Won't Start - ESP Error & Steering light on

[Tobes_WIR35]

Actually my very first thought was fuel delivery, just going by the way it almost started on the first attempt then spluttered then stopped (all in a matter of 2-3 seconds). Still much better than skipped timing chain and possibly damaged internals!! Fingers crossed it's something relatively simple like that

[Tobes_WIR35]

Just got word back from VW. No compression at all. So sounds like the old timing chain issue probably.....

I guess I'm looking at a new engine. VW guy said because I have had all my servicing done through them he is confident that it will be done under good will, hopefully 100% covered. Fingers, legs, toes crossed...

[Tweeked]

Seems to be a weakness with that engine.. good luck.

[Tobes_WIR35]

Got some news today. Engine has been stripped. Some bent valves and damaged pistons but apparently the bottom end is ok. Therefore it will be a rebuild not a new engine. Would have been a different story if the chain skipped at 5000rpm I guess...
My VW dealer (Austral Newstead) has sent their report and quote off to VWA and they are relatively confident that VWA will cover it. Should have the car back by the end of next week. Will be 3 weeks without my baby but I am just thankful that my VW dealer has been so helpful. They really could have hung me out to dry if they wanted to, given I am out of warranty and have APR tune & other bits. I have a theory that dealer servicing might be expensive, but it's cheap insurance if something goes wrong. That's turned out to be very true in this case I think...

[nat225]

you don't see too many post may2010 built GTI's having that issue.

did you only have the oil changed on an annual basis only at Austral and nothing in between? some say that sludge does have something to do with it (timing chain tensioner relies on oil pressure).

finger cross it will be a good outcome given that there is hardly any decent VW specialists in Brisbane with normal attitude now.

[Tobes_WIR35]

Yeah I only had the oil done at each 15,000km service, but was usually about 9 months not 12 months due to me averaging about 25,000km per year. And I always got it serviced at more like 12,000-14,000km. My engine does use a bit of oil (as normal I guess) so I generally topped up 1-2 litres in between services. But that doesn't help if there's a sludge problem I guess.

[Tobes_WIR35]

VW called me back today, so turns out they are replacing the engine after all...

[Brendan_A]

That's a good outcome.

[AdamD]

VW called me back today, so turns out they are replacing the engine after all...

Did they find bottom end damage? TBH with damaged pistons I was surprised they didn't decide to give you a crate engine from the outset.

[Tobes_WIR35]

Apparently they couldn't find any obvious bottom end damage but they couldn't guarantee it so they decided on a full base engine replacement. I'm glad they did, I was a little unsure about a rebuild. On the bright side a new engine at 85k is not bad!