advice on timing chain issue a4

[taizer]

Hello I have a issue with my a4. I think the timing chain skipped a few teeth. I did not know this was a common problem or I would have updated the parts. The car was not running just cranked and the starter jams. Loud click motor does not turn.

Obviously checked battery first. My last thought was timing chain. But I tried turning the motor by hand and the motor does not turn, its locked up. Im assuming the valves are hitting the pistons. It rotates counter clock wise a little bit but then clockwise locks back up.
Seems like oil is full(checked with wire). The car only has 100k miles on it. My last lexus had 300k and my toyota has 260k. I was really hoping this would last 200k without too many major issues.

What would be advised. A new lower mileage motor or just take the head off and get new valves and update all the other part. I know the bottom end is likely good, but until I take the head off I wont know for sure. I also searched and If im not mistaken vw uses the same engine in their vehicles. This might make it easier to source a cylinder head if I end up going that route

I also need to know the tools required for the job. I know I need the crank tool and cam holder. Is there anything i should know before hand. I have never owned a euro car before and already realize they are much different than my hondas and Toyota I work on.

I plan on removing the front clip, then removing the front covers, putting the car back in time and then seeing the leak down numbers and at the same time check the tensioner for failure. If the leak down numbers are good I will put new chain and new gaskets and new tensioner on and run the car. IF the leak down numbers are not up to spec then I will remove the head and likely replcace the head or get it rebuilt with new valves. I will update the process

[elscotto80]

Sounds like you will be able to wrench, which is good.

Suggest you read the plethora of thread related to the timing chain tensioner and related repairs. It's well discussed here.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Audizine mobile app

[Stazi]

If it jumped time you are guaranteed to have bent valves. So just retiming it’s won’t fix it. Don’t kid yourself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[FCPEuro]

Hello,

The first thing I would do is scan your vehicle for any faults. If you see code P0016 Cam/Crank Correlation Fault, you will more then likely find your vehicle's timing is off. This is a very common issue because over time the timing chain stretches or the timing chain tensioner fails.

If you have access to a borescope, you can remove the spark plugs and utilize the tool to see if any of the valves are bent and check to see how much damage was done to the piston. Also, I would recommend checking the cylinder walls when you are in there. However, since you can not turn the engine over you will not be able to check all 4 cylinders. Also, you can not performed a compression test or a leak down test because the engine wont turn over.

Specialty Tools For Timing Chain Replacement:

- CTA 1023 This includes the camshaft locks, cambridge socket, crankshaft washer, crankshaft counter holder, timing chain tensioner lever.
- Uview Cooling System Filler Vacuum fill your coolant system to check for leaks and eliminate time consuming bleeding/purging


If you want to replace the intake and exhaust valves you will need to source a tool that can do the repair.

If you have anymore questions feel free to message me!

[Nczcar01]

Completed my 2010 A4 timing, balance shaft chains, guides, and tensioners a couple years ago as a precautionary measure. Everything on my A4 was in decent shape except tc tensioner....it was on its last leg. From your posting, sounds like you will soon discover the culprit(s). Although rare, I have heard of tc snapping and one end piling up binding one of the sprockets, but most likely jumped time.
Good luck.

[taizer]

If it jumped time you are guaranteed to have bent valves. So just retiming it’s won’t fix it. Don’t kid yourself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

well it would save the time of pulling the head off though and good way to diagnose which valves are leaking

[taizer]

Sounds like you will be able to wrench, which is good.

Suggest you read the plethora of thread related to the timing chain tensioner and related repairs. It's well discussed here.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Audizine mobile app

yeah I have been searching alot. I work as a tech and fabricator and own many racecars and racebikes. So I know a little bit but also know german cars like making simple stuff more complicated for no apparent reason other than being different

Hello,

The first thing I would do is scan your vehicle for any faults. If you see code P0016 Cam/Crank Correlation Fault, you will more then likely find your vehicle's timing is off. This is a very common issue because over time the timing chain stretches or the timing chain tensioner fails.

If you have access to a borescope, you can remove the spark plugs and utilize the tool to see if any of the valves are bent and check to see how much damage was done to the piston. Also, I would recommend checking the cylinder walls when you are in there. However, since you can not turn the engine over you will not be able to check all 4 cylinders. Also, you can not performed a compression test or a leak down test because the engine wont turn over.

Specialty Tools For Timing Chain Replacement:

- CTA 1023 This includes the camshaft locks, cambridge socket, crankshaft washer, crankshaft counter holder, timing chain tensioner lever.
- Uview Cooling System Filler Vacuum fill your coolant system to check for leaks and eliminate time consuming bleeding/purging


If you want to replace the intake and exhaust valves you will need to source a tool that can do the repair.

If you have anymore questions feel free to message me!

yeah I think I'll skip the codes this is all mechanical and the covers are coming off either way but thankyou for the link to the proper tools

Completed my 2010 A4 timing, balance shaft chains, guides, and tensioners a couple years ago as a precautionary measure. Everything on my A4 was in decent shape except tc tensioner....it was on its last leg. From your posting, sounds like you will soon discover the culprit(s). Although rare, I have heard of tc snapping and one end piling up binding one of the sprockets, but most likely jumped time.
Good luck.

yeah I think it jumped more than a few teeth. If im lucky it just jumped and the starter didnt have enough tq to destroy everything

[Theiceman]

Solid advice here

Hello,

The first thing I would do is scan your vehicle for any faults. If you see code P0016 Cam/Crank Correlation Fault, you will more then likely find your vehicle's timing is off. This is a very common issue because over time the timing chain stretches or the timing chain tensioner fails.

If you have access to a borescope, you can remove the spark plugs and utilize the tool to see if any of the valves are bent and check to see how much damage was done to the piston. Also, I would recommend checking the cylinder walls when you are in there. However, since you can not turn the engine over you will not be able to check all 4 cylinders. Also, you can not performed a compression test or a leak down test because the engine wont turn over.

Specialty Tools For Timing Chain Replacement:

- CTA 1023 This includes the camshaft locks, cambridge socket, crankshaft washer, crankshaft counter holder, timing chain tensioner lever.
- Uview Cooling System Filler Vacuum fill your coolant system to check for leaks and eliminate time consuming bleeding/purging


If you want to replace the intake and exhaust valves you will need to source a tool that can do the repair.

If you have anymore questions feel free to message me!

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine mobile app

[Theiceman]

Sorry but just not true. Although chances are admittedly slim. There are definitely cases of skipped timing not bendping valves.

If it jumped time you are guaranteed to have bent valves. So just retiming it’s won’t fix it. Don’t kid yourself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine mobile app