TSI Chain Tensioner worry.

[matty8v]

I've only just recently heard about the chain tensioner issues on EA888 TSI engines. I have a '58 plate Scirocco 2.0L TSI with 56,000 miles on the clock and I'm now worried about this.

Is it something which is likely/unlikely to go wrong? I'm wondering whether or not it would be wise to change the car. I would rather keep the car as I do like it though.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[matty8v]

Thanks for the replies!

Really not sure what to do, I may seek advice from VW but by the sounds of it they have stitched some people up.

Some very good points raised, especially about Skoda, Seat and Golf GTi 6 engines being the same. Surely it can't be that common a problem or there would be outrage.

I suppose most cars have a weak spot somewhere and I could potentially go and change the rocco out for something different just to have the arse fall out of that instead.


Decisions!

[matty8v]

va1o said:

It seems to be affecting the Mk6 Golf GTI and SEAT Leon FR with the same engine quite badly but I haven't heard of any Scirocco catastrophic failures yet. Which engine code is yours? One option could be to take out an extended warranty then you're covered if anything goes wrong. Also make sure the engine oil is changed at least every 10k miles minimum

Edited by va1o on Thursday 25th September 13:52

I believe it to be the EA888 engine (200PS)

[matty8v]

rongagin said:

I don't know the details, but my son has a mk6 gti on a 59 plate. he reckons he could hear a 'rattle' on start up so did a bit of research and found that there have been 2 or 3 different chain tensioners by VW in this engine. So he bought the latest tensioner and had that fitted.
Price was about £60 (I think?) for tensioner, but lots of other bits needed and labour at a specialist gave an overall bill of £250 ish. But the 'rattle' has gone and he is feeling happy, new engines aren't cheap.....
Hope that helps

Thanks that helps a lot, good to know that 'pre-emptive' action is affordable. £250 sounds very reasonable for peace of mind. I'm going to look into this!

Cheers

Matt

[matty8v]

Just spoke to my local VW dealership's service department, they said they have never come across this problem and the amount of people it happens to must be very small! Unfortunately their master technician was out on a road test so they are going to speak to him later and phone me back on Monday with some advice.

[matty8v]

va1o said:

matty8v said:

Just spoke to my local VW dealership's service department, they said they have never come across this problem and the amount of people it happens to must be very small! Unfortunately their master technician was out on a road test so they are going to speak to him later and phone me back on Monday with some advice.

To be honest you won't get much from speaking to VW main dealers. They only really have knowledge about basic servicing in my experience and regularly deny common problems exist. For something like this forums or a good independant specialist will be able to provide better info.

Good point, I'm also going to call Volkscraft in Exeter see what they say!

[matty8v]

I called Volkscraft in Exeter and they have quoted me £780 to replace the whole lot which includes the cam chain, guides, tensioner and some other chain (guide chain I think but I can't remember).

I am very tempted to get the work done for peace of mind. Got no reason to suspect that something is wrong with my car right now but I will sleep easier knowing that bombshell isn't going to land on me in the future. The plan is to keep the Rocco for as long as poss so I don't mind spending some money on it to ensure it remains reliable.

Does £780 for the job sound reasonable?

Cheers

Matt