2010 VW Polo - Timing chain gone.
Discussion
A Volkswagen Customer Service UK manager got back to us, Offered us a 'free service' for our inconvenience.
Apparently 'parts go' on cars and that's why they are covered with a three year warranty, - Yes we expect parts to go, but not a lifetime engine part.
She helpfully pointed out that the 1.9k repair is covered with a 2 year warranty to keep our minds at ease...
I can safely say VW have lost out on a loyal family of customers!
Apparently 'parts go' on cars and that's why they are covered with a three year warranty, - Yes we expect parts to go, but not a lifetime engine part.
She helpfully pointed out that the 1.9k repair is covered with a 2 year warranty to keep our minds at ease...
I can safely say VW have lost out on a loyal family of customers!
liner33 said:
small claims court ?
For what it costs it's probably worth a punt, especially as the OP is the original owner. Action has to be taken against the supplying dealer, although when Vauxhall had issues with camshafts breaking, some owners issued proceedings against Vauxhall directly, and they settled out of court.I'd imagine if you issued action against VW themselves, they'd see you in court. There's always a chance with the dealer that they might not get around to defending so you'd win by default.
Sheepshanks said:
liner33 said:
small claims court ?
For what it costs it's probably worth a punt, especially as the OP is the original owner. Action has to be taken against the supplying dealer, although when Vauxhall had issues with camshafts breaking, some owners issued proceedings against Vauxhall directly, and they settled out of court.I'd imagine if you issued action against VW themselves, they'd see you in court. There's always a chance with the dealer that they might not get around to defending so you'd win by default.
The only way I could see this working is if an analysis on the broken engine was conducted, it would have to be independent and god knows how much it would cost.
The only way I could see you getting money back from VW here is with media leverage, but that will take effort and putting yourself in the firing line.
Not a nice situation really. Hopefully it hasn't hurt the OP too much financially....
Sheepshanks said:
For what it costs it's probably worth a punt, especially as the OP is the original owner. Action has to be taken against the supplying dealer, although when Vauxhall had issues with camshafts breaking, some owners issued proceedings against Vauxhall directly, and they settled out of court.
I'd imagine if you issued action against VW themselves, they'd see you in court. There's always a chance with the dealer that they might not get around to defending so you'd win by default.
I got advised against this when I wanted to claim under the Jag corrosion warranty for my disintegrated (due to corrosion) earth points under Jag's corrosion warranty (car under 6 years old). Apparently, you run the risk they can ask to have the claim bumped to a higher court where you risk paying costs - and they do that to scare you off.I'd imagine if you issued action against VW themselves, they'd see you in court. There's always a chance with the dealer that they might not get around to defending so you'd win by default.
Rick1.8t said:
Is there really any point in even considering this? An out of warranty ..
I think it's marginal due to the car's age, mileage and history, but bear in in mind the phrase that warranty "is in addition to your statutory rights".I think it's helpful that the OP is the original owner (so legal liability is clear) and that the part has been modified.
I really don't know how the car industry gets away with just saying "out of warranty" yet people are perfectly happy to get legal with electrical goods suppliers when their telly or washing machine packs up.
V8forweekends said:
I got advised against this when I wanted to claim under the Jag corrosion warranty for my disintegrated (due to corrosion) earth points under Jag's corrosion warranty (car under 6 years old). Apparently, you run the risk they can ask to have the claim bumped to a higher court where you risk paying costs - and they do that to scare you off.
You'd have to just walk away at that point. Might be worth checking if any insurance policy you have would assist, though.Sheepshanks said:
If you get a car with a belt then they're much more likely to break, and you've got a chunky expense in changing them every 4-5 yrs.
Just be a little more cautious with Polo engine and make sure you don't put load on it while it's not running, or, after starting, until it's running properly. Might even be worth avoiding parking on steep slopes.
