Timing Chain and Tensioner Replacement at 67,000 miles?

[markinarch]

Hey guys,

I have had my a4 in the shop for 3 months waiting for piston replacement under the oil consumption class action. They called today and said they have finally started the pistons replacement but noticed my timing chain and tensioner needed to be changed. I thought they were suppose to last longer than 67,000 miles. Has anyone else had timing chain or tensioner replaced around this mileage? I never noticed anything wrong when driving (not sure what I would feel anyways). Are they just trying to screw me for $916 while they have my car in the service bay? Advice needed as i have to tell them what to do tomorrow....

Thanks.

[KevinInTexas]

I just had my pistons replaced (63k miles) and requested to have the timing chain replaced. My typical mechanic told me it was a good idea since they are known to go bad early on these cars. The quoted me about the same price as you, but even though I approved the work they mechanic forgot to do it. I was kinda upset, but the mechanic I typically go to (Brink Motorsports) quoted me right around the same price and I have more confidence in them than the dealer. I would say if you have the funds go ahead and get it done.

[Lockon_B7]

Definitely a good idea to do it. Your car will be getting an updated chain and tensioner.

[Project Quattro]

Short answer is yes, you should do at least the tensioner while the engine is apart. Definitely do a carbon clean out too, and if the chain itself isn't too expensive, then do that as well. You're getting a free motor rebuild, it's worth a few bucks to have an essentially brand new motor.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=640315


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[asfastas63]

First off, why has it been in for 3 months? I got my stage II rebuild turned around in two days. They suggested we change the tensioner timing chain tensioner and I requested they also do the chain. I think I was charged $180 for the chain and $90 for the tensioner? The labor was all included with the stage II warranty work, the $900 seems really really excessive if they're already doing it. The big reason they suggested doing it now (81k) is because they wouldn't have to charge for labor.

[markinarch]

Definitely a good idea to do it. Your car will be getting an updated chain and tensioner.

Thanks. You guys have convinced me.

Do you know what is updated with the new part? Or what the deficiencies were in the old part?

[sadj2885]

I'd definitely do it. The tensioner failed on mine at 77k miles and required a rebuild. This was less than 20k miles after they replaced the pistons and rings for oil consumption. I was without my car for 6 weeks and had to fight with Audi of America to cover it. Dealership wanted $7500 to do the rebuild. Better to pony up a few hundred now than deal with the headache later.

[audiAYYY4]

First off, why has it been in for 3 months? I got my stage II rebuild turned around in two days. They suggested we change the tensioner timing chain tensioner and I requested they also do the chain. I think I was charged $180 for the chain and $90 for the tensioner? The labor was all included with the stage II warranty work, the $900 seems really really excessive if they're already doing it. The big reason they suggested doing it now (81k) is because they wouldn't have to charge for labor.

Mine was about a week, so yeah 3 months is definitely excessive. I'm a little worried now, just hit 60k. I'll ask the dealership about it since I'll be going in for some minor work.

[yakev724]

First off, why has it been in for 3 months? I got my stage II rebuild turned around in two days. They suggested we change the tensioner timing chain tensioner and I requested they also do the chain. I think I was charged $180 for the chain and $90 for the tensioner? The labor was all included with the stage II warranty work, the $900 seems really really excessive if they're already doing it. The big reason they suggested doing it now (81k) is because they wouldn't have to charge for labor.

+1, paid part cost only, just under $300 for both as well.

Thanks. You guys have convinced me.

Do you know what is updated with the new part? Or what the deficiencies were in the old part?

Old tensioner is hydraulic-driven (feeds off the oil pressure), new one is fully closed. Here's the thread - http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ensioner-Study

Tell your SA that charging $600 in labor for what amounts to 30-40 mins of work (since the engine is already going to be out of the car) is ridiculous. Fine if they want to charge you for an hour (even though plenty of other dealers are doing this for free), but they're not netting the Part II labor.

[helldriver]

I was contacted when I had mine in for pistons and ring job, I had a damaged rocker arm too, they charged me for the parts only, good deal...

