Faulty Timing Belt Tensioner bought in UK - $600+ to replace :(

[nightphotographer]

Hey Guys,

I've just taken my 9N3 GTI in for it's 105k service, I bought the parts for the service when I was visiting the UK and saved an absolute fortune but now it's come back to bite me as apparently the tensioner is faulty.

I paid $500 for the service (labour and random parts I forgot to buy when I was over) but now they want around $650 to replace the tensioner (I believe it's 4 hours labour).

Does anyone know if I have any chance whatsoever to get Volkswagen UK to cover the labour cost, considering I bought the part from them and have the invoice and the VW garage here are doing the work. And now that the new belt's on the car and the timing is correct - could I just fit the new tensioner myself with a workshop manual? I have no mechanical experience whatsoever, but my dad has done 3 VAG timing belt changes now so I'm sure I could sort something out. What do you think?

James

[dainese]

I think you'll be hard pressed to get any satisfaction from overseas.

which tensioner are you going to use, if they already replaced it?

get your dad to do it... !

[h100vw]

I don't fancy your chances of getting any cash back from VW in the UK. They'd probably replace the tensioner at best.

Doing the belt would be almost half a days work. If your dad has done belts before, it's not that different.

Once you have found a "how to", you'd be good to go. Access will be the biggest problem but not that bad.

Gavin