a hefty repair bill isn't what I could afford if it was to go wrong. So I would consider now a manual.

 

Well, if you have a serious reason to buy a car with automatic transmission then do it! Simply avoid one with that might be bad, like this one.