Timing chain and tensioner discussion and issues

[davidorama]

I thought that chains also have to be replaced as they can also stretch / wear over time ... they just have a longer interval per change but are more expensive per change than timing belts?

I think timing chains are meant to last for the life of an engine if the engine is well maintained, theres no accidental damage and no engineering faults.

[brad]

I think timing chains are meant to last for the life of an engine if the engine is well maintained, theres no accidental damage and no engineering faults.

Agree
There is no actual "change at this mileage/time" for chains. It's run to fail (that doesn't mean breakage).

My BZB block EA888 has 196,000km. No chain noises, even at start up. That's pretty normal.

The only chain I've ever replaced was on a Holden 253 and that was "while I was in there" preventive maintenance fitting a duplex chain instead of the single when replacing the camshaft.

[Lucas_R]

Hello everyone,

I've been lurking here for a couple of days after recently purchasing a 2010 Golf GTI MK6 @ 133,000 kms as the 4th owner. I'm kind of getting worried about this whole timing chain and/or tensioner issue. Logbook and receipts don't mention addressing this issue.

Any recommendations on how should I go about getting this diagnosed and/or fixed in Sydney? Should I call VWA with my VIN to see if they have records on this issue?

Appreciate the help!

I would factor this into your budget to have the timing chain and tensioner replaced. A good $1500 or so will cover the parts and labour.

I think timing chains are meant to last for the life of an engine if the engine is well maintained, theres no accidental damage and no engineering faults.

They are meant to, but on many cars (VW/Audi/Skoda included) they are a constant issue and cost owners many thousand of dollars in damaged engines when the chains fail/stretch or the poorly designed tensioners give up.

[tigger73]

I would factor this into your budget to have the timing chain and tensioner replaced. A good $1500 or so will cover the parts and labour.

This. The reason the person is selling the car is likely they are scared ****less that their timing chain is going to go any minute and don't want to tip the $ into maintaining the car. Just use it as a negotiation tool. They should know about this issue and you can get them to knock off at least $1k in the price if it hasn't been done.

They are meant to, but on many cars (VW/Audi/Skoda included) they are a constant issue and cost owners many thousand of dollars in damaged engines when the chains fail/stretch or the poorly designed tensioners give up.

Nothing lasts forever and many of these "sealed for life" boxes are just good for 120,000-150,000km and then die. It gets the old cars off the road and manufacturers sell new cars which is what the game is all about folks. The factories don't keep going if cars don't wear out/break/crash. They're actually designed not to last - or at least last a reasonable length of time but not too long if the senior design engineers have done their job properly.

[Polonator]

Hi All,

I have had a similar issue with the timing chain on my 2010 77 TSI Polo 80,000km. CEL came on and thought it was the timing chain from reading forum posts. Took it to VW dealer to get it diagnosed, and when they confirmed the timing chain had stretched I started pushing for VW to offer some sort of goodwill considering this is a known issue (quoted $1540 originally). I am still trying to negotiate this with them but they are giving me the run around big time. It was taking a while so I said to go ahead and repair while I tried to work something out with VWA.

Dealer has now called to say that they checked the valves and they are bent. He estimates it will cost around $5k all up to fix the valves and chain.

Any advice on how to proceed would be appreciated. I'm of the opinion that VW should cover the lot since it is the result of a known fault in their timing chain, but this is unlikely.

Cheers.

[allagras]

hi all
Going through something similar jusy now with my wifes 2010 Mk6 1.4 TSi with the CAXA engine.

Cutting a long story short, has been running rough and making some chain noise so bit the bullet and took the timing cover off - what a mess...exhaust side chain guide was almost totally destroyed - lots of it in the sump with lots of aluminium shaving from the inside of the timing cover.

Pretty lucky to get it before it got too bad - but shows that even though the chain itself can last a 'lifetime' he associated plastic parts don't!!

From my perspective doing it as a DIY job is costing about $300 or so for parts, but in a garage, even a non VW one - probably around $1000 for the labour cos of all the effort to get all the ancillaries off just to take of the timing cover!

Also I'm sure there's a thread (on here?) about leaving the car in gear on a slope - if the handbrake isn't rock solid, the car can move a bit, and as the tensioner is sh**e it can let the chain slip a little, which is where the problems start!

[vorleys1982]

The 1.4l 118TSI comes from the EA111 family and it's camshaft is chain driven

List of Volkswagen Group petrol engines - Wikipedia

Mr Gee is correct it has a chain. The 'tensioner issue that some refer to is that the tensioner is both spring and hydraulic in its design, but it has no ratcheting system so it can go back as well as forwards. A replacement comes as part of the kit. I have just changed the chain on my 1.4 Comfortline 118ts CAVD (look up ''notorious CAVD'' post).

A chain is more reliable than a belt for obvious reasons and on this particular series of engines VW do not consider it to be a normal part of the servicing schedule. i.e. they are not supposed to be replaced at all. That said, the one i replaced was about 8mm longer than then new one and the tensioner was in far better condition. If you are pulling the engine apart anyway, it's be rude to not splash the $250 for the kit, but in the normal run of things you shouldn't need to replace it.

I had a bit of a mare trying to source the kit as everyone I spoke to (including a muppet at VW) kept telling me it was a belt and not a chain. There is also often confusion with the supercharger belt as well.

Good luck.

[b1ker4e]

Hi

I had the engine of my 2010 MK6 Golf rebuilt recently. Ever since the rebuild the car is misfiring on all cylinders under very low RPM between 900 to 1500RPM. There are no faulty codes stored in the ECU when scanned with VCDS.I have been checking stuff and came across measuring block 93 that is reading 103.07° when the engine is at operational temperature. Is this normal or there is something wrong with the timing that causes misfiring under low rpm? I have already tried another set of coils and spark plugs with no change.
My car is VW Golf MK6 2010 with the "famous" CAVD engine.

Here is a video I filmed: 1.4TSI CAVD Misfiring - YouTube


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