A6 C6 Timing Chain Failure

[LeonVFB]

Hey guys I have a C5 A6 but my sister has C6 A6 3.2 and I heard about some of them having timing chain issues and I wanted to see if anyone else has gone through this. And are the problems mainly with early model c6's (05-06) or do they all have problems with their timing chains up until 09. I searched online but couldnt find any real answers, and those who did say something seemed like they didnt know what they were talking about. Some input would be nice, thanks.

[hanzy]

Is she having an issue with the chains/engine?

We have replaced a few of them at my shop. In fact both of them were 2006 MY cars.

On both of those particular vehicles the passenger side tensioner had failed, which in turn caused bent valves.

Now both cars were still running when they came in, but both had severe misfires on bank #1, and camshaft position trouble codes.

When looking at the MVB of the cam position with the scan tool I could see that the cams on the passenger side were way out.

I knew the cam adjusters(I have seen the solenoids getting plugged with debris and cause the adjusters to stop working)were working because I could watch the ECM request cam phase change and see the desired match actual.

Compression was low on the bank and sure enough on tear down had bent valves.

At this point in that cars life cycle it would probably be cheaper to install a used engine if you do have low compression.

[SinCityA6]

As with all things, the chains and tensioners will wear out. But this should only occur on very very high mileage cars when maintained properly (regular maintenance, oil changes, etc). The chains and tensioners will fail prematurely if the car is ill maintained or beaten (driven) very hard. You will find many cars here that have well over 100k miles with nary a problem with the chains/tensioners; and you will find some (much fewer) that have.
It should not be of concern if the car has been maintained well and driven reasonably. Is your sisters car doing something to cause you to suspect the chains/tensioners?

[LeonVFB]

It is an 06 and has around 80k miles on it. She bought it with 60k miles. Well the thing is at cold start the engine seems to be running rougher than it should and sounds like a jet. Is this a major concern?

[LeonVFB]

The chain is between the engine and the transmission right?

[SinCityA6]

The chains are at the rear of the motor between the engine and transmission. As for rough idle, I would not necessarily jump to chains. When was the last time the plugs were changed? How about coil packs? Do you or someone you know have the ability to scan the car through VAGCOM? Start with these and work up from here.

[LeonVFB]

Is this a common problem though and is it with only early model c6's? I thought the whole point of going from belt to chain was so that it would be maintenance free lol.

[IanCH]

Is this a common problem though and is it with only early model c6's? I thought the whole point of going from belt to chain was so that it would be maintenance free lol.

If you had a timing chain problem, as far as I have read about the issue, you would know it. Clacking and knocking coming from the engine bay that is easily noticeable as a loud sound.

If you're have problems with rough start take it to a mechanic and have the codes read, there is no definite cause or problem that the early model c6's have that is guaranteed to be the issue as you seem to be fishing for.

Coil packs going is a very common problem, and plugs being the problem with misfiring is also a probable cause if misfire is your problem.