Timing Chain kit recommendations

[shiz222]

Hey all, had my car in for some warranty work and the dealer service advisor mentioned that my timing chain will need replacement quite shortly. I was told that its on the 6th tooth out of 11.

The car is a 2015 allroad. So im wondering:

1. Exactly how urgent is his recommendation? I've seen forum posts mentioning all the way up to about the 8th tooth. Other's mentioning 6-7th being quite urgent. So i haven't found a general consensus or recommendation.

2. What is the consensus on a reliable kit for this. I will likely have a reliable (non-audi) shop do the work.

thank you

[old guy]

First you need a little more clarification from the dealer. Was the spring clip in the 6th notch or were there 6 notches visible outside of the tensioner body? Spring clip in the 6th notch is fine. Six exposed notches would put the spring clip in the 8th or 9th notch.

Did the dealer record the cam phase adaptation? That would help determine whether it was the spring clip in the 6th notch or if it was 6 exposed notches.

[Theiceman]

yeah a pic is worth a thousand words in this case if you have it. I have heard that audi reads it differently then we do here, neither are wrong, itd just a frame of reference thing, old guy is right on the money, if 6 teeth are past the end of the body Audi is right, if its clipped on 6th tooth its fine,

so you need 2 things.
1. a pic of the tensioner extension so we can see
2. a VCDS reading of the intake bank cam adaption, with this we can advise.

i would say if your not sure what kit to get , let your mechanic get it. he will be warrantying the work and if you get the kit yourself he will likely provide zero warranty.

[shiz222]

Hello again. Had a chance to speak to the dealer and he was saying that it was 6th tooth on the tensioner body that was visible.

The cam phase adaptation was not recorded.

I'm not sure if that's sufficient information but I can potentially grab some photos myself depending on complexity.

I have access to an OBD 11 would that give me the cam phase adaptation?

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[smatch]

Hello again. Had a chance to speak to the dealer and he was saying that it was 6th tooth on the tensioner body that was visible.

The cam phase adaptation was not recorded.

I'm not sure if that's sufficient information but I can potentially grab some photos myself depending on complexity.

I have access to an OBD 11 would that give me the cam phase adaptation?

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well, via VCDS I usually check the position of the camshaft, and see and compare all the angles of all camshafts.

In the ignition, with the car on, you can check the values in real time and send a video here.

[old guy]

Hello again. Had a chance to speak to the dealer and he was saying that it was 6th tooth on the tensioner body that was visible.

The cam phase adaptation was not recorded.

I'm not sure if that's sufficient information but I can potentially grab some photos myself depending on complexity.

I have access to an OBD 11 would that give me the cam phase adaptation?

Six visible grooves outside of the tensioner body indicates that the spring clip is in the 9th or 10th groove. There are 11 adjustment grooves. Time for replacement.

[Theiceman]

Six visible grooves outside of the tensioner body indicates that the spring clip is in the 9th or 10th groove. There are 11 adjustment grooves. Time for replacement.

I'm still not convinced, 6 grooves are visible, but that does not mean 6 grooves past the end of the body.
I vote for get a pic of the tensioner... Or its all just guesses.

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[marcomarco]

My updated tensioner was found to be extended on the ninth notch at the base of the housing ...the spring clip on the final eleventh notch...how it was still in time on the old style chain is still a mystery to me. The chain was stretched easily 4.0mm compared to the used original.

To answer your question I ordered my timing kit from Wolfsburg tuning based out of Florida. Updated chains, sprocket, all guides (oil pump included) ...for crying out loud they even sent me two cam chain tensioners...one febi/Bilstein and another that looks OEM...???...tf? Not complaining all for under $400 delivered to Canada. Just had to wait a week and a half for delivery.

[shiz222]

My updated tensioner was found to be extended on the ninth notch at the base of the housing ...the spring clip on the final eleventh notch...how it was still in time on the old style chain is still a mystery to me. The chain was stretched easily 4.0mm compared to the used original.

To answer your question I ordered my timing kit from Wolfsburg tuning based out of Florida. Updated chains, sprocket, all guides (oil pump included) ...for crying out loud they even sent me two cam chain tensioners...one febi/Bilstein and another that looks OEM...???...tf? Not complaining all for under $400 delivered to Canada. Just had to wait a week and a half for delivery.

Got a link for me by chance?

Where are you in Canada? I'm in MB

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[shiz222]

I'm still not convinced, 6 grooves are visible, but that does not mean 6 grooves past the end of the body.
I vote for get a pic of the tensioner... Or its all just guesses.

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I'm going to search the forum (on mobile atm) but is there a guide how to do this? Do I have to take half the car apart like you have to when changing the chain?

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[silver_tt]

I would just go ahead and replace it. Skip aftermarket and do the entire timing case (guides, tensioners, balance shaft chain etc). Once you're in there it doesn't make sense to do anything but throw the kitchen sink at it. Don't re-use the lower metal timing cover. Just buy the parts from a place like audiusaparts.com, it's the same cost or little more than aftermarket and you get what you pay for. I have posted the part list several times here to help folks with timing chain and oil consumption rebuilds.

[Theiceman]

I'm going to search the forum (on mobile atm) but is there a guide how to do this? Do I have to take half the car apart like you have to when changing the chain?

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no its easy to pop the cover and get a pic ... about 10 minutes once you are under the car..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G65J1aEszyc

snap a pick with your phone.

- - - Updated - - -

I'm going to search the forum (on mobile atm) but is there a guide how to do this? Do I have to take half the car apart like you have to when changing the chain?

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

no its easy to pop the cover and get a pic ... about 10 minutes once you are under the car..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G65J1aEszyc

snap a pick with your phone.

[marcomarco]

Got a link for me by chance?

Where are you in Canada? I'm in MB

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I'm in Ontario and found these guys on ebay...but this is their website: https://www.wolfsburgtuning.com

They will ask for your vin for exact fitting parts. Maybe if you decide to go this route get in touch with them (not through eBay) like I did.

Updated chain has links doubled up rather than staggered.

[shiz222]

I am having a terrible time finding someone to do the work. Seems like everyone is apprehensive to get involved or passing the buck to someone else.
I understand it's labor intensive but are there other concerns that would prevent a shop from doing the work?

Also I'm being told by some shops that this is not necessary as it is a lifetime item? I guess this is why we're having a class action suit?

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[Theiceman]

I am having a terrible time finding someone to do the work. Seems like everyone is apprehensive to get involved or passing the buck to someone else.
I understand it's labor intensive but are there other concerns that would prevent a shop from doing the work?

Also I'm being told by some shops that this is not necessary as it is a lifetime item? I guess this is why we're having a class action suit?

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The shops you are going to don't know Audi.

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[silver_tt]

Get someone that knows Porsche, VW, or Audi and they should be able to do the job no problem. It's a 9 hour job by the book, a good indy can do it in about half that.

I would not buy anything for my car off of eBay.

[marcomarco]

I've done many timing chains for different manufacturers over the years and the A4 is BY FAR the easiest.

It's fine to buy parts online if you know what you're looking for.

[Theiceman]

Many shops should be able to do this. It is not for a rookie DIY guy by any means, but a VAG shop should not turn this work away.
I would consider it a 5/10 Wrenches on the iceman difficulty scale.
Where engine rebuild is 10 and. Changing plugs a 1
Yes changing your oil is a .5 on this car as the filter is literally staring right at you. Lol.

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