Timing Chain Tensioner Failure

[rennsport]

I know this has been discussed numerous times. My question is has anyone been able to convince AOA to cover this issue out of the normal warranty period? Our '09 with 80K miles is sidelined with this issue and I fear a massive repair cost due to piston/valve impact. Being it's Saturday, I can't discuss it with the SA at our dealership till Monday(dark cloud looming ALL weekend). Appreciate any experiences that give us hope.

[ParadigmTony]

I highly doubt you're getting help from AOA on this. If you have a good relationship with your Dealer you may get some assistance, but not coverage. I was able to get my Tensioner, chain, and water pump repaired during oil consumption repair for free. I did have to pay for parts but 700 isn't a bad bill compared to the normal labor involved which is like a 2k job. With catastrophic failure that repair will likely be substantially more, i feel for you sir. Best of luck in your pursuit.

[SDF1]

Did you do an oil consumption test?
If it false stage 2. Sometimes they change the chain and tensionner free of charge (If they can cover it under CPO or some other kind of warranty) if not they'd just charge you parts and minimum labor charges.

[kaz02a4]

Did you do an oil consumption test?
If it false stage 2. Sometimes they change the chain and tensionner free of charge (If they can cover it under CPO or some other kind of warranty) if not they'd just charge you parts and minimum labor charges.

Even if he had already done a stage 2 oil consumption test, it would be a moot point. The engine already had a tensioner fail, so it's not like they can do a consumption test anyway.

OP, how do you know that the tensioner gave out?

[rennsport]

Did you do an oil consumption test?
If it false stage 2. Sometimes they change the chain and tensionner free of charge (If they can cover it under CPO or some other kind of warranty) if not they'd just charge you parts and minimum labor charges.

Already had the piston rings done under warranty. Still consuming some oil, just not as much.


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[rennsport]

Even if he had already done a stage 2 oil consumption test, it would be a moot point. The engine already had a tensioner fail, so it's not like they can do a consumption test anyway.

OP, how do you know that the tensioner gave out?

GF got stranded when it happened so she had it towed to a local INDY shop. They diagnosed it. I had her tell them to wait before proceeding any further.


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[STA4]

Sorry to hear. These failures are starting to scare me. Were there any symptoms like rattling?

[kaz02a4]

Sorry to hear. These failures are starting to scare me. Where there any symptoms like rattling?

Same here. OP, did your gf hear anything?

[rennsport]

Sorry to hear. These failures are starting to scare me. Were there any symptoms like rattling?

Same here. OP, did your gf hear anything?

She only noticed something was wrong when it started running rough. By then the chain had skipped.

I'd like to say more but I can't at this time.

I will say that anyone approaching 70K miles on the original tensioner best have it changed. From what I've read, that's about when they start fail.


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[oldred]

What bothers me about this is......... They know about this and won't fix it. They even lie and say it an unservicable part.....

[Project Quattro]

^ Yet they do it free, without even mentioning it, pretty regularly with the stage 2 oil consumption repairs. These are becoming more and more common lately... If the bill comes back high enough and they won't help there may need to be another class action suit.


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[bluetori]

Yeah there are several techs on here that even say it was supposed to be fixed whilst under stg 2 mine however did not say it was done. I have over 110k on the avant however I will just replace the engine if this happens because I'm out of warranty and do not feel like paying diagnostic fees that total a used engine.

[richardm0025]

We need a DIY, anyone!?


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[kaz02a4]

Where was the guy who mentioned bringing a class action suit when he had is tensioner fail? He posted on the forum pretty recently...

[ParadigmTony]

The real problem here is even if you're proactive enough to have the timing service done, the labor alone makes the job absurd. Most would, or should just trade their car in at that point. Theres really no help in sight. I also don't expect a future bulletin/recall to come out for a while in light of the TDI nonsense lol.

[kaz02a4]

The real problem here is even if you're proactive enough to have the timing service done, the labor alone makes the job absurd. Most would, or should just trade their car in at that point. Theres really no help in sight. I also don't expect a future bulletin/recall to come out for a while in light of the TDI nonsense lol.

