CAR magazine Feb 2012 - Buying a MK5 GTi

[Mk5 GTian]

generally the cam follower is a problem in the US where they use poorer quality fuel. that's why it's not so heard of here. that's not to say mine isn't being replaced next month when it gets serviced. they have been known to fail here too, but it's being replaced more as a precaution than genuine worry. be interested to see it's condition tho and it will be changed every service once i've gone Stage 2+

 Thanks for that, I can find no evidence of this being changed previously, so as I'm over 80k, I think it's a good idea to get it  changed, if only for peace of mind. I'll ask my garage to keep the old one and get some pics up. It would certainly be useful to see how it's worn on a car which has been serviced yearly.

I'll post a link to my tread, where you'll see a cam follower that at the time of change had done 160.000km, surface should be all black due to the DLC 

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,7823.msg121569.html#msg121569

Thanks for that, Have you seen whatthe faceof the cam follower looks like if it's worn thhrough? Is it missing completely?

You mean the cam right?  
It's in fine shape as it's the revision B dual metal cam, not the Revision A  mono metal cam.
Besides i have a Cupra engine in my GTI now wup wup  

I mean this!:

http://uspmotorsports.com/product_info.php?products_id=542

[danishmkvgti]

generally the cam follower is a problem in the US where they use poorer quality fuel. that's why it's not so heard of here. that's not to say mine isn't being replaced next month when it gets serviced. they have been known to fail here too, but it's being replaced more as a precaution than genuine worry. be interested to see it's condition tho and it will be changed every service once i've gone Stage 2+

 Thanks for that, I can find no evidence of this being changed previously, so as I'm over 80k, I think it's a good idea to get it  changed, if only for peace of mind. I'll ask my garage to keep the old one and get some pics up. It would certainly be useful to see how it's worn on a car which has been serviced yearly.

I'll post a link to my tread, where you'll see a cam follower that at the time of change had done 160.000km, surface should be all black due to the DLC 

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,7823.msg121569.html#msg121569

Thanks for that, Have you seen whatthe faceof the cam follower looks like if it's worn thhrough? Is it missing completely?

You mean the cam right?  
It's in fine shape as it's the revision B dual metal cam, not the Revision A  mono metal cam.
Besides i have a Cupra engine in my GTI now wup wup  

I mean this!:

http://uspmotorsports.com/product_info.php?products_id=542

And in my link earlier if you scroll down to the appropriate picture you'll have answered your question   

I'll post the image here for your eyes only







 

[Mk5 GTian]

So is that a good one, a worn one, does it need replacing if it looks like this?

[Saintsteve]

I've just read the used hot hatch article in February's CAR. They have consulted Jabbasport and VAGTECH to comment on buying a used MK5 GTI. I'm sure there is nothing here that you guys don't already know about, but I thought it would be worth posting for those who are about to buy, or have recently bought a MK5 GTI. there are at least 2 additional things I have learnt that I'm getting checked at my cars major service on thursday. Main points are as follows:

1) The OEM turbo dump valve has a rubber diaphragm which can split, and lead to a loss of that turbocharger surge of power delivery at 2000rpm. Jabbasport replace this with a plastic piston from the S3, but if you are sticking with OEM, get it checked at service. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THIS DIAPHRAGM CAN BE REPLACED ON ITS OWN?

2) More serious is the fuel pump follower, which is prone to early wear and tear, especially if the car has been on long-life servicing. GET THIS  CHECKED IF YOUR VEHICLE IS 40,000 MILES PLUS, AS FAILURE CAN RESULT  IN SERIOUS TOP-END DAMAGE. Jabbasport usually change them every 20,000 miles as a precaution, as they are only 28 quid a pop.

3) If the car is a DSG and lurches when you pull away, it's likely to be a failure of the Mechatronic ECU. Should be super-smooth when you pull away.

