2005 Golf GTI - lack of power after chain replaced

[Matt Freeman]

Hi all,

I have a Mk5 Golf GTI which is fast becoming the most expensive car I’ve ever had to run and maintain.

I recently had the cam chain replaced, but since then the car has been absolutely gutless.

No lights on the dash, but the car doesn’t feel like it’s boosting at all. No misfires or anything.

I took it back and they found the timing was out, so they have corrected this and also replaced a split cam cover seal but the car is still no better.

Does anyone have any ideas before it goes on eBay as spares or repairs?

I’m gutted as I’ve spent 2k doing all of the common issues on this car, and it’s a great car to drive (when it works).

Any ideas would be most appreciated.

[p4cks]

Maybe it needs a replacement diverter valve? Mine had similar issues and it turned out to be this.

Could also be a duff PCV valve.

Both relatively cheap fixes (£30 and £20 respectively)

[Belle427]

The million dollar question is how did it run before the chain replacement?

[croissant]

I’m guessing you mean the chain that connects drive from exhaust to inlet cam as these have a cam belt.

Why was it changed in the first place? Sounds like it’s a tooth out and timing is way off

[Matt Freeman]

It ran really well before the chain was replaced. No lack of power at all and felt like a 200hp car.

The chain was only replaced as it was starting to rattle slightly once warmed up...i've done lots of preventative maintenance on the car and this was another thing I wanted to do to avoid having any issues further down the line although that has somewhat backfired!

[Smiljan]

If it was fine before and now it’s not, it’s up to the garage to rectify the issue.

We’d be guessing the issue here as there are so many reasons it could be lacking power.

You could invest in a cheap OBD2 Bluetooth dongle and get one of the apps that does live data (torque pro is one) and see if it is actually creating boost or not.

If the chain was fitted incorrectly the first time I wouldn’t have much confidence it’s right now,

[catso]

Smiljan said:

If the chain was fitted incorrectly the first time I wouldn’t have much confidence it’s right now,

Indeed, if a garage can't fit a timing chain properly then who knows what else they might have fooked up...

[Matt Freeman]

Agreed!

It's a different garage now who have timed it up properly using the correct tooling etc.

Apparently it was one tooth out.

[Smiljan]

Result, thanks for popping back here and letting us know.

I used to have an 08' Mk5 GTi and it was pretty much trouble free (DSG excluded) up to 80k when I sold it but I know they can get a bit troublesome when they age and the miles get a bit higher.

[Matt Freeman]

It's not sorted yet, they've rectified the timing but it's still gutless.

Shame as I love the car but yes they do seem a tad troublesome when they get older.

[Smiljan]

Ah, damn I thought you'd ace'd it. Let us know when you get sorted.

[Polome]

If the chain was one tooth out I'd be having a compression check done...if valve timming was out there's a potential of piston hitting valves. This could bend valve slightly preventing proper seal when valve should be fully closed. Don't know this engine in great detail but most engine nowadays have very little clearance even when timed correctly so needs to be exact...good luck with repair.

[croissant]

Sounds like something has been damaged when it was run a tooth out. Crank angle sensor perhaps? Have you tried an ecu reset since it's been correctly setup?

[Matt Freeman]

All sorted.

The timing was 2 teeth out and 1 of the 3 cam adjuster sealing rings were split.

Pulls great now.

Thank you all for your help.

[Kipfinn]

Hi, I have had the same problem, since chain been replaced, was the timing out on the cam chain or the belt, I am getting p0340 code, replaced the sensor and still getting this code, so I take it my cam chain is a tooth or 2 out? Thanks

[Ella Jean]

Kipfinn said:

Hi, I have had the same problem, since chain been replaced, was the timing out on the cam chain or the belt, I am getting p0340 code, replaced the sensor and still getting this code, so I take it my cam chain is a tooth or 2 out? Thanks

Hi,

It is very likely I’m afraid.

It’s also worth getting the vvt seals/rings replaced as 2 of mine were split.

[BlindedByTheLights]

This is a job I need to do on mine soon, not looking forward to it really.

[Kipfinn]

BlindedByTheLights said:

This is a job I need to do on mine soon, not looking forward to it really.

Thanks for your help it's booked in tomorrow now I can give the mechanic things to check first 👍 top man

[Kipfinn]

Cheers mate, I'm not mechanically minded lol, and this question will just show you how much lol, when you say it was out a tooth or 2 was it the belt or chain? The garage is checking my belt, but I was assuming your chain was 2 teeth out?

[BlindedByTheLights]

The garage need to run live data and look at the cam positions, this should show them what is out or if it may be another issue. It seems to be not uncommon for the timing to be a tooth out after being changed. This is due to the cam locking tool still allowing slight movement of the intake and exhaust cams during the change. The advice I have seen is to change the chain and tensioner and then manually turn the engine over twice and re check the timing marks on the cams again.