All Mk6 GTI owners need to see this!! I find out why my engine seized and fix it

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All Mk6 GTI owners need to see this!! I find out why my engine seized and fix it
check out the video that the failure happened in here
• GTI DYNO SESSION WORST...
I tore into the engine and found that the exhaust side balance shaft had seized causing the engine to seize. I swapped in 2 new balance shafts, balance shaft chain, and balance shaft chain tensioner. It was a 2 month process to get it done but the engine funs great after I repaired in. Thank you all for watching and make sure to drop a like and comment and let me know what you thought of the video
#mk6gti #germanelitetuning #tsi #mk6

[@psiturbo]

The most important aspect of this DIY is BEOFRE removing the main chain is to have the camshafts lined at TDC BEFORE making sure crank is lined up with it, you bent a valve, another can of worms added to the mix. Is not a difficult job, but any stupid error will cost you a lot and I mean a lot of headaches. When doing this project, replace the crank pulley bolt and possibly the input (three) gear that goes at the end of the crankshaft, which is the gear that runs all three chains at once. Why? When removing the crank pulley you are running the risk of bending the crank input gear, don't ask me how I know .... LOL! The crank bolt, is a no brainer, and double check the crank pulley itself was not bent when using the locking crank tool. To clean all the crap plastic inside the hole, exhaust side, spray inside w WD-40 and let it soak for a day or so, then scrub it using a toilet bowl brush. Some of those toilet bowls the brush is not held too tight, so crazy glue the brush to the handle. Then from the bottom, removing the oil pan, Walmart sells this long brush for cleaning pipes, and scrub up from the bottom of the engine block into the return oil holes. No need to teardown the engine, but trust me, you do not remove the crusted black plastic it will clog again and fail. The intake balance shaft has a reverse thread bolt at its end that runs the water pump belt. I cut a 12mm socket enough that the head of the bolt would fit, and instead of using a rachet, on the ratchet side, I cut enough metal and then chamfer it's side to fit an open wrench, I used a 13mm. In other words, the length of the modified socket is enough to cover the bolt head and enough to insert a 13mm open wrench. I did not choose a 14mm because it cuts too much metal to the socket making it weak. Have a few 13mm of different length to maneuver when removing the bolt. Some of mine were bent as they would hit against the water lines. I had to loosen a bunch of sensors under the manifold and loosen the water line that connects with one bolt into the water pump. To make it stick to the bolt while giving you time to insert the wrench, magnetize the socket. DO NOT USE THE OPEN WRENCH 12MM if the bolt is too tight, you strip that sucker, dang, engine needs to be pulled out and access through the transmission face where the freeze plug is. The initial amount of engine oil is about 6 quarts, else the oil dipstick will be more than halfway low. Remember, about six quarts after the repair, after that follow the recommended amount. Is not a difficult job, but if this is your first rodeo, you are in for some soul searching, this engine will make you humble in a heartbeat.

[@righteous247]

This is good info. Doing my timing chain replacement very soon. Sitting at 95k miles with my fingers crossed

[@tedjohnson64]

Very interesting! I've seen a lot of mk6 videos, but never seen the actual balance shafts removed before. Cheers!

[@mellonmathonsi5887]

big up on vid bro......you brought that 2.0 back to life...... cant say much about the engineers that are responsible for my rebuild though. they are bunch of failures

[@yasirwidelensbyyasir5060]

Never thought that balance can be seized... I always thought time skips and it will damage the valves and piston.. thanks for sharing..

[@pvfeB7Ax]

My balance shafts needed to be replaced right at 150K, any ideas on how to prevent this issue in the future? Maybe change the oil every 3K instead of the recommended 5K? That's what I've been doing ever since. I don't mind because I use a pneumatic pump, so that makes it kind of fun! 😁

[@pedrogarcia7230]

I don’t think oil changes are the issue it’s just mileage considering vw oil changes are 10k miles they don’t make them to last long just to last warranty that’s why they are hard to service.

[@goodsoup1564]

I would like to say i have a mk5 gti gen 1 tsi motor and they suffer from the seals failing in the balance shafts during high revving . especially for tuned cars . those little rubber seals they revised with a different seal and only came in the 2014 gti from my knowledge .

[@samdelihasani]

i never remove the lower timing gear. I always keep the crank bolt installed with a plastic spacer and just slide the chains on

[@GermanEliteTuning]

That does work most of the time not I was not able to get the oil pump chain off so I pulled the gear.

[@samdelihasani]

@@GermanEliteTuning gotcha, I’ve only ever been in there a handful of times (4 or 5) hasn’t happened yet

[@Shadow-wn6oq]

Why does everyone forget to mention, mileage on the engine or year of the vehicle manufacture ??