That means a trade-in around 100k miles. What a shame. These cars should be built to run for 200, 300, 400k miles nowadays. You're right though, we won't get anything out of AoA in terms of a recall/class action with the diesel scandal still in full swing.

[blbroo]

The real problem here is even if you're proactive enough to have the timing service done, the labor alone makes the job absurd. Most would, or should just trade their car in at that point. Theres really no help in sight. I also don't expect a future bulletin/recall to come out for a while in light of the TDI nonsense lol.

What do you think this cost is? $1200?

I might get get mine done soon, seeing how a few of these failures have been posted recently. Would we need a full timing chain service or just the tensioner?

[b6Hate4]

What do you think this cost is? $1200?

I might get get mine done soon, seeing how a few of these failures have been posted recently. Would we need a full timing chain service or just the tensioner?

Local VW speed shop estimated $1k. The only person who would trade in the car over that is someone who was planning to move on anyway. That's less than a fresh set of high quality tires.

[blbroo]

Local VW speed shop estimated $1k. The only person who would trade in the car over that is someone who was planning to move on anyway. That's less than a fresh set of high quality tires.

Agree with that Zach.

[b6Hate4]

Agree with that Zach.

I am a frequent high ticket customer of the shop though, given him a lot of business in parts purchased when they were just starting out (their also a retailer for Integrated engineering/ 034/ wheel companies ect) so he gives me pretty good deals. He threw in a stage 2 drag clutch and an rs4 flywheel into my b6 for $400 labor so my prices may be skewed.

Regardless its nothing to trade in your car over. And lets be realistic that's all you would do, you cant sell it privately as a ticking time bomb, in which one has also probably neglected other maintenance.

like my old man told me: where there is smoke, there is probably a fire.

[Quattro_NOR]

Which engines and which years have this problem? My 2010 1.8 tfsi had the oil consumption fix by PO. But did not fix this problem :(

[b6Hate4]

Which engines and which years have this problem? My 2010 1.8 tfsi had the oil consumption fix by PO. But did not fix this problem :(

It is not as documented as a problem as the oil consumption. What has happened is Audi has released a revised part for the tensioner so everyone thinks the sky is falling with their original one. The revision was to make the move from be activated by oil pressure to being activated by its own internal parts, and not have to rely on oil pressure.

2010 is one of the model years affected by this. I believe it would be 2009 to 2012.

[blbroo]

I am a frequent high ticket customer of the shop though, given him a lot of business in parts purchased when they were just starting out (their also a retailer for Integrated engineering/ 034/ wheel companies ect) so he gives me pretty good deals. He threw in a stage 2 drag clutch and an rs4 flywheel into my b6 for $400 labor so my prices may be skewed.

Regardless its nothing to trade in your car over. And lets be realistic that's all you would do, you cant sell it privately as a ticking time bomb, in which one has also probably neglected other maintenance.

like my old man told me: where there is smoke, there is probably a fire.

I would even have a hard time trading in a car with issues and not being upfront about it. Hopefully I can sell my car someday though to a young AZer who will be excited to use "blbroo's old car" as their signature because it still runs great.

[b6Hate4]

I would even have a hard time trading in a car with issues and not being upfront about it. Hopefully I can sell my car someday though to a young AZer who will be excited to use "blbroo's old car" as their signature because it still runs great.

I bought my car off an AZ'er simply by how well he was known, and how well every one of his damn build threads goes. Just immaculate work. It really is worth more than anything when it comes to resale time. Even is someone is not a member, just send them time and date stamped posts proving the mods and that the car was well looked after.

[kaz02a4]

It is not as documented as a problem as the oil consumption. What has happened is Audi has released a revised part for the tensioner so everyone thinks the sky is falling with their original one. The revision was to make the move from be activated by oil pressure to being activated by its own internal parts, and not have to rely on oil pressure.

2010 is one of the model years affected by this. I believe it would be 2009 to 2012.

From my understanding, the old-style tensioner has nothing to do with the consumption from a failure standpoint. What I mean is, if you consume oil, and the level drops, it won't affect the "performance" of the tensioner, because there still should be plenty of oil in the system for it to hold pressure. I believe it has more to do with how many cold starts (i.e. where there's little pressure in the system, like after the car sits for a long time) the car goes through where the tensioner can go slack.

