'12 3.0L V6 Supercharged Timing Chain/Tensioners Maintenance Cost

[cyberdemon]

Late 2020 I bought my lady a 2012 Q7 and it's beginning to have this long, loud rattling noise on cold start. Lasts about 2-3 seconds and it definitely sounds like the tensioners. I've heard horror stories about people being quoted for timing chain/tensioner jobs that cost more than the car's worth. I was curious if anyone here needed to do one on their Q7 and what the cost was? I know it depends on the shop and location, but I was just curious about a ballpark on what my wallet is about to endure.

Cheers folks

[Franksz]

I was quoted $8k from a shop near me in Greenville, SC. The car is a 2009 A6 Avant with the 3.0t. After doing a good bit of research I plan on doing the work myself (any input from experienced veterans would be greatly appreciated). The labor seems pretty intensive but I love the car and plan on keeping her for awhile.

[G60ING]

Less than 3 seconds is within Audi’s spec. Nathan mentions it in FCP euro’s 3.0T video.

https://youtu.be/TCH13WaTbW4



That said at some point in 100k miles, I’ve only got 57k miles but I have less than 1sec of rattle on rare occasions.

[cyberdemon]

I was quoted $8k from a shop near me in Greenville, SC. The car is a 2009 A6 Avant with the 3.0t. After doing a good bit of research I plan on doing the work myself (any input from experienced veterans would be greatly appreciated). The labor seems pretty intensive but I love the car and plan on keeping her for awhile.

I got a quote back from a shop that specializes in German auto for $4500. Sounds like the best I'll get. I spoke to the owner of the shop (he's personally done a few Q7 timing chain jobs before) and I had mentioned how some owners end up doing it themselves; he said that it needs to be done very carefully because it's not a job you'd want to do twice. Most shops have high quotes because they end up taking the whole engine out, whereas this shop keeps the engine in but takes the transmission out to access the back of the engine. Both methods are a huge pain in the ass, but I'm going to assume that you plan on taking the whole engine out.

[cyberdemon]

Less than 3 seconds is within Audi’s spec. Nathan mentions it in FCP euro’s 3.0T video.

https://youtu.be/TCH13WaTbW4



That said at some point in 100k miles, I’ve only got 57k miles but I have less than 1sec of rattle on rare occasions.

Thanks for providing that video. It helped a lot. Mine may be pushing it—on good days, it's about 2-3 seconds but it's rattled for longer on several occasions. It definitely sounds like the upper driver's side chain guide. The car is way past the maintenance interval for the chains and tensioners. The car has about 143k and you're apparently supposed to change out the chains and guides after 100k miles or so.

[G60ING]

I’m not sure if the 100k is a hard and fast rule like with timing belts but I know with VR6s 120-170k miles is the range to listen for issues but people have regularly done well over 200-250k miles before doing chains. Lots of things come into play.

Being mindful of them and oil changes with quality oil is key.

[Franksz]

Honestly, after watching the above video from fcp I'm debating on just replacing the tensioners. In that case I may go the route of trying to leave the motor in the car.

[G60ING]

Honestly, after watching the above video from fcp I'm debating on just replacing the tensioners. In that case I may go the route of trying to leave the motor in the car.

Agreed it seems like step one in the youbhave a problem and do something about it play book.

I think there is loads of room in the Q7 bay with the 3.0T beats the heck out of the 3.6 VR6.

[arjun90]

Never let your oil go below minimum and never trust the electronic level sensor. Use the dipstick

[Franksz]

I never do, I bought the car 4 years ago with 133,000 miles on it. I change the oil every 4k miles with liqui molly 5w30. Not sure what the previous owners intervals were though. I see your avant has 145k miles. Have you had to replace your tensioners yet? Any chatter on cold starts?