[@ctm5617]

I have a feeling this is the same thing my car needs done. Don't have the tools for this stuff either! I reckon it's gonna be an arm and a leg to get this done somewhere. PAIN. Great job on showing how it's done, though!

[@hyper8545]

Wonder why it failed. Thats a pretty easy job tho basically just a timing chain job with a few extra steps. Hope the engine is good after this. I just had to tow my mk6 for a battery and starter job. Threw a starter jammed code that scared me. Thought my engine was locked up xD

[@GermanEliteTuning]

The metal that was in the screen was pretty sus but I did not find any signs of where it would have come from. It runs great now. That’s good the starter fixed your issue and it wasn’t anything major

[@johnd8651]

​@@GermanEliteTuning that looks like the screen from the cam bridge.

[@AmazianTragz]

Great Video! Very helpfull! I have just a little question, the old balance shafts had a little cut-out at the end but the new one dont? why is that?

[@fabini14]

This is big problem even with new ones, many people have bought new ones from vw, and they have problems with low oil pressure at idle, bacause the new ones have too much play on the block and make you loose oil pressure. New ones have to be very titght fit, if is loose is bad, best solution is just delete the balance shafts,

[@deejay4837]

That's solid carbon build-up isn't it? I've heard it's even better to just remove the screen, but I wonder if the ball valve will stay inside....or just remove the ball as well. I guess it's there to keep the oil in when at a park so it doesn't dry out, but that is a weak point.

[@TalalAlSa3ad]

Happy for you guys. This was an amazing video too. My Mk6 currently going through the same issue. The balancers (exhaust side mainly) apparently are loose on its gear and are making knocking noise and rough run. Waiting for the balancers to arrive. Hope all goes well and fixed safely.

[@GermanEliteTuning]

Thank you very much. Sorry to hear it but I am glad you are getting it fixed before it causes major damage.

[@TalalAlSa3ad]

@@GermanEliteTuning I fixed it already. It was ok for a while until my ac compressor jammed on the highway and cut the belt, just got it back on the road again 2 days ago. Now I need to deal with my pcv/oxygen sensor.. pcv is fairly new ( less than 1.5 years old), I get rough idle with oil burn usually after long drive without heavy boost or after just driving the car for certain time and way, then the burn goes away and never comes back till the second day. This car is so weird man! 😂😂

[@willie81ful]

@TaIalAISaad10 how much did it cost?

[@willie81ful]

@@TalalAlSa3adhow much did it cost you bro??

[@TalalAlSa3ad]

@@willie81ful i guess around 500usd

[@shanemcbride4496]

Perfect video was a massive help to me now I am struggling to find the balance shafts

[@mazpr2025]

the question is; Where did the metal shavings came from? One quick question, did the engine throw any codes before the balancers failure? How much were the balance shafts?

[@GermanEliteTuning]

I’m thinking it was from the bearings failing and earring into the bearing housings. No there was not any faults or any indication until it seized. $1200 from the dealer.

[@rhlastnae5236]

@@GermanEliteTuning I am doing this same job, on a recently rebuilt engine, after about 2k miles into the build... I did two oil changes before hand to remove any debris, metal shavings. I installed the balance shafts without the mesh to prevent them from clogging, still they did. It always fails the exhaust shaft, as this is the 2nd time it happens. The car was pulling great, 15psi on a IE stage 1 tune, just some spirited driving and on the first bleeding of speed, cruising it coasted until it died, no CEL, no overheating, happened just like your scenario when you had yours on the dyno. It cooked the black plastic oil shield (the one that goes on the balance shaft.) It also destroyed the dual pinion gear, the one on the intake side, it seized. The intake balance shaft is good, spins easy even with the water pump belt attached to the other side.

[@klubstompers]

12:40 I thought you wanted the yellow line/timing mark on the intake balance shaft to be pointing at the freeze plug/10 o'clock when you throw on the chain, not pointing at 12, o'clock, and the lower pulley timing mark pointed at the t30. Is that not right?

[@denisa400]

Nice video but i think more probkems wil comme ....engine has more of this screens....sooner or later wil bee alsso bloked...this engine is ticking bomb

[@dgrossi8471]

What a great video! Really excellent instructions!

[@GermanEliteTuning]

Thank you very Much for watching.

[@dgrossi8471]

@@GermanEliteTuning, have you ever done a video on engine valve cover gasket replacement?

[@GermanEliteTuning]

@@dgrossi8471 I have not but humble mechanics has a great one on his channel.

[@dgrossi8471]

@@GermanEliteTuning I thought his was done on an MK5?

[@lamar9846]

@@GermanEliteTuninghey brother I had a question about a 2015 Audi a3 1.8L. I broke the bolt to the water pump pulley in the front shaft. Can I just replace the front pulley like you did here and is it the same engine style to do so??

