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Author Topic: Back in a MK5 GTi, anything to urgently do?  (Read 13005 times)

Offline Kodap_MK5

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Back in a MK5 GTi, anything to urgently do?
« on: May 16, 2025, 01:49:16 pm »
Hi guys,

I've had a couple of MK5's over the years but not had one for a little while, after recently selling my track ready MX5 I have chucked a little bit of that cash into a 2007 manual GTi, it's on 125k miles but has full service history and a very recent cambelt/water pump, service history is great and has only had 3 owners!

I've just ordered absolutely everything I need to do a full service myself..

- Oil & filter
- Fuel filter
- Discs and pads all round
- Cabin filter
- R8 coil packs
- NGK spark plugs

I've also ordered some less essential, but still nice to have bits such as a full cold air intake kit new Bosch wiper blades & then some lower suspension arms as they were an advisory on the latest MOT. Along with this I have a full set of coil-overs to fit once I can find where they are in my garage as I bought them brand new and never fit them to my last MK5, will check they are all good etc as they have been sitting for a while!

I have also ordered a new Cam follower to replace the existing one, I have no idea if it's been done before but thought i'd do it anyway just to make sure. What else do I need to look at, is there anything else that you would suggest is something i need to check or add to the above list?

Cheers
Joe

Offline coolhandluke

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Re: Back in a MK5 GTi, anything to urgently do?
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2025, 08:45:23 pm »
You could also check if the foam inserts are still in place around the front wheel arches. But if no rust showing thru they probably been removed..
And be careful when pulling the plastic engine cover
 off, do it when warn as they love to break.

Offline rxpx69

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Re: Back in a MK5 GTi, anything to urgently do?
« Reply #2 on: August 01, 2025, 05:19:14 pm »
Might as well check the cam Phase position - VCDS, Engine > Block 93, should be near or close to 0KW

Offline darren4

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Re: Back in a MK5 GTi, anything to urgently do?
« Reply #3 on: August 29, 2025, 02:04:44 pm »
Might as well check the cam Phase position - VCDS, Engine > Block 93, should be near or close to 0KW

Whats this checking for, sorry if thats a silly question

Offline mjmallia

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Re: Back in a MK5 GTi, anything to urgently do?
« Reply #4 on: August 29, 2025, 02:27:58 pm »
It checks how much the cam phaser is adjusting to keep the engine in time.  As the cam chain stretches over time the phaser takes up more slack to a point where it can't and you start to get hard starts and/or chain rattle noises at start up etc.  You can see how many degrees off 0 it is making an adjustment.  Up to 3 is usually fine, but then 4 to 6 you will be getting a lot of noises (consider sorting it very soon) , then above 6 you are a ticking time bomb (change ASAP if you want to keep the car)...........when checked on a warmed up engine.

The chain starts to show its age from about 80k to 100k depending on how well the engine has been maintained and driven.  The phaser also wears out and struggles to keep oil pressure to maintain the adjustment.  I changed my chain and tensioner 8 years ago but not the phaser and the chain had to be changed again recently due to the worn phaser prematurely wearing the chain (it was on -3.0 degrees from 0 after 20k miles and 8 years)..........replaced it all now
« Last Edit: August 29, 2025, 02:30:32 pm by mjmallia »
Mike

South Coast

S3 8L ---- Golf Mk4 GT TDI ---- Lupo GTI ----  A4 B6 Sline ---- Golf Mk5 GTI

Offline Bassman1974

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Re: Back in a MK5 GTi, anything to urgently do?
« Reply #5 on: August 29, 2025, 09:42:39 pm »
Its fair to say that there are many 2.0 tfsi's bombing around with high mileage on the original chains. The 400k plus GTI on here has never had the chain and associated components replaced.

That said, mine is sitting at a wild -17°. I've an original camshaft position sensor inbound. Obviously it's not a true value or it would be running as lovely as it does for it's 155k.

It checks how much the cam phaser is adjusting to keep the engine in time.  As the cam chain stretches over time the phaser takes up more slack to a point where it can't and you start to get hard starts and/or chain rattle noises at start up etc.  You can see how many degrees off 0 it is making an adjustment.  Up to 3 is usually fine, but then 4 to 6 you will be getting a lot of noises (consider sorting it very soon) , then above 6 you are a ticking time bomb (change ASAP if you want to keep the car)...........when checked on a warmed up engine.

