Hi from Newark, Nottinghamshire. My golf gti story.

[Gtcpaul1971]

Started it up yesterday when it was freezing. Terrible knocking / rattle from left side of engine near the belt.
Could it be the timing chain? Tensioner? Seems to quieten doen when warm, sounds like a diesel. My list keeps growing.......im sensing a money pit! Spoiling my enjoyment at the moment 😣

[Raj2212]

I have a similar issue. My Timing chain is noisy on idle and when the cars warmed. Sounds coming from the the right hand side of engine. Been told it's the timing chain ajuster or tensioner that's faulty. Quoted £900 to get it all done. Gutted 


Best get it done before the chains snaps and ruins the engine.

[Gtcpaul1971]

I have a similar issue. My Timing chain is noisy on idle and when the cars warmed. Sounds coming from the the right hand side of engine. Been told it's the timing chain ajuster or tensioner that's faulty. Quoted £900 to get it all done. Gutted 


Best get it done before the chains snaps and ruins the engine.

I would get it done. £900 sounds steep? Sent my mechanic a video. He thinks it might be the alternator pulley. He is looking at it when i get radiator fan, thermostat and turbo pipe done on fri. Going to leave it with him thurs night so he can hear it on fri morn from a cold start.

[Raj2212]

I have a similar issue. My Timing chain is noisy on idle and when the cars warmed. Sounds coming from the the right hand side of engine. Been told it's the timing chain ajuster or tensioner that's faulty. Quoted £900 to get it all done. Gutted 


Best get it done before the chains snaps and ruins the engine.

I would get it done. £900 sounds steep? Sent my mechanic a video. He thinks it might be the alternator pulley. He is looking at it when i get radiator fan, thermostat and turbo pipe done on fri. Going to leave it with him thurs night so he can hear it on fri morn from a cold start.

Good luck with your repair mate. Quick question though, I've been quoted £600 to fit a new timing chain kit by another mechanic.  Is that a decent price or can it be done for less.

Many Thanks
Raj

Thanks

[Gtcpaul1971]

Hi Raj,
Probably getting closer with the price. I am not an expert, I am sure someone else can help? Best advice would be get a few quotes from local - ish vag specialists and then look at online reviews to check their reputation. That's how I approached finding the garage I use and have been pleased. There was quite a big price difference between local specialists in Lincoln,  so it's worth shopping about. I would be happy to travel for a decent price and service also, so don't rule out someone who is a bit further away.
Some garages seem to pluck prices out of thin air. Any specialist who knows the mk5 inside out and can talk in-depth about it would be on my list
I am a nightmare customer mind. I like things to be perfect

[Raj2212]

Hi Raj,
Probably getting closer with the price. I am not an expert, I am sure someone else can help? Best advice would be get a few quotes from local - ish vag specialists and then look at online reviews to check their reputation. That's how I approached finding the garage I use and have been pleased. There was quite a big price difference between local specialists in Lincoln,  so it's worth shopping about. I would be happy to travel for a decent price and service also, so don't rule out someone who is a bit further away.
Some garages seem to pluck prices out of thin air. Any specialist who knows the mk5 inside out and can talk in-depth about it would be on my list
I am a nightmare customer mind. I like things to be perfect

Thanks Paul. Think I'm gonna take your advice and shop around. Atleast now I know what the issue is. There are a few vag specialists around me. Hopefully one can sort a decent price. 

[f00glee]

When I had my chain/tensioner done I sourced Genuine parts myself @ £200 (would likely be more now). Then garage then charged 5ish hours labour, so depending on labour rate/genuine parts, £600 sounds about right. Id personally be reluctant to go with anything other than genuine parts for this job (then again I like to use genuine parts everywhere).

Also, there is an additional component in the chain/tensioner area - the cam adjuster. This part alone is circa £300. I didn't have mine replaced, as many others haven't. But if something goes wrong with the job or if this part is deemed to be damaged, it could be an additional expense.

