Back in a MK5 GTi, anything to urgently do?

[Kodap_MK5]

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

[coolhandluke]

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.

[rxpx69]

Might as well check the cam Phase position - VCDS, Engine > Block 93, should be near or close to 0KW

[darren4]

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

[mjmallia]

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

[Bassman1974]

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