[doowopaudi]

Do the dealers warranty such piston and ring replacement and timing belt and tensioner as well?

[KevinInTexas]

Yeah, it's kinda messed up but my dealer wanted to charge me 5 hours for replacing the chain even though the engine was already apart for the Stage II.

The mechanic ended up not installing the alternator correctly and fried the engine harness and alternator. The dealer wanted to charge me $4500 to fix the damage that they caused. I had to get AoA involved and got the dealer to cover the costs. Now I question the work they did, especially since my low oil light just came on.

[markinarch]

My car has been in for 3 months because there is only one dealership in San Antonio and they are ridiculously behind. At least I put 3000 miles on their Q3. I haven't put up a big fuss just because I do have an audi loaner.

Well now I feel like I'm getting had by paying 900 bucks when most everyone else just paid for the parts. I'll call my SA tomorrow and see what I can do.

[Project Quattro]

Do the dealers warranty such piston and ring replacement and timing belt and tensioner as well?

The tensioner was free for me, they didn't even ask they just did it. I asked for a carbon clean out and they did that for free while it was apart. Timing belt wasn't mentioned or done most likely because I only had like 40k on the car.


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[meburke4]

This sounds familiar....I have 2011 A4, 2.0 engine, 75k miles. Died last Friday. Drove home from work Thursday night with no issue- would not start at all the next morning. Took it to dealer for service- I'd prepaid the 75k service, and thought that was a good idea. After five hours of looking around, they think the problem is with the timing chain...but they need more time at $140/hour to look. They initially thought engine was blown, but they've looked inside the engine with a small camera and it looks okay. I had all service on car to this point done at dealer. I have had an issue, since day one of owning the car, of 'losing' oil. Need to top off oil-quart each time-two times between oil changes. Oh, and I just paid off the car loan last month.

Dealer says that the timing chain may be stretched, but issue not related to oil consumption settlement issue. How do they know? Seems like a know defect with the chains. Coupled with design defect- and something Audi already knows about. Anyone else had a similar failure? I'm not keen on an $8k repair, and this seems like something Audi should make right. I'm a lawyer (I know...) and I don't want to threaten Audi yet, but will- an engine like this should not fail at 75k miles. Is there someone at Audi of America to contact? Others interested in a class action?

[bwell]

If Audi claims 110K mile replacement, and it fails at xx,xxx miles out of warranty, why would they not be liable for repairing that?

It's different with say, the leather on seats tearing, or headlights going out since they don't put specific maintenance timelines on those...

Another class action lawsuit in the works?

Or perhaps, it needs to get extended warranty status like the oil issues and turbocharger.

[jfo]

If Audi claims 110K mile replacement, and it fails at xx,xxx miles out of warranty, why would they not be liable for repairing that?

It's different with say, the leather on seats tearing, or headlights going out since they don't put specific maintenance timelines on those...

Another class action lawsuit in the works?

Or perhaps, it needs to get extended warranty status like the oil issues and turbocharger.

The timing chain has no maintenance schedule. You are seeing the listing for a timing belt, used on certain models only.

[eclipse1]

I just purchased a 2011 A4 with some issues and after testing with an ordinary obd tool, it came up with P0016 and P0299. Which leads to timing chain issue. I'm not sure if this car had any oil consumption issues before but if I take it to the dealer, is it possible that they will cover this? car has 75k miles on it.

[hockeysc23]

I just purchased a 2011 A4 with some issues and after testing with an ordinary obd tool, it came up with P0016 and P0299. Which leads to timing chain issue. I'm not sure if this car had any oil consumption issues before but if I take it to the dealer, is it possible that they will cover this? car has 75k miles on it.

Coverage in terms of paying for the repair? Doubtful. When mine broke they explained it's not an issue and after escalating up management their response was I didn't have enough Audi loyalty (this is my first one) for them to cover a part of the repair. I ended up having the dealer fix for 2.4k. My car had around 70k.

Best of luck. Doesnt hurt to ask but I'd keep the receipts in hopes of a law suit later.

