Hi folks.

My polo 1.2 (3 cylinder 2003) has been a great 1st time starter since I got it two and half years ago. On wednesday night I went out to start it after lying for a week in sub zero temperastures and started first time. Turned it off confident it would get me to work next day - guess what, it refused to start. Ended up getting breakdown recovery chap yesterday, who tried for an hour with the occasional almost kick into life. He reckons there's no or weak spark (fuel injectors etc ok). When I told him about the start on wednesday and said I switchef off right away his eyes went heavenward and said that what I did could have induced a lot of moisture into the ignition system and to try taking everything out, cleaning up and drying/ warming it up. I phoned my mechanic chap (the guy I bought the car from) and he said this was unlikely - he reckons iys more likely the timing chain has jumped as modern cars don't really suffer from dampness. Anyway, I took everything out and found the spark plugs had a gap of about 1.2mm!!!! (yes, I've been lazy about that side of sevicing as it's only dome about 10000 miles in last 2 years). Have regapped them and will put in to try todaybut in case it doesn't start, anybody got any views on this scenario? All help gratefull received.

Many thanks

Eddie

Well, checked the plugs and have a good spark with all 3. Looks like it is the timing issue - does anybody know if there is a camshaft timing sensor on this or is it going to be the timing chain?

Well, checked the plugs and have a good spark with all 3. Looks like it is the timing issue - does anybody know if there is a camshaft timing sensor on this or is it going to be the timing chain?

well, it seems the timing chain has jumpedbut I am not confident about changing it. any afvice and diagrams wouldf be gratefully appreciated.

Eddie

well, it seems the timing chain has jumpedbut I am not confident about changing it. any afvice and diagrams wouldf be gratefully appreciated.

Eddie

why would the timing slip after being stood up for the duration you quoted ? this would only happen if something more sinister were to of happened i.e the water pump freezing solid or something along those lines and you then trying to start it and you've obviously been turning it over trying to get a spark so if it is a timing issue and you have an interference engine then you may have shot yourself in the foot before removing the belt check all the timing marks but i'm pretty sure the cold weather wouldn't have caused a timing problem

well, it seems the timing chain has jumpedbut I am not confident about changing it. any afvice and diagrams wouldf be gratefully appreciated.

Eddie

why would the timing slip after being stood up for the duration you quoted ? this would only happen if something more sinister were to of happened i.e the water pump freezing solid or something along those lines and you then trying to start it and you've obviously been turning it over trying to get a spark so if it is a timing issue and you have an interference engine then you may have shot yourself in the foot before removing the belt check all the timing marks but i'm pretty sure the cold weather wouldn't have caused a timing problem

jus read it again and noted you said TIMING CHAIN never heard of a chain slip or are you on about a belt ?

These chains slip all the time, they're of a poor design, the tensioners fail, chains stretch till one day you go to start it and it slips.

It's such a bad problem that VW now do a revised chain kit.

These chains slip all the time, they're of a poor design, the tensioners fail, chains stretch till one day you go to start it and it slips.

It's such a bad problem that VW now do a revised chain kit.

Thanks for the comments so far guys. My problem is judging how far the cams are out of sync. - I've taken the 2 covers off and the ends of the cams have 2 notches each. Should these match up? my manual suggests special tools are needed for the job so might have to try and hire these from local dealer but don't know yet if they hire these things out. I'm also now confused as I was under the impression the chains were actually at the gearbox side but diagrams suggest the opposite end??? Any help gratefully appreciated.

Eddie