The chain starts to show its age from about 80k to 100k depending on how well the engine has been maintained and driven.  The phaser also wears out and struggles to keep oil pressure to maintain the adjustment.  I changed my chain and tensioner 8 years ago but not the phaser and the chain had to be changed again recently due to the worn phaser prematurely wearing the chain (it was on -3.0 degrees from 0 after 20k miles and 8 years)..........replaced it all now

Offline rxpx69

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Re: Back in a MK5 GTi, anything to urgently do?
« Reply #6 on: December 08, 2025, 01:12:36 am »
-17° is badass lol

Its fair to say that there are many 2.0 tfsi's bombing around with high mileage on the original chains. The 400k plus GTI on here has never had the chain and associated components replaced.

That said, mine is sitting at a wild -17°. I've an original camshaft position sensor inbound. Obviously it's not a true value or it would be running as lovely as it does for it's 155k.

It checks how much the cam phaser is adjusting to keep the engine in time.  As the cam chain stretches over time the phaser takes up more slack to a point where it can't and you start to get hard starts and/or chain rattle noises at start up etc.  You can see how many degrees off 0 it is making an adjustment.  Up to 3 is usually fine, but then 4 to 6 you will be getting a lot of noises (consider sorting it very soon) , then above 6 you are a ticking time bomb (change ASAP if you want to keep the car)...........when checked on a warmed up engine.

The chain starts to show its age from about 80k to 100k depending on how well the engine has been maintained and driven.  The phaser also wears out and struggles to keep oil pressure to maintain the adjustment.  I changed my chain and tensioner 8 years ago but not the phaser and the chain had to be changed again recently due to the worn phaser prematurely wearing the chain (it was on -3.0 degrees from 0 after 20k miles and 8 years)..........replaced it all now

Offline Bassman1974

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Re: Back in a MK5 GTi, anything to urgently do?
« Reply #7 on: December 08, 2025, 09:53:05 am »
-17° is badass lol

Aye, but it still runs like a champ 1500 miles later with nothing changed !

Offline James Woodward

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Re: Back in a MK5 GTi, anything to urgently do?
« Reply #8 on: Yesterday at 10:57:04 pm »
Hi guys,

I've had a couple of MK5's over the years but not had one for a little while, after recently selling my track ready MX5 I have chucked a little bit of that cash into a 2007 manual GTi, it's on 125k miles but has full service history and a very recent cambelt/water pump, service history is great and has only had 3 owners!

I've just ordered absolutely everything I need to do a full service myself..

- Oil & filter
- Fuel filter
- Discs and pads all round
- Cabin filter
- R8 coil packs
- NGK spark plugs

I've also ordered some less essential, but still nice to have bits such as a full cold air intake kit new Bosch wiper blades & then some lower suspension arms as they were an advisory on the latest MOT. Along with this I have a full set of coil-overs to fit once I can find where they are in my garage as I bought them brand new and never fit them to my last MK5, will check they are all good etc as they have been sitting for a while!

I have also ordered a new Cam follower to replace the existing one, I have no idea if it's been done before but thought i'd do it anyway just to make sure. What else do I need to look at, is there anything else that you would suggest is something i need to check or add to the above list?

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Nice to see you’re diving straight in with all the service bits sorted, that’s half the battle right there! Definitely worth checking the cam phaser/chain timing like others have mentioned, and give the usual suspects like hoses and mounts a once-over while you’re in there too. If it’s been sitting a bit, fresh fluids and a good run will do wonders before any big adventures. 🚗💨
« Last Edit: Yesterday at 10:58:53 pm by James Woodward »

Offline mjmallia

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Re: Back in a MK5 GTi, anything to urgently do?
« Reply #9 on: Today at 08:11:40 am »
Oil pick up pipe in sump

Carbon clean the intake valves......lots of info on that one (make sure you have a full set of injector seals ready)

Injector and HPFP filter baskets will be about die if not changed (most are overlooked) misfires when everything else is done will most probably point to these filters breaking down and blocking/ruining injectors



Caught mine just in time
« Last Edit: Today at 08:16:42 am by mjmallia »
Mike

South Coast

S3 8L ---- Golf Mk4 GT TDI ---- Lupo GTI ----  A4 B6 Sline ---- Golf Mk5 GTI

Offline mjmallia

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Mike

South Coast

S3 8L ---- Golf Mk4 GT TDI ---- Lupo GTI ----  A4 B6 Sline ---- Golf Mk5 GTI