Timing Chain Service Help for 2014 B8.5 6MT

[Pugnacious]

Hey ya'll

After a spirited drive last week my car started making knocking sounds at idle. Here's a video if you're curious:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/X6uemhA4DWzYXNh46

Mechanic diagnosed a faulty chain tensioner guide, as the ticking/knocking sound followed engine RPM and was coming from behind the driver's side cylinder bank. We put in some very viscous oil to boost oil pressure but the noise persisted. Crazy my car is at 53k miles and this is happening.

Wanting to know:

1. What is an estimated total cost and hours for this entire service? (looking for separate hours for engine out & hours for timing chain service)
2. For those that have done this...what is your recommended service product that you went with? OEM or aftermarket? Is there a TSB?
3. Is anyone interested in buying a 2014 6MT 53k miles, sport diff, black optics (rotors), magma interior, IE stage 1? hahaha . . . ahhh . . . *cries*

[djn876]

That does not sound great, although curious as to where the oil came from on top of your coolant reservoir? You sure that's not just a bad exhaust leak or anything?

Otherwise my guess would be north of 5k for parts and labor minimum. Probably more than that.

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[DarrenOman]

I thought i read that Audi charge $4 to $5k for the repairs, so an indy shop would be less. Work can be done with the engine in the car, so no need to remove.
Not researched enough to offer up any help with DIY. Good luck

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[blackfunk]

Indy shops in and around NYC charge dealer prices. I see absolutely no benefit in using them. Dealer gives a 12 month warranty on parts and will put you in a loaner for the duration of the work.

[onelowboi]

it’s an engine out job so minimum 13ish hours of labor in an out iirc. if you go indie or dealer i would use whatever they recommend you and to NOT bring your own parts. the reasoning is that if your part is faulty or didn’t fix the problem, they will most likely charge you more to fix it again since it was not their fault, at least that’s how the people i know run their shops. but as for the 3rd question, i am :)

[sbw]

I thought i read that Audi charge $4 to $5k for the repairs, so an indy shop would be less. Work can be done with the engine in the car, so no need to remove.
Not researched enough to offer up any help with DIY. Good luck

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The problem is a lot of dealers don’t approach this as an engine out job, which is what needs to be done to address all the components. I’ve been following the thread on AZ specifically on this and people have said the dealers were doing just the upper components to minimize labor and not have to pull the engine.

I had mine done by an independent shop along with a clutch and flywheel job so it didn’t burn so bad. It was around 5k for all the parts and labor but I also had some labor mixed in that was not part of the timing chain job. I will say though, the noise never came back and the components seemed worn after looking at them once they were removed.

[sivletho]

I replaced my own tensioner with a INA brand ran me 130 for driver side.
When I took the cover off I noticed the upper guide was broken my guess was that it was causing the noise I didn’t really notice a difference in pressure between old and new tensioner.
After tensioner and guide was replaced never heard any sort of chain noise! I love starting up my car now lol.
It took me about 8 hours it could of been done faster if I had all the tools vs working with what I have.


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[Pugnacious]

That does not sound great, although curious as to where the oil came from on top of your coolant reservoir? You sure that's not just a bad exhaust leak or anything?

Otherwise my guess would be north of 5k for parts and labor minimum. Probably more than that.

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Good eye on noticing the oil. I don't know if it's associated with the timing chain issues I have, but I have small, random oil droplets spread out through the right side of the engine bay, on the same cylinder bank with the timing issues. Almost positive it's not an exhaust leak though after taking it into the shop.

$4-5k seems to match up with what I've been quoted thus far.

[Pugnacious]

Indy shops in and around NYC charge dealer prices. I see absolutely no benefit in using them. Dealer gives a 12 month warranty on parts and will put you in a loaner for the duration of the work.

I agree, and I'm seeing the costs be about equivalent. Dealership will warranty service and will be about the same cost. Potentially less because they have done this service before and would take less hours to do it.

[Pugnacious]

it’s an engine out job so minimum 13ish hours of labor in an out iirc. if you go indie or dealer i would use whatever they recommend you and to NOT bring your own parts. the reasoning is that if your part is faulty or didn’t fix the problem, they will most likely charge you more to fix it again since it was not their fault, at least that’s how the people i know run their shops. but as for the 3rd question, i am :)

Yeah, for sure. I want the job warrantied because I cannot imagine having to deal with this problem again within the next year if parts break. I will be getting this fixed prior to selling it (unless you're interested in taking the car on a trailer for around $20k haha). Might end up selling it this spring after I buy a Miata RF, keep an eye out for it on the Facebook B8/B8.5 ownership page!

[tylerhays]

I have an B8.5 S5 - similar issues. My timing chain jumped time by 2 teeth causing misfire on all of bank two. Luckily, no internal engine damage. Had to get timing chains and guides replaced - they did replace both banks chains and tensioners since they were in there. The motor does not need to come out, but the transmission, drive shaft and entire exhaust system does.

