Amarok woes

[he1nr1ch]

I bought a new VW Amarok 2.0 TSi in Nov 2012 and have been very, very happy
with it … until last week that is.

Monday last week my Amarok did not want to start. I left it (took the
motorbike) for the day and on Tuesday tried again and managed to start it,
but then the engine was shaking and it was clear that something was up. I
immediately had it towed to my usual VW service center for them to check.

They did not have a clear diagnosis, only suggested a possible timing chain
issue … and of course needed my ok to go ahead to open the engine before
they can diagnose the problem for sure. But of course the starting cost
they quoted was R9k, so I just asked them to hold while I do a bit of
research.

I searched the internet for timing chain issues on the TSi engine and
lo-and-behold quite a bit comes up! Seems like the earlier versions of the
TSi engine's timing chain tensioner is infamous for failing.

In particular, this thread on 4x4cumminuty.co.za …
http://www.4x4community.co.za/forum/sho ... -TSI-Issue
… jkent959’s description is to a T exactly my experience, other than that I
do not have an extended warrantee! My 3yr warrantee expired Nov 2015.

My mileage 72000km.

And yes, in my second conversation with the VW service consultant (on
confronting him with the info off the internet) he agreed that it almost
certainly is timinng chain tensioner that failed and almost certainly have
bent valves et al ...

So, questions to anyone with some info that can help:
- I was wondering how often VW Club or VW in general has experienced this
problem?
- And how VW has responded to the issue?
- Have there been any recalls on these engine's ... or scheduled warnings
to check and replace the timing chain tensioner at normal VW services?
- In cases like mine where the vehicle is out of warrantee, yet low
mileage and clean service history - any experience(s) where VW supported
okes like me with the repair costs in any way?
- And any other thoughts or guidance … ?

Thank you guys for this forum. Any form of input most welcome.

Heinrich

[mueneni12]

TSI tensioner failing on the G6 GTI is well documented - do not know about the amarok. If the vehicle is out of warranty, you will unfortunately bear the cost - i know a number of people who have failed to get vw to agree to pay for that.

[Neuk]

I am not sure where you are based but if the vehicle is out of warranty this sounds like a job for @panic mechanic and @BlueBlob.

[BlueBlob]

Common failure on them, especially when they spend a lot of time in dusty conditions.

[THANAS]

Common failure on them, especially when they spend a lot of time in dusty conditions.

VW engineer: Let's design an offroad vehicle that fails in dusty conditions.
VW CEO: Brilliant.

[BlueBlob]

Common failure on them, especially when they spend a lot of time in dusty conditions.

VW engineer: Let's design an offroad vehicle that fails in dusty conditions.
VW CEO: Brilliant.

Pretty much.

I have a friend that runs a few of them in the company. The failures he's had with this cam belt issue, and even suspension issues, that Volkswagen has blamed on dirt/bad roads, boggles the mind.

Granted, it could be a specific dealer, and not VW as a group. I've never delved that deep into the details with him.

[Wolfburger]

Common failure on them, especially when they spend a lot of time in dusty conditions.

VW engineer: Let's design an offroad vehicle that fails in dusty conditions.
VW CEO: Brilliant.

No wonder Johan changed the entire fleet on Voetspore hahaha

[Baldwin02002]

You have a PM. Thanks.

[mueneni12]

When it come to bakkies, the only brand worth driving around the dirt is a Toyota.

[dazza]

Common issue in the 2.0tsi, its just unfortunate that you only researched this after a failure rather than before the purchase.

The tensioners had numerous revisions in its time and the earlier models were more prone to the issue. Most guys here including me just went ahead and did the chain and tensioner kit as preventative maintenance to ensure piece of mind.

Unfortunately you will likely not get any help from VW and this repair will be at your cost more than likely. Depending on the damage worst case is between 45-60K repair. Further advise would be to take an aftermarket warranty to lighten the blow in cases like this

[panic-mechanic]

Yup sadly common issue on that series motors. Not just caused by dirt use.

[Neuk]

When it come to bakkies, the only brand worth driving around the dirt is a Toyota.

Until you come across a moose.

[Kavi4GP]

What was the milage ? If close to service you might have a point with vwsa , its known problem and they cant deny it if it was close to service as thats a check item.

Same happened to 2.0tdi we have , just after 105k km service snapped was out of warranty but they fitted the R57k bill as it was known and the revision was never applied.
Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[he1nr1ch]

thanks for the replies so far people
Kavi4GP in reply to your question: Mileage is 72000km. And my bakkie has been to VW dealership for every service to date - on time and under service plan (still is under plan). At which service is this a service check item?

Been in contact with VWSA CIC over the past week, but they not admitting that it is a known issue.
In fact, VWSA said it is end of conversation ... unless I commit to the cost of opening the engine for a full diagnosis and effectively take responsibility for the full cost, after which they may consider a goodwill payment - but which they definitely neither saying 'yes' or 'no' or 'possibly how much'.
Have not given VW the 'ok' to open yet. Must say, feeling a bit arm-wrestled by a much stronger arm ... hoping to open the conversation again so that it is not all risk this on me, but for the prayer of a goodwill something from VWSA.

Any facts that I can present to help them admit that it is something that is a known error or risk that should have been checked at service or at least given me a warning or something on?

Again, any advice here welcome.

[BlueBlob]

Any facts that I can present to help them admit that it is something that is a known error or risk that should have been checked at service or at least given me a warning or something on?

Lots of anecdotal evidence around (which is not going to really help your case), but no official admission from VW that I know of.

[dazza]

Agree to the cost of checking the chain tensioner revision currently on the car, then if it is the old version and not the latest then tell them it was the sub standard part that has caused the issue, they need to assist.

That's the only advise I can give now

[Rassie7908]

Good day

Was wondering if you had any success with VW SA regarding this problem. My Amarok did the same but in my defence I reported the engine failure light randomly coming on and then went away again. I booked it for a service and told them to do a whole run through from front to back and check everything. They couldn’t find any engine fault problems logged in the computer. I wasn’t 200meters from the dealer before the light went on again. Turned around and took it back but they found nothing. They said it could be a loose connection or dust, even though I rarely drive on dirt roads. VW SA denies any problems and the dealership won’t accept responsibility. I just got a nice R80k quote to repair the engine. Any advice?