No, the sky isn't falling. But for something like this to crop up, usually without warning, and give an owner a $5,000-$10,000 headache, the sky might as well be falling. I've yet to hear of a new tensioner failing, but have seen a number of people have an old style tensioner fail. Maybe I'm jaded because I just dropped a couple grand on a new clutch, but seeing dollar signs like that sucks.

[b6Hate4]

From my understanding, the old-style tensioner has nothing to do with the consumption from a failure standpoint. What I mean is, if you consume oil, and the level drops, it won't affect the "performance" of the tensioner, because there still should be plenty of oil in the system for it to hold pressure. I believe it has more to do with how many cold starts (i.e. where there's little pressure in the system, like after the car sits for a long time) the car goes through where the tensioner can go slack..

I was not, in any way insinuating that oil consumption led to low pressure at the tensioner.

At all.

And yes oil pressure drops when the car is parked for a few days.


Sent from toilet stall #4

[ParadigmTony]

What do you think this cost is? $1200?

I might get get mine done soon, seeing how a few of these failures have been posted recently. Would we need a full timing chain service or just the tensioner?

I got quoted 1600 with parts. On a 70k car, most would move on Id think. Unless you just picked it up. If you're doing the tensioner, replace the chain, etc. Actually I think thats the only way Audi will even do the tensioner. Guides, chain, tensioner all replaced.

[ParadigmTony]

Moral of the Story: You got 70k on the Clock, you happen to have an 09-12 2.0t, and you wanna drive it for a gaggle of more miles. Get the tensioner done. Its 1500 now or 5k later, because its going to go, whether in your possession or someone else. My dealer has had 7 b8's come in with catastrophic failure.. Thats pretty remarkable. Cold weather, high miles, and a shitty oem design apparently leads to disaster. I was lucky at 1/3 the cost, but peace of mind is worth twice as much. True, I suspect mainenance and care will take the old tensioner quite a ways. For what its worth the OE water pump on these cars is suspect as well. Had mine replace during bottom end replacement. Should have seen that thing..

**Edit: I think the only thing on my car I haven't replaced yet is the head. Thats this winter. Yay!! My first Audi....

[sadj2885]

I know this has been discussed numerous times. My question is has anyone been able to convince AOA to cover this issue out of the normal warranty period? Our '09 with 80K miles is sidelined with this issue and I fear a massive repair cost due to piston/valve impact. Being it's Saturday, I can't discuss it with the SA at our dealership till Monday(dark cloud looming ALL weekend). Appreciate any experiences that give us hope.

AOA covered mine when the tensioner failed at 78k miles. Call them up and open a case. It took about 2 weeks for them to agree to cover it but it was worth the wait. They asked me for all my service records, so hopefully you held onto those. I think I had about 30 pages worth of oil changes, oil consumption repair, turbo replacement, etc.

Seems like every week someone else has had it fail lately, all around 70-80k miles. Does anyone know if the new tensioner will outlast the old one or should I get it replaced at 140k? Thats if i keep the car.

[rennsport]

Thanks to everyone that replied who has had this fail. Got the car to the dealer yesterday....should know specifics this week.

I'll update the thread as we progress.


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[kaz02a4]

I was not, in any way insinuating that oil consumption led to low pressure at the tensioner.

At all.

And yes oil pressure drops when the car is parked for a few days.


Sent from toilet stall #4

Right, I never said you did. I was more talking out loud to see if my ideas made sense. Seems like they did

Tony broke it down the right way. If there are maintenance records of the car showing that everything is up-to-date, and there is still a failure, AoA should cover it within 100k miles. No excuse for these kinds of things. Damn, the more I dig, the more I miss the 2.0T from my B7...

[bluetori]

Thanks to everyone that replied who has had this fail. Got the car to the dealer yesterday....should know specifics this week.

I'll update the thread as we progress.


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Good keep us informed hope everything works out for you.

