Tiguan 147 TSI Engine Problem

[White Tiguan]

Hi , My 2009 Tiguan 147 TSI recently developed a severe engine missfire which required the car to be towed to a VW dealer . Initial inspection indicated no compression on number 4 cylinder . Once the head was removed two bent valves were found . So far no real explanation has been given as to what was the root cause of the valves bending but it wasn`t expected to be a timing chain /tensioner issue as no other valves were damaged.

The fix is a replacement head with a job quote of approximately $6500.
An application was made to VWA for goodwill but was rejected outright.

Given that the car is around 6 and 1/2 years old with approx 121000 on the clock and has full VW service history i feel somewhat let down by VWA`s response .

[ian]

Mate I've seen 147. Engines on eBay going for $3,000 with warranty

[Lucas_R]

Bent valves are usually caused by making contact with the piston due to a slipped/broken timing belt/chain.

Given that the 2.0TSI engine has a well known history of failed timing chain tensioners (tensioner design was updated in 2012 but all 2.0TSI engines before 2012 are at risk) and also stretched timing chains - i'd be very surprised if this was NOT the issue with your engine.

My own 2010 VW Golf GTI had the timing chain tensioner fail...luckily i caught it early and had it changed at my cost ($1k) as VW wanted nothing to do with it (said the rattling noise was normal).

[ian]

There are quite a few. On EBay. Might cost $1,000. For a mechanic to install

[White Tiguan]

Bent valves are usually caused by making contact with the piston due to a slipped/broken timing belt/chain.

Given that the 2.0TSI engine has a well known history of failed timing chain tensioners (tensioner design was updated in 2012 but all 2.0TSI engines before 2012 are at risk) and also stretched timing chains - i'd be very surprised if this was NOT the issue with your engine.

My own 2010 VW Golf GTI had the timing chain tensioner fail...luckily i caught it early and had it changed at my cost ($1k) as VW wanted nothing to do with it (said the rattling noise was normal).

Lucas_R I agree with what you are saying re timing chains /bent valves . I have read this numerous times on the internet and at first thought that that may have been the case with my motor. Almost hoping that it was so that there would be some precedence with the failure.
I`m told by the VW service dept that i have 160 psi compression on 3 cylinders and 0 on number 4. My understanding and I could be wrong was that all 4 cylinders would of had bent valves if the chain had slipped. I asked and asked the service dept if that was the case . I`m told that the chain looks like new .

[Greg Roles]

Yeah I would have the service centre put a small usb camera down the other cylinders and look for valve marks on piston 2, as they usually follow each other in pairs - what is the firing order on that engine anyway? If you slipped a chain it would bend one and likely score another. You could also just check the chain timing?

[tigger73]

Lucas_R I agree with what you are saying re timing chains /bent valves . I have read this numerous times on the internet and at first thought that that may have been the case with my motor. Almost hoping that it was so that there would be some precedence with the failure.
I`m told by the VW service dept that i have 160 psi compression on 3 cylinders and 0 on number 4. My understanding and I could be wrong was that all 4 cylinders would of had bent valves if the chain had slipped. I asked and asked the service dept if that was the case . I`m told that the chain looks like new .

I would be asking the workshop what was the cause of the failure and how the valves were bent. They shouldn't just bend all by themselves. The reason you have no compression is likely that the valve is so bent it isn't sealing. The compression test just tells you that you have a problem and not the cause.

The way I see it you have a 3 options.

1) Suck it up and pay the $6,500. It's over 2 x over the standard warranty period, VW is cash strapped and is looking at ways to save $. They don't have the budget for out of warranty repairs that they once used to.
2) Ask the workshop for a written report including their findings pay them for their time and then take the car to another workshop for a second opinion (you may end up paying twice).
3) Go the second-hand engine route either with the current workshop or an independent who would be more than willing to do the work.

And given the known history of this engine I'd be suspecting timing chain slip also.

[Lucas_R]

Lucas_R I agree with what you are saying re timing chains /bent valves . I have read this numerous times on the internet and at first thought that that may have been the case with my motor. Almost hoping that it was so that there would be some precedence with the failure.
I`m told by the VW service dept that i have 160 psi compression on 3 cylinders and 0 on number 4. My understanding and I could be wrong was that all 4 cylinders would of had bent valves if the chain had slipped. I asked and asked the service dept if that was the case . I`m told that the chain looks like new .

Chain might "look" like new...but has it stretched? It more common issue is the chain tensioner failing - ask them to check that. There is a small inspection hole in the side of the timing case cover where it can be inspected (need to remove the drivers side front wheel to gain access).

[jets]

My question would be, is the no4 piston OK. If so take the cyl. head to a specialist to have it checked out & replace the 2 bent valves.
VW doesn't ever want have anything repaired, just put in a compete new assembly. If they don't want to do that, truck it to an independent as tigger73 has said.