Judging by the amount of horror stories about timing chain issues on many VW's as well as other prestige German brands I disagree about belts being more likely to break, as long as they are changed as per the manufacturers guidelines. That "chunky expense" is under £300 for a VW dealership to replace any belt on a car under 2 litre engine size and that is averaging 80000 miles or 5 years between changes so hardly a major expense.Just be a little more cautious with Polo engine and make sure you don't put load on it while it's not running, or, after starting, until it's running properly. Might even be worth avoiding parking on steep slopes.
Edited by Sheepshanks on Thursday 2nd April 12:10
If the chains are so fragile that you recommend not parking on a steep slope etc then there is something far wrong!
I worked for a major belt manufacturer and saw first hand the extremes the belts are tested to, the manufacturers guidelines are VERY conservative (apart from certain Alfa Romeo engines and the old Ford 1.8 diesels!).
The Japanese manufacturers do seem to have their timing chains well sorted though.
Rammy76 said:
That "chunky expense" is under £300 for a VW dealership to replace any belt on a car under 2 litre engine size
It's a bit more than that. The absolute minimum is £349 on a Polo. We have a Golf (but it has the old Polo 1.4 engine). The dealer still wants £419 and everyone says you're bonkers not to have the water pump done at the same time which takes it to £499.I think that's chunky for something that is a service item.
lxm said:
I have been contacted by a 2010 Polo owner on another forum, they have just put their car in for its 70k service and apparently the dealer said that the tensioner and chain needed replaced.... VW UK paid 95% of the bill.
It just winds us up even more.
I would guess that's because it's being serviced at the dealership.It just winds us up even more.
5 services from new at the original dealership. It was then sold privately to us, we had its last service at an independent VW garage purely because it was local and easy for a different family member to pick up opposed to our VW dealer being 15 miles away. I beleive that the independent may be 'an approved VW repair centre' (would need to double check) I have the invoices from the last service showing all parts and consumables were volkswagen stocked.
I fail to see how it is any different. As previously stated We have had our current and 4 previous main vehicles from our local dealer, a good amount of business, VW are about to loose a customer, they may not care - if we are a blip on the map but I would not recommended VW to anyone after this, and once our 2015 CC is out of warranty it will be binned and off to another car manufacturer.
if the polo was 15 years old with 150k on the clock, then I could totally appreciate the issue, but the car is 5 years old with 6 services on the book, at 10k miles or less, and the first lot of these polo 6R issues are starting to appear more and more over various forums, 50-70k miles seems to be the point where the chains go PING. I think when more of these engines reach that mileage, VW will be swamped with complaints.
I fail to see how it is any different. As previously stated We have had our current and 4 previous main vehicles from our local dealer, a good amount of business, VW are about to loose a customer, they may not care - if we are a blip on the map but I would not recommended VW to anyone after this, and once our 2015 CC is out of warranty it will be binned and off to another car manufacturer.
if the polo was 15 years old with 150k on the clock, then I could totally appreciate the issue, but the car is 5 years old with 6 services on the book, at 10k miles or less, and the first lot of these polo 6R issues are starting to appear more and more over various forums, 50-70k miles seems to be the point where the chains go PING. I think when more of these engines reach that mileage, VW will be swamped with complaints.
Edited by lxm on Saturday 9th May 17:30
Edited by lxm on Saturday 9th May 17:32
I've just been through your pain
My chain went on 2008 BMW E91 two months ago, I took it to a local garage and six weeksand £2.7k later it was fixed
It was in a car park, I was going over a speed bump, and it felt like it stalled but then here was no compression. The Rac guy said unfortunately he suspected a new engine. The garage, agreed. They did a good job but it took ages, they gave me a lovely P reg Mitsubishi CARisma which was a heap but I quite enjoyed having!
Good luck I hope it's cheaper than mine
My chain went on 2008 BMW E91 two months ago, I took it to a local garage and six weeksand £2.7k later it was fixed
It was in a car park, I was going over a speed bump, and it felt like it stalled but then here was no compression. The Rac guy said unfortunately he suspected a new engine. The garage, agreed. They did a good job but it took ages, they gave me a lovely P reg Mitsubishi CARisma which was a heap but I quite enjoyed having!
Good luck I hope it's cheaper than mine
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