1.4 TSI Act cambelt nightmare

[FRoSTy]

Hey,

Posting for sympathy, good ideas, and as a warning.

Took my '64 Leon FR 1.4 tsi 150 to a local VW/Audi specialist as had got to 6 years, 60k, and they were (a) closer than the main dealer, who is in covid-lockdown land, and (b) quoting a slightly cheaper price (£399 vs new seat price of £499) for the cam belt replacement. Figured I hope to keep the car to over 10 years, so worth sucking up and paying for the belt. (Even though frustrated that I was sold a belt for life).

Looked like a reputable place, offered recommended parts and techniques.

They called at first to say the "timing's not quite right", we need more time to tweak it, which started to worry me.

They've called me today to admit they used a Laser 6554 Camshaft alignment kit, missed that this part had a recall, and overtightened it, and, ruined the engine timing.

Technical Bulletin: It has come to our attention if component C734 is over tightened when fixed to the cylinder head, it will push the inlet camshaft inner shaft to one side resulting in a misfire and generating engine fault codes (ACT or COD error codes). To correct the fault the camshaft pulley and shaft assembly must be pushed back into its original alignment position.

Laser Tools 6554 Camshaft Alignment Kit - for VAG 1.4 TFSI

Laser Tools 6554 In 2012 VAG introduced a new version of their 1.4 TFSi petrol engine. This engine is equipped with CoD technology (Cylinder on Demand)...

www.lasertools.co.uk

I'm 3 days into them trying to fix it... Hoping they've not ruined the whole engine.

How am I going to be certain that it's fixed? What assurances should I seek from them?

 

[Walone]

Too late now but Seats price includes a 5 year parts and labour warranty! So if it failed and ruined the engine you'd get a rebuilt/new engine.

 

[FRoSTy]

Too late now but Seats price includes a 5 year parts and labour warranty! So if it failed and ruined the engine you'd get a rebuilt/new engine.

Yeah, thanks for that! Thought I'd give some work to the local indie, and save having to arrange a lift from the main dealer (and save taking a day off work to deal with it). Going to be an expensive £100 saving.

 

[BigJase88]

Uhoh

keep us updated

 

[Rooster]

they should be able to rectify that, it's happened to lots of garages, the thing is the info is there from Laser Tools that warns you what not to do!, hope you get sorted. When you get it back if it's been rectified it should feel like it used to, no misfires or warning lights etc, good luck.

 

[FRoSTy]

they should be able to rectify that, it's happened to lots of garages, the thing is the info is there from Laser Tools that warns you what not to do!, hope you get sorted. When you get it back it if it's been rectified it should feel like it used to, no misfires or warning lights etc, good luck.

Have you seen any other reports of the same happening elsewhere? The guidance has been out for a year, i'm fuming that they didn't notice.

 

[Rooster]

Too late now but Seats price includes a 5 year parts and labour warranty! So if it failed and ruined the engine you'd get a rebuilt/new engine.

Ouch!

 

[Tonezz]

If they can't fix it then tell them to send it to the main dealer and pay for it.

Also if anything happens in the future you know whos door to knock on.

 

[Mr Pig]

I feel for you but the bottom line is that they'll fix it. They have no choice. From the sounds of things they have not done any damage to the engine, just knocked the timing out, so it's fixable. They'll probably have to put their best guy on it, lots of cursing and swearing but it'll get sorted.

On the plus side, now they owe you. After messing you about so much you'll get good treatment in future.

 

[Rooster]

Have you seen any other reports of the same happening elsewhere? The guidance has been out for a year, i'm fuming that they didn't notice.

I know of two garages this has happened to, one is a general all makes repairer, the other a VAG specialist. If I remember rightly from the conversations I had, the issue was due to the interaction of the ACT solenoid pins and the sliding collars, because the timing tool had been overtightened (as per the warning from Laser Tools) I know the specialist managed to sort it, the general garage didn't and ended up sending it to the local VW Dealer, it also turned out that they had let the engine drop when the mounting was taken off which damaged the wiring to the Lambda Sensor on the exhaust! I bet they had wished they had never taken it on! Let us know if you get it sorted and if this was the issue, regards, Rooster.

 

[BoomerBoom]

I know that UK dealers see cambelt changes as a guaranteed income stream, but is there really any evidence that the EA211 engine needs a regular replacement?

I'm sure I've read that the global maintenance list for this engine only requires an inspection interval for the cambelt, there isn't a replacement period given.

 

[martin j.]

My go to tech had the first laser kit and started the the job on a car, wasn't happy so stopped the job and car went to Seat, no damage done, mine also went to main dealer but under extended warranty so needed job done as per service intervals, I’ll pass on the update info to him for future reference.

 

[FRoSTy]

...the issue was due to the interaction of the ACT solenoid pins and the sliding collars...regards, Rooster.

Got it in one - it was that exact issue. They require a very precise level of calibration that is difficult if missed.

Car back today, 13 days later. The garage sorted at significant cost to themselves, requiring some precise tooling and lot of grovelling.

Feels / sounds as normal, will just keep a careful eye on oil levels.

 

[Rooster]

Awesome, glad you got it sorted.

 

[FRoSTy]

Spoke too soon. Engine ceased, serious oil loss, awaiting 250 mile tow home.

 

[Mr Pig]

Oh no! :0( That's terrible, sorry to hear it. Hopefully the garage will take full responsibility and sort it but it's hassle and worry you could do without.

 

[Tonezz]

So they might be paying for a whole new engine now then?

 

[FRoSTy]

Don't know what to say... Car was running great, until it wasn't!

Cambelt was fully intact, but engine not able to turn over.

Didn't notice the puddle of oil until after moving it. RAC man suspects it's thrown a rod. So yes, potentially new engine territory.

I've just checked where I was parked last night and spotted sign of a possible oil leak, but hard to tell as I'm at a holiday place and it's dark. But there wasn't any warning in the car around oil. I'd hope that the car has a sensor and would've warned me if it was running completely dry...

It's on its way back to the local indie.

Hire car booked, beer open, holiday with the family continues...

 

[Mr Pig]

Seems a bit of a coincidence that this happened immediately after the belt was done?

 

[FRoSTy]

I'm assuming a casual link until I get proof otherwise!