I researched this issue last summer and even got a quote from the dealer to replace the tensioner device but was told by them that it was not necessary. Well, apparently it was. Now the car is in the shop and I learned today that they can't even finish diagnosing the damage because ALL of the timing chains have been taken off the shelf due to some manufacturing defect. Until they get a new chain on the car, they won't know if the valves are damaged. Called VW America today and was told, sorry, not under warranty so no help. Worthless! This is the very last VW I will ever own. Crappy company that doesn't back up their product even though they KNOW there is a defect with the tensioner device which I hear has been redesigned four times!
Update from Feb 12, 2019: Well, Volkswagen settled a class action suit on the engine timing chain issue but they will only pay if the failure happens below 100K miles. Unfortunately for owners, the average timing chain failure is closer to 115K. But this will limit the exposure for Volkswagen and screw over owners who have a car just over the limit.
Volkswagen has lost at least one customer because of this and I suspect they have lost a lot more overall.
I researched this issue last summer and even got a quote from the dealer to replace the tensioner device but was told by them that it was not necessary. Well, apparently it was. Now the car is in the shop and I learned today that they can't even finish diagnosing the damage because ALL of the timing chains have been taken off the shelf due to some manufacturing defect. Until they get a new chain on the car, they won't know if the valves are damaged. Called VW America today and was told, sorry, not under warranty so no help. Worthless! This is the very last VW I will ever own. Crappy company that doesn't back up their product even though they KNOW there is a defect with the tensioner device which I hear has been redesigned four times!
Update from Feb 12, 2019: Well, Volkswagen settled a class action suit on the engine timing chain issue but they will only pay if the failure happens below 100K miles. Unfortunately for owners, the average timing chain failure is closer to 115K. But this will limit the exposure for Volkswagen and screw over owners who have a car just over the limit.
Volkswagen has lost at least one customer because of this and I suspect they have lost a lot more overall.
- Dan D., East Hampton, CT, US