[@Health_fueled]

Great video brother!!

[@taylorsutherland6973]

Now I remember why I lost faith in VWs back 20 years ago. I loved the simplicity of the SOHC and a timing belt....ah the 80s....

[@davidperry4013]

The VR6 is a hearty engine.

[@XxThatGuyxX]

Cost my $1,600 in repairs for my balance shaft. Oh and my oil pump

[@shanemcbride4496]

What slide hammer will I need to remove balance shaft

[@gordonwalton2066]

Good job!

[@mikeschuler2946]

Do you use oem timing chains or is their a good aftermarket company you recommend

[@ArkECSGO]

Hey bro im having a little bit low oil pressure when hot idle(with new oil pump) 10psi ,people tell the problem is balance shafts what do you think should i check them and replace?

[@thrasher305]

Was there any special way to install the exhaust balance shaft plastic baffle? Did you slide it in first before installing the balance shaft or did you install it together as one unit?

[@kinderutz]

Did you replaced the intermediate shaft sprocket or did you re-use it ? Nevermind, I see you replaced it. Do you know the part number?

[@mohaisen86]

Great job 👏 , which tune on the car ?

[@GermanEliteTuning]

Thank you. It’s running our custom stage 3 software.

[@andrewduncan9210]

Hey good work. Hope she's still running well following the $$$ rebuild. What is the purpose of the plastic balance shaft sleeve only on the exhaust side? What happens if you didn't run it? Is it part of the balance shaft recess open to bottom of engine?

[@GermanEliteTuning]

the repair manual doesn't talk much about it. Its supposed to be replaced with a new balance shaft tho.

[@andrewduncan9210]

@German Elite Tuning wow thanks for replying. Yes I guessed it is recommended to replace, esp given cost when you're in there. I am actually trying to help someone out on a gen 3 ea888, mk7 golf engine. Long story short. The plastic sleeve, which is still used, although may not be identical to gen 2, ended up in the sump broken into many but surprisingly quite large pieces.... I answered a quizz night question as to what part the plastic pieces were from after being presented with a photo... car continues to run fine... but for how long. And what purpose does that sleeve serve. I hypothesised oil draining or spray management. But it is strange there's only the one and not much technical detail as to its purpose!

[@rolandm9750]

The plastic pipe prevents oil from foaming due to the rotation of the balance shafts. You should not try to run the engine without it installed. As per the VAG TechConnect article... "Of particular interest is that each balance shaft, while riding in bearings pressed into the block, is also encased in a plastic pipe. This innovative design serves as a shield for engine oil returning from the cylinder head to help reduce or eliminate the churning and foaming that would result if the oil flowed directly onto the balance shafts, which, as noted above, spin at twice engine speed."

[@andrewduncan9210]

Thanks @Roland M. That helps clear it up. Pretty sure there is only one sleeve on the balance shafts on the Gen 3, on the exhaust side only. But they must have a different set up and arrangement on the intake to operate without the sleeving!

[@sirikwanreyland1581]

Hay my oil feed chain snaped on my mk6r what has caused this can any 1 help?

[@theunpopularvic636]

bro where did you get the the bar that was that long for the balance shaft tool ?

[@theunpopularvic636]

I had the same issue but mine was the coolant side that seized

[@pedjica01]

Did you managed to fix it?

[@seanthorhauer5388]

Did you happen to throw the shaft in a freezer first? I’ve heard of people needing to do that to shrink it a bit to fit it back in. I’m waiting on a new part due to running into that issue. When I get the shaft in, it’s super snug. And once it’s in, the gear won’t spin, at least not with out more force than should be needed. Any ideas?

[@onelowvdub]

What would have happened if you just cut the chain and removed it ? Even without removing the main chain ? Would it be best to just leave that chain off like I used to do with Evo/dsm

[@GermanEliteTuning]

I think it would cause excess engine vibration but it might still run decent. I have not heard of anyone removing them on a tsi motor

[@onelowvdub]

@@GermanEliteTuning I have removed on lots of cars and balance shaft delete is really no different just usually mid rpm range harmonics

[@goodsoup1564]

You can’t do it on our motor as the oil pump runs with the shafts . on the FSI motor you can . I had my old fsi balance shaft “deleted” and it ran fine. unfortunately not the same for the TSI.

[@christophervankleeck9273]

intake side balance shaft turns the water pump drive belt.

[@apenationamcgme9063]

would have to run electric water pump

[@TheHuamantla]

Where I buy new parts for my car.

[@chrisschellenberg8106]

what needed to be removed on the intake side to get the in intake balance shaft out? Currently going to the same thing exhaust side failure. but had to order both. Intake balancer seems OK but wondering how much more work it is to take out and inspect.