[Darksol80]

Recently had my chain, tensioner and guides replaced by a local Audi dealer under warranty. My car would miss on very humid days right off of idle but then run seemingly fine. My car had 114000 on it. My service writer at Bommarito Audi (Michelle) said it becoming very common on the 2.0T's. In fact she said the oil consumption fix (yank the head off and replace the rings), water pump, and timing chain are the Big 3 for these cars. So far, mine has had only 2. Mine was fixed under a aftermarket warranty. It more than paid for itself. Owning a German car without one is like Russian Roulette. And I am no longer covered. EEEKKK!

[blbroo]

Recently had my chain, tensioner and guides replaced by a local Audi dealer under warranty. My car would miss on very humid days right off of idle but then run seemingly fine. My car had 114000 on it. My service writer at Bommarito Audi (Michelle) said it becoming very common on the 2.0T's. In fact she said the oil consumption fix (yank the head off and replace the rings), water pump, and timing chain are the Big 3 for these cars. So far, mine has had only 2. Mine was fixed under a aftermarket warranty. It more than paid for itself. Owning a German car without one is like Russian Roulette. And I am no longer covered. EEEKKK!

Bommarito? That means you are near St Louis. Do you mind saying what you paid there?

[Shimmy]

Recently had my chain, tensioner and guides replaced by a local Audi dealer under warranty. My car would miss on very humid days right off of idle but then run seemingly fine. My car had 114000 on it. My service writer at Bommarito Audi (Michelle) said it becoming very common on the 2.0T's. In fact she said the oil consumption fix (yank the head off and replace the rings), water pump, and timing chain are the Big 3 for these cars. So far, mine has had only 2. Mine was fixed under a aftermarket warranty. It more than paid for itself. Owning a German car without one is like Russian Roulette. And I am no longer covered. EEEKKK!

what aftermarket warrsnty do you have? I honestly thought at 114k miles that would be considered a wear and tear item.

[blbroo]

what aftermarket warrsnty do you have? I honestly thought at 114k miles that would be considered a wear and tear item.

And, I think he has a tune. Sounds like I need to use that dealer for my tensioner.

[englishbay]

I got quoted 1600 with parts.

I thought we had a few threads on this earlier. The dealers here are saying that the engine has to be taken out with a bill of $6k+ It would be great to see what is really involved with replacing the chain. Im at 137k miles and don't have any symptoms but am worried about any damage caused by a failed chain. I have already considered getting another car, but it would be too costly for me. If the engine does have to come out, I am making a list of other things to get done at the same time like pistons and rods. The timing chain and tensioner kit on ECS Tuning is $622 alone.

[jfo]

I thought we had a few threads on this earlier. The dealers here are saying that the engine has to be taken out with a bill of $6k+ It would be great to see what is really involved with replacing the chain. Im at 137k miles and don't have any symptoms but am worried about any damage caused by a failed chain. I have already considered getting another car, but it would be too costly for me. If the engine does have to come out, I am making a list of other things to get done at the same time like pistons and rods. The timing chain and tensioner kit on ECS Tuning is $622 alone.

It would seem that all you need is access to the chain covers on the front of the block. Worst case would be the bumper, rad, etc which isn't too bad.

Edit; Check this out...

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ensioner-Study

[rennsport]

Update on our Avant, sorry it's been awhile.

Dealer confirmed it was the tensioner. An AOA rep was in the dealership shortly after they confirmed the problem. The rep approved AOA to pay 20 percent and the dealer to pay 10 percent of the repair costs. Leaves us with approximately $4000 in repairs.

Ask the dealer to ask AOA to pay more. Waiting to hear back. Thought we would let the dealer have a second try with AOA before we open a case.

Explained our position as (1) The tensioner is a "lifetime" part. Nowhere in the scheduled maintenance is this part to be checked or replaced. (2) Because of this, there is no way an owner could prevent this from happening. (3) AOA knows it is a problem. The part has been revised 3-4? times. Basically redesigned. (4) Owner enthusiasts have labeled it a "ticking time bomb".

I also referenced the brand reputation and forthrightness with the diesel scandal. This tensioner issue is an obvious issue that most owners are not aware of, but AOA is.


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[bakedziti]

This thread, and the below thread sound very similar. Thank God I had my timing done when I was in for Stage II of the oil consumption.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...9-Dead-2011-A4