Parts required (the site I used to use to source parts from Germany direct no longer exists so equivalent prices at TPS may be a bit more):

06D109229B
CHAIN £79.50GBP
06F109217A
CHAIN TENSIONER £82.98GBP
06F103483D
VALVE COVER GASKET £12.98GBP
06D109281D
SCREW £1.67GBP
06D103121B
GASKET £4.54GBP
N10196303
BOLT £0.37GBP 3
N10124308
BOLT £0.26GBP 7
N90739901
CLIP £0.75GBP 2

[Gtcpaul1971]

Hi. I have just had a couple of quotes for timing chain and tensioner, using original parts. Both £350. VW midlands and my local specialist who I have been using.
That is not changing the adjuster which as said is another £450 on top! Ouch .... very expensive part. Apparently it is the whole housing unit. Vw Midlands said that just changing the belt and tensioner may not sure the diesel noise they would recommend the adjuster also as it is an upgraded part.
My car has done 113,000 miles and is not showing diesel sounds when warm so I will just get the chain and tensioner done as a matter of precaution

[Gtcpaul1971]

Was just reading my original post "spend £500 and hopefully last a couple of years" that's a joke lol. Already nearly spent a grand and still going. Easily will spend £1500 . Let's hope it is worth it ? 

[Raj2212]

Thanks for the info guys. Much appreciated. Just received a couple of quotes.
These are from 2 different vag specialists.

£330 to do the timing chain and tensioner
(£180 for parts and £150 for labour).

Or
£600 to do the whole lot including adjuster.
(£400 for parts and £200 labour).

I'm assuming they're non genuine parts used based on the prices.

In two minds. Probs gonna go for the cheaper option of getting chain and tensioner done and if the rattle is still there then maybe get the adjuster done in future.

[f00glee]

Just bear in mind that if the adjuster needs to be done at a later date you'll be looking at the same labour charge again as essentially the same work will need to be re-done.

Was just reading my original post "spend £500 and hopefully last a couple of years" that's a joke lol. Already nearly spent a grand and still going. Easily will spend £1500 . Let's hope it is worth it ? 

Sounds like you will have pretty much done all of the common points. My experience thereafter has been the car is in great condition wanting for very little else. There is still the odd ££ to be spent here and there but at this point its on more minor things like worn switches or unnecessary things which are just nice to have (sat nav, cruise, tuning  ). Ultimately you could carry on not having the chain/tensioner be touched at all and may well be fine - its boils down to the cost vs piece of mind argument which you have to have with yourself.  Head vs Wallet.

[Raj2212]

Think I'll be going down the route of getting just tensioner and chains replaced.
Not enough in the wallet to get it all done unfortunately.

Managed to get a quote with genuine parts from tps at £366 all in. Think I'll be going with these guys. Fingers crossed the stupid noise goes. Pretty annoying at traffic lights. 

@f00glee . Thanks for the part numbers mate.. Much appreciated 

[Gtcpaul1971]

Just bear in mind that if the adjuster needs to be done at a later date you'll be looking at the same labour charge again as essentially the same work will need to be re-done.

Was just reading my original post "spend £500 and hopefully last a couple of years" that's a joke lol. Already nearly spent a grand and still going. Easily will spend £1500 . Let's hope it is worth it ? 

Sounds like you will have pretty much done all of the common points. My experience thereafter has been the car is in great condition wanting for very little else. There is still the odd ££ to be spent here and there but at this point its on more minor things like worn switches or unnecessary things which are just nice to have (sat nav, cruise, tuning  ). Ultimately you could carry on not having the chain/tensioner be touched at all and may well be fine - its boils down to the cost vs piece of mind argument which you have to have with yourself.  Head vs Wallet.

Hi,
Yes I agree heart vs wallet. If I had my way I would have everything done yesterday lol. I can't wait for stuff im impatient. Defo going to have timing chain and tensioner done for peace of mind.

[Gtcpaul1971]

Ok update on the stuff done so far

Full service
Air filter
Pollen filter
Fuel filter
Brake fluid
Spark plugs
Anti roll bar drop link
Oil filter housing
Cam follower
PVC valve
DV valve
Turbo boost pipe
Radiator
Alternator wheel pulley
Full radiator fan set
Thermostat
Interior mirror housing
New interior door handles and switches
New interior main lights switch
Alloys refurbished
£1200 spent so far.
Still to do -
timing chain and tensioner
Cam belt and water pump
Decent tyres

I haven't seen my wages for 2 weeks!