[@GermanEliteTuning]

The water pump drive gear needs to be removed because it bolts into the end of the balance shaft. I replaced mine just for pice of mind.

[@chrisschellenberg8106]

@@GermanEliteTuning did you have to remove the intake? just wondering what all needs to come out to get at the bolt

[@GermanEliteTuning]

@@chrisschellenberg8106 I didn’t pull the intake manifold. The water pump belt cover just needs to be removed to get to the bolt for the drive gear.

[@jordan809]

Where did u get the puller from

[@elverionetheverione168]

I have had the same thing happen on my VW Scirocco did you get any warning prior to this happening?

[@moradbelbegra6592]

لقد تلقيت نفس المشكل يوم أمس ولكن لم تكون أي إشارة منبهة للمشكل

[@ivanvega2821]

Great video man! I’m currently attempting to diagnose an oil pressure issue on my 2010 CC. I ended up hooking a mechanical guste to the oil presser switch under the oil filter. When engine is hot and operating temp. Oil pressure is around 10psi and at 2k RPMs it goes to 30 or so. Could balance shafts cause oil pressure issues as you demonstrated the screens being all clogged up?

[@Azaiak272]

Hi did you figure this out? Having a similar issue I’ve replaced oil pick up and oil pump no luck, so it’s either bearings or balance shafts now right?

[@ivanvega2821]

@@Azaiak272 yea man, it ended up being both balance shafts. The intake one didn’t look to bad but there was some contaminants on the circular screens. The exhaust balance shaft, all the screens were blown out. I also went ahead and put 10w40 as recommendation by several forums I read. The vehicle is running like a scolded dog now. For the exhaust side balance shaft. I ended up getting 2 long bead buster crow bars. It wasn’t pretty but I was able to put it out. That took approximately 2 hours to do. Good luck

[@Azaiak272]

@@ivanvega2821 thanks mate, I’ve read some things online saying not to install the screens on the new balance shafts is that a good idea or not? Also when I remove the balance shafts what should I look out for to see if they’re the cause of my low oil pressure, appreciate the help

[@ivanvega2821]

@@Azaiak272 I have a test car I try things on. It’s a 2010 Volkswagen CC with 177k. That’s the vehicle that I resolved low oil pressure with replacing balance shafts. The balance shafts I ordered from Amazon (not ideal but wanted to see the quality of the parts) surprisingly, the balance shafts are very similar and they already come without screens. Installed them and ran with it as well as 10w40. As far as what to look for. Definitely make sure the cam bridge screen is recovered. You’ll normally find it stuck to the cylinder head oil port. You should also take note if the screens are blown out on the balance shafts. That will be a good indicator you are looking at the issue. Low oil pressure issues can be a pain to diagnose. Did you run a mechanical gauge to see what your cold start oil pressure is?

[@Azaiak272]

@@ivanvega2821 thanks for the reply, cold start 20psi once warmed drops to 10psi

[@pvfeB7Ax]

Just had the exhaust balance shaft fail AGAIN after only 60K miles after replacing the original ones! STAY AWAY FROM THIS ENGINE!

[@edkass7169]

Just wondering if this motor is still running or if you had other problems later on.

[@GermanEliteTuning]

It’s still running great. I had 12k miles on it since the balance shaft repair.

[@Azaiak272]

@@GermanEliteTuningis it better to install new balance shafts without the oil screens to prevent them clogging again?

[@omarvlogs6330]

Because the code p0299 mk6 2013 gti golf...

[@DavidScaife-oj3wn]

Wear on cams and Cam bridge

[@bryanlopez7603]

Yo!!! Do you have any social media to contact you on? I'm having a huge issue with the removal of the exhaust side balance shaft on my engine

[@theunpopularvic636]

as am i

[@moradbelbegra6592]

لقد تلقيت نفس المشكل يوم أمس وكان توقف المحرك بدون آي إشارة على سيارتي tsi 2.0 mk6 واليوم عند الميكانيكي وجدنا مضخة الزيت و العمود الأيسر لا يتحركون . Blockage du balance gauche Et la pompe a h'uile. شكرا على هذا الفيديو الرائع و يوم السبت سوف أرد عليكم النتيجة بعد إصلاح السيارة انشاء الله وحسب مرأيت إنه نفس المشكل.

[@Wolf-Law77]

Good luck brother. I have the Sam car. I’m really tired of it. It is a great car but is like having a bad girlfriend. When the problems start, are the problems that will make frustrated.

[@hyper8545]

How much would this job cost 🤔

[@GermanEliteTuning]

It would have been close to $3300 retail. It was around $700 parts for me.

[@Wolf_Mechanic]

I just replaced all my chains.

[@derargentinier8879]

😬😬😬