VW Polo timing chain nightmare!

FrankRizzo

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

You can let it drip for a week, I guarantee you'll not get much more out than you can with a decent extractor.

I have *actually* tested this theory and haven't bothered with sump plugs since except on the first oil drain I do when I buy a new car so I can check for debris in the oil. Other than that, every 6-8K I do an oil change and I do it with an extractor. Takes 10-15mins, and I could do it in a wedding suit on a lot of cars.

Quick, clean and tidy.

Another thing a lot of people forget when they come up with the 'sludge' and 'it leaves a load of oil in there' arguments is boats.

How do boat owners remove their sump plugs? Drill a hole in the keel?

No, they use an extractor, and have done for years, and it's not that easy to just pop a new engine in, and if there was that much risk by using an extractor, boats would constantly be needing new engines. If it were that bad an idea, people like Volvo wouldn't recommend it, they'd tell you to take the engine out every time it needed an oil change, and boat owners wouldn't stand for that.

What suction pump do you use or recommend? thanks

Richard53

Richard53 wrote: »

Suction pumps are very easy and convenient

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

And yet they've been used by main dealers for years.

The two are not unconnected, I would imagine.


Perhaps my views on these pumps are out of date, but I'm still going to warm the engine up and leave it to drain for an hour or so before refilling. At least I know it has been done.

arcon5

What main dealers use suction pumps then?

A lot of undertrays now have access holes, not exactly time consuming doing it properly. I highly doubt it

daveyjp

arcon5 wrote: »

What main dealers use suction pumps then?

A lot of undertrays now have access holes, not exactly time consuming doing it properly. I highly doubt it

Mercedes do.

arcon5

daveyjp wrote: »

Mercedes do.

Highly doubt it. Unless you can point to an official page or something saying they do this on their services

mark5

Black_Eyeliner wrote: »

With regards to the matter of servicing, firstly I would say that in 20 years of driving I have NEVER had a car serviced beyond the first three years. I've only ever owned second hand polos, so it hardly seems worth it. An MOT is costly enough, in my opinion.

Secondly, I would argue that it is highly unlikely that there is any sludge built up in my engine since its last oil change (two years ago, I think). My oil levels are never low, and I look after my car. So the implication that I am somehow responsible for the damage to the timing chain because I have neglected the car is unfair.

Thirdly, there appears to be a documented problem with VW timing chains which happens with or without a full service history.

I strongly believe that it is unreasonable to expect me to have to pay £1200 to replace something that should last the lifetime of the car. Brake pads, etc., fair enough, but not a major engine part!

The most important thing to do to a timing chain is regular oil and filter changes. Yes there are issues with VW timing chains but even if there wearn't you would probably have run into trouble with your views on servicing.

Moisture,Carbon, acid etc build up in the engine/oil during use so the oil quality deteriorates from the first day it goes in. At 2 years old your oil is well past its best and isn't lubriating engine parts as it should. When your timing chain is removed ask the garage if you can see the oil that's drained out then watch the new oil go in.

My local VW dealer will change the oil and filter on a golf tdi for about £70 using long life oil, your Polo should be cheaper.

motorguy

Black_Eyeliner wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice about servicing. I suppose my point is that there is a known fault with timing chains EVEN WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED! So the fact that my car hasn't been serviced is neither here nor there.

Degraded oil or running low on oil is a contibuting factor.

Any chance you had of getting a goodwill gesture has been scuppered by your lack of servicing.

And goodwill is a two way street - wheres the goodwill or loyalty on your part? You havent bothered having the car serviced and presumably didnt buy it new, so why would VW want to offer goodwill? Theres been none to them or the car on your part.

motorguy

mark5 wrote: »

The most important thing to do to a timing chain is regular oil and filter changes. Yes there are issues with VW timing chains but even if there wearn't you would probably have run into trouble with your views on servicing.

Moisture,Carbon, acid etc build up in the engine/oil during use so the oil quality deteriorates from the first day it goes in. At 2 years old your oil is well past its best and isn't lubriating engine parts as it should. When your timing chain is removed ask the garage if you can see the oil that's drained out then watch the new oil go in.

My local VW dealer will change the oil and filter on a golf tdi for about £70 using long life oil, your Polo should be cheaper.

+1

Oil detoriation and oil levels are key when it comes to timing chains.

My son bought a BMW 120D M Sport three years ago - notorious for timing chain problems. It had a full BMW maintenance history and we continued getting it serviced on schedule by BMW AND we had an oil and filter change done half way between by our local mechanic. We also checked the oil level every fortnight and topped up when required.

A potential £4,000 bill avoided for a few £££

Car has ran perfectly.

Being traded in this week and someone will be getting a great car!

:cool:

BeenThroughItAll

arcon5 wrote: »

Highly doubt it. Unless you can point to an official page or something saying they do this on their services

I've posted it before. The TSB number is in there if you want to look it up.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=66585890&postcount=53

BeenThroughItAll

BeenThroughItAll wrote: »

I've posted it before. The TSB number is in there if you want to look it up.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=66585890&postcount=53

BTW, no need to acknowledge you were wrong, I know you won't bother.