All in all, $5800 out the door. Definitely a tough pill to swallow as I still have less than 55k miles. The luck of the draw, I suppose. If you would like, I could PM you my invoice for the job.

Best of luck, my friend! I completely understand your pain and empathize with you!


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[onelowboi]

I have an B8.5 S5 - similar issues. My timing chain jumped time by 2 teeth causing misfire on all of bank two. Luckily, no internal engine damage. Had to get timing chains and guides replaced - they did replace both banks chains and tensioners since they were in there. The motor does not need to come out, but the transmission, drive shaft and entire exhaust system does.

All in all, $5800 out the door. Definitely a tough pill to swallow as I still have less than 55k miles. The luck of the draw, I suppose. If you would like, I could PM you my invoice for the job.

Best of luck, my friend! I completely understand your pain and empathize with you!


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how did they do the replacement without removing the motor? that's some god tier stuff right there. it looks like there's no space to do it!

[tylerhays]

how did they do the replacement without removing the motor? that's some god tier stuff right there. it looks like there's no space to do it!

Once the transmission, downpipes and cats are removed, there is actually a lot of room. They had it up on a lift and even took me under the car to show me everything that was going on. Here is a shot from under the car with timing covers off and engine still in the vehicle.
F0E7E1F1-215A-4337-A4C8-7B8FD6ECEF6D.jpg


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[onelowboi]

[QUOTE=tylerhays;14337254]Once the transmission, downpipes and cats are removed, there is actually a lot of room. They had it up on a lift and even took me under the car to show me everything that was going on. Here is a shot from under the car with timing covers off and engine still in the vehicle.
F0E7E1F1-215A-4337-A4C8-7B8FD6ECEF6D.jpg

that’s quite amazing, thanks for sharing! most definitely cuts costs down from an engine out perspective

[tylerhays]

[QUOTE=onelowboi;14337530]

Once the transmission, downpipes and cats are removed, there is actually a lot of room. They had it up on a lift and even took me under the car to show me everything that was going on. Here is a shot from under the car with timing covers off and engine still in the vehicle.
F0E7E1F1-215A-4337-A4C8-7B8FD6ECEF6D.jpg

that’s quite amazing, thanks for sharing! most definitely cuts costs down from an engine out perspective

Absolutely! If my misfortune can help benefit others, it soothe the sting just a bit.

Engine out would have definitely driven up the cost. The master tech (Indy shop) that worked on mine said that Audi actually recommends doing it this way. Although it does make me curious, because if the engine came out, trans would still have to be disconnected along with the exhaust system. I suppose it’s just easier to remove cats, tranny and drive train, as opposed to removing the entire engine and all attached components.


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[Pugnacious]

I have an B8.5 S5 - similar issues. My timing chain jumped time by 2 teeth causing misfire on all of bank two. Luckily, no internal engine damage. Had to get timing chains and guides replaced - they did replace both banks chains and tensioners since they were in there. The motor does not need to come out, but the transmission, drive shaft and entire exhaust system does.

All in all, $5800 out the door. Definitely a tough pill to swallow as I still have less than 55k miles. The luck of the draw, I suppose. If you would like, I could PM you my invoice for the job.

Best of luck, my friend! I completely understand your pain and empathize with you!


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Yeah, it's crazy to me to need this done at such low miles. Mechanic will be doing diagnostics tomorrow to confirm the problem before putting it under the knife. How hard did you drive your car before this issue? Is it tuned?

I've read conflicting information on removing the engine or not for this. Is yours a DSG? I've heard the 6MTs don't have enough clearance to do the job without removing the engine.

[onelowboi]

Yeah, it's crazy to me to need this done at such low miles. Mechanic will be doing diagnostics tomorrow to confirm the problem before putting it under the knife. How hard did you drive your car before this issue? Is it tuned?

I've read conflicting information on removing the engine or not for this. Is yours a DSG? I've heard the 6MTs don't have enough clearance to do the job without removing the engine.

Checked, tyler is DSG

[tylerhays]

Yeah, it's crazy to me to need this done at such low miles. Mechanic will be doing diagnostics tomorrow to confirm the problem before putting it under the knife. How hard did you drive your car before this issue? Is it tuned?

I've read conflicting information on removing the engine or not for this. Is yours a DSG? I've heard the 6MTs don't have enough clearance to do the job without removing the engine.

I didn’t drive hard at all, to be honest. Some lightly spirited driving here and there, but no track days or excessive launches, etc.

Ah, could very well be the case regarding work room with MT. I am DSG.


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[scattamacroffit]

My 2013 with 60k is currently in for this same issue at indie shop. Also after a rare spirited drive. Was just going to do the upper tensioner, but there was a broken guide which he could not find without going to the lower cover. Engine is currently out and all chains and guides being replaced.
I was told there was a TSB from Audi and a better replacement part was produced. $5k plus.20201021_153952.jpg

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