VW Polo timing chain nightmare!

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  • BeenThroughItAll
    BeenThroughItAll Posts: 5,018 Forumite
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    Marktheshark wrote: »
    You did not get this from me !

    Quote to them : Service Bulletin 343306.
    That is the end of the "it never happened before line."

    Known issue and they should have a record for the service recall for your car.

    This isn't the !!!!ing SAS. The TSB is not exactly a secret, and the details are easy to find with a simple Google search. Don't try and !!!!!!!! that you're some kind of secret VW mole or something. Jeez.
  • Black_Eyeliner
    Black_Eyeliner Posts: 156 Forumite
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    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!
  • loskie
    loskie Posts: 1,761 Forumite
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    so you NEVER service a car after 3 years old, well more fool you.
  • wgl2014
    wgl2014 Posts: 1,144 Forumite
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    Really? How long do your cars last with no servicing?

    Oil and filter change at less than £60 a year will more than pay for itself in the long run.

    As for timing chains lasting the life of the car, not without proper lubrication (clean oil).
  • angrycrow
    angrycrow Posts: 1,078 Forumite
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    Few basic tools at under £20 and half an hour of your time will see an oil change for around £25 a time. Such a simple job most people with any form of diy skills would be able to do it.
  • BeenThroughItAll
    BeenThroughItAll Posts: 5,018 Forumite
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    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!

    'I never service my cars'

    'I look after my cars'

    Era, no.

    Tell me, would you expect your teeth to last a lifetime without regular maintenance in the form of brushing?

    How about your hair to always look good without needing cutting?

    I bet you can find the money for those two things, and I bet your haircuts over the course of a year, plus toothpaste and brushes, costs a lot more than an oil and inter change at your local garage.
  • gilbert_and_sullivan
    gilbert_and_sullivan Posts: 3,238 Forumite
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    Yep service car minimally for around £50 a year by getting your hands dirty, or do the other thing.

    An annual oil change is the absolute minimum, this 20k and 2 year service intervals makers talk about now is utter cobblers, its there to make leasing cost cheap for fleet users, who get rid of the car before or when warranty expires.

    All you can do is visit a VW specialist indy or, seeing its a mass produced car any decent indy workshops of repute should be able to sort this for you far cheaper than the VW dealer.

    If however you continue to neglect your cars expect more large bills like this to present themselves now and again.
  • Le_Kirk
    Le_Kirk Posts: 22,312 Forumite
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    I will ask the question on a money saving site - why is it £1200? Have you had a breakdown of the costs? To those on the site who are "in the trade" - what is involved in changing the chain that it takes so long? If you ignore the price of the chain, then, at £50 per hour that is 24 hours?
  • iolanthe07
    iolanthe07 Posts: 5,493 Forumite
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    I have NEVER had a car serviced beyond the first three years.

    Then I pity the poor sod who buys them after you.
    I used to think that good grammar is important, but now I know that good wine is importanter.
  • Black_Eyeliner
    Black_Eyeliner Posts: 156 Forumite
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    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.
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