VW contribution to pro-actively change cam chain tensioner
Discussion
Hi all,
My sister just bought a lovely 2009 scirocco on 70k miles. Just looking at common issues and it looks like the cam chain tensioner is an issue on the 2.0 TSI engine. We have checked and there is not any record of the tensioner being changed, even though it was main dealer serviced up to 2016.
Her last car was a Audi A4 1.8t with the same engine that expired with what sounds like a cam chain tensioner failure.
She will book in the car with a VW main dealer to change the water pump + cam chain tensioner. As it is a "known" issue, does anyone have experience of getting VW to contribute to the cost?
Ta.
My sister just bought a lovely 2009 scirocco on 70k miles. Just looking at common issues and it looks like the cam chain tensioner is an issue on the 2.0 TSI engine. We have checked and there is not any record of the tensioner being changed, even though it was main dealer serviced up to 2016.
Her last car was a Audi A4 1.8t with the same engine that expired with what sounds like a cam chain tensioner failure.
She will book in the car with a VW main dealer to change the water pump + cam chain tensioner. As it is a "known" issue, does anyone have experience of getting VW to contribute to the cost?
Ta.
Goodwill contributions are generally offered on newer, owned from new, fully retailed vehicles that have a considerable amount of dealer service history. If the vehicle did fit the bill, pro-active wouldn't be considered either as there is nothing broken to fix (yet).
On a 10 Y/O vehicle I would seriously consider getting it done by an independed - fair chance that the cost saving would outweight any contribution that you would get even if the vehicle fitted the bill.
On a 10 Y/O vehicle I would seriously consider getting it done by an independed - fair chance that the cost saving would outweight any contribution that you would get even if the vehicle fitted the bill.
The wife's 2011 Mk6 GTi's tensioner expired at 90 000 km / 6 yrs, literally one day after purchasing it. Fortunately between the selling dealer and an aftermarket warranty the considerable cost of the damage (bent valves, replace chain and tensioner, etc) was covered. It's a disgrace that VW, as far as I am aware, never admitted to any fault on their part, despite releasing multiple design iterations of the chain tensioner component itself, especially considering the extent of the typical associated damage and cost. I have seen some mention online of VW coming to the party in terms of contributing to repairs under certain circumstances in the US, no doubt under threat of litigation, but this info is all second-hand.
For clarity, I should add that I am based in South Africa, so the VW support offered may be different elsewhere, but with our car being out of warranty they were in no way interested in our troubles.
For clarity, I should add that I am based in South Africa, so the VW support offered may be different elsewhere, but with our car being out of warranty they were in no way interested in our troubles.
Edited by DaveZed on Thursday 30th May 15:44
On a 10yr old car? I highly doubt it
I had an A3 3.2 on which the cam chain tensioner failed a couple of years out of warranty.
I was quoted £1600+ to fix it by the Audi dealer but after much haggling they agreed to do it for £400 including the (due) service. This was for a car I bought new from them and had serviced exclusively by them and for a fairly common/known fault plus, IIRC it was only on around 50k miles.
I had an A3 3.2 on which the cam chain tensioner failed a couple of years out of warranty.
I was quoted £1600+ to fix it by the Audi dealer but after much haggling they agreed to do it for £400 including the (due) service. This was for a car I bought new from them and had serviced exclusively by them and for a fairly common/known fault plus, IIRC it was only on around 50k miles.
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