4) As it's direct injection, fuel goes straight into the cylinder, so therefore the back of the valves can get coked up leading to high oil consumption. However, VW says loss of 1Litre per 1k miles is normal, so check oil level regularly.

5) Check the inner wear on the rear tyres. The outsides can look fine, but the inner edge can be down to the canvas if the rear shocks are weakened. You should hear a droning noise similar to a shot wheel bearing if this has happened.

6) And finally, CAR highly recommend the DSG and going for a basic spec with cloth seats, for one of  the best hot hatches ever made!

Amended Point 6 as there clearly was a spelling mistake made  

[danishmkvgti]

So is that a good one, a worn one, does it need replacing if it looks like this?

Yup, good one, my bad one outside and inside. If it's reall bad the bottom of the cam follower will be inside the engine and you will be aware of it 

[Fizman]

Cam follower went on mine after 95k kms lads. Not a lot of fun, let me tell you. Had to get a new camshaft inlet and high pressure fuel pump. Replaced every 50k kms I'd recommend anyway, for peace of mind.

[Mk5 GTian]

I've just read the used hot hatch article in February's CAR. They have consulted Jabbasport and VAGTECH to comment on buying a used MK5 GTI. I'm sure there is nothing here that you guys don't already know about, but I thought it would be worth posting for those who are about to buy, or have recently bought a MK5 GTI. there are at least 2 additional things I have learnt that I'm getting checked at my cars major service on thursday. Main points are as follows:

1) The OEM turbo dump valve has a rubber diaphragm which can split, and lead to a loss of that turbocharger surge of power delivery at 2000rpm. Jabbasport replace this with a plastic piston from the S3, but if you are sticking with OEM, get it checked at service. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THIS DIAPHRAGM CAN BE REPLACED ON ITS OWN?

2) More serious is the fuel pump follower, which is prone to early wear and tear, especially if the car has been on long-life servicing. GET THIS  CHECKED IF YOUR VEHICLE IS 40,000 MILES PLUS, AS FAILURE CAN RESULT  IN SERIOUS TOP-END DAMAGE. Jabbasport usually change them every 20,000 miles as a precaution, as they are only 28 quid a pop.

3) If the car is a DSG and lurches when you pull away, it's likely to be a failure of the Mechatronic ECU. Should be super-smooth when you pull away.

4) As it's direct injection, fuel goes straight into the cylinder, so therefore the back of the valves can get coked up leading to high oil consumption. However, VW says loss of 1Litre per 1k miles is normal, so check oil level regularly.

5) Check the inner wear on the rear tyres. The outsides can look fine, but the inner edge can be down to the canvas if the rear shocks are weakened. You should hear a droning noise similar to a shot wheel bearing if this has happened.

6) And finally, CAR highly recommend the DSG and going for a basic spec with cloth seats, for one of  the best hot hatches ever made!

Amended Point 6 as there clearly was a spelling mistake made  

Nope, I've just checked it again, it clearly says MANUAL 

[Mk5 GTian]

Cam follower went on mine after 95k kms lads. Not a lot of fun, let me tell you. Had to get a new camshaft inlet and high pressure fuel pump. Replaced every 50k kms I'd recommend anyway, for peace of mind.

Cheers Fizman, just reinforces my decision to get it changed, whatever it looks like. Glad I read this article.

 

[daz05]

I think point 5 is wrong too, didn't earlier cars come with a fair bit of negative camber on the rear, mine is running 1.5deg and I'm just going to have it adjusted.

[Mk5 GTian]

I think point 5 is wrong too, didn't earlier cars come with a fair bit of negative camber on the rear, mine is running 1.5deg and I'm just going to have it adjusted.

I don't think it's wrong as such. Your point may be an additional reason for  the inner wear, but these points are based on the experience of Jabbasport and VAGtech, who have been working with these cars day in day out since 54 plate. They will have found a strong correlation between weakened rear shocks and inner rear tyre wear to have brought this one up.