[eclipse1]

Coverage in terms of paying for the repair? Doubtful. When mine broke they explained it's not an issue and after escalating up management their response was I didn't have enough Audi loyalty (this is my first one) for them to cover a part of the repair. I ended up having the dealer fix for 2.4k. My car had around 70k.

Best of luck. Doesnt hurt to ask but I'd keep the receipts in hopes of a law suit later.

What all did they repair in your car? Mine drives but hesitates to start and hesitates to pickup sped on the first or second gear; but after that it runs fine.

[richardm0025]

P0299 is a new turbo? Isn't the warranty on that like 70k miles?


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[hockeysc23]

What all did they repair in your car? Mine drives but hesitates to start and hesitates to pickup sped on the first or second gear; but after that it runs fine.

My tensioner broke so they replaced it, the guides, rails and I believe a new chain. I don't have the bill with me.

If your tensioner did break I wouldn't drive it. Can lead to much worse problems.

[nycaudi]

This is some real bullshit. You shouldn't have to pay shit. I'm sorry but that San Antonio dealership is just trying to rob you. You said it youraelf, they are the only shop in your vicinity and they are making a killing on that factor alone.

My story is a little different, my motor blew and audi replaced it about 50 k ago....no charge to me. I made the decision to have my chain tensioner the chain, accessory belt and pulies replaced last weekenday by a audi mechanic near me. Guess what? I had the new tensioner but an old style chain that had begun to stretch. The new chain has reinforced links which should last longer before stretching. The funny thing about this whole shit is that I had the new tensioner already...BUT that tensioner has 7 levels of "safety". Mine with only 50k on it had already ate through 3 layers and was sitting at 4. Meaning it was 3 layers from failing! So even the new tensioner last only say 90k. The new tensioner also fail! Some straight bullshit!

Remember my words people, lifetime oil in your tranny and lifetime chains that don't need servicing are all an illusion. Don't fall for that shit. Change your shit or risk it getting fucked up.

Change your tranny oil and change your tensioner as part of maintenance. Now, I could have waited.....say another 22k to be on the safe side or another 40k of Russian Roulette everytime I started the motor to save a couple bucks. Peace of mind is priceless though. Hopefully there's some more input on this so we can get a better idea of what the maintenance schedule should be for this topic.

[eclipse1]

Would this matter if I'm not the original owner of this vehicle? I got a quote from the dealer today and they're saying that this(timing tensioner failure) may have been caused due to the oil consumption issue but will not be covered due to customer negligence and/or not being the original owner(local dealership saying this). Contacted AoA and they filed a case for review to see if they will assist with this repair. ~$1400 for timing chain repair sound right? They'll replace chain, tensioner, seal, cover, case.... who knows what else. still waiting on an official quote.

[nycaudi]

Lol you dont need a new cover they reuse it. I would get that repair list itemized and then buy the parts yourself and find yourself a good audi mechanic that can do this for you on the weekend "off the books". Looking at maybe 1k or you can pay the dealer the 14. Whatever is easier for you.

[eclipse1]

So the timing chain job was done. A day after I got the car back, It started leaking oil. At least a drop every few minutes. No oil leaks before this job. You think they didn't put things back properly or didn't install a new gasket?

[tlhughes30]

Will restart here. 88k B.5.

Getting a free turbo (Code P0299)-courtesy of the recall. While there, they observed my chain is -5.73 (whatever that means). Said -6 to -9 means change it now; -10 means you're going to throw a piston. $3,000 American Dollars was the quote at the dealer!!!

(I'm considering ECS tuning VW kit $~650 and having my family mechanic do the work - 9hrs by the book)

[Theiceman]

yup is due, get it done, lots of current info without posting to 5 year old thread. this is a daily discussion.

3K is an absolute rip off of rip offs.

[silver_tt]

consider yourself lucky. you're getting a free turbo and they alerted you of a timing problem that can be much more expensive if you don't address it ASAP.

9 hours by the book, my man knocked it out for $900 labor and you can buy the OE parts from one of the many dealers selling online at cost+% for less than the labor figure. I would not horse around with an aftermarket kit and they aren't even that much cheaper