Suggestions for timing chain "maintenance" on 2015 A6 2.0L?

[tommypk]

I had to replace the head on my 2015 A6 2.0l due to a timing chain (or tensioner) failure. Car had impeccable maintenance with under 71K miles and there were no warning signs. The owners manual does not suggest any maintenance for the timing chain, my request for goodwill was denied. All in all disappointing both in the engine failure and Audi's response. Any and all suggestions for timing chain maintenance would be appreciated. I've heard of a test that can indicate chain stretch and or tensioner extension, are there tech sheets or how to's on this? Thanks.

[Botbasher]

I had to replace the head on my 2015 A6 2.0l due to a timing chain (or tensioner) failure. Car had impeccable maintenance with under 71K miles and there were no warning signs. The owners manual does not suggest any maintenance for the timing chain, my request for goodwill was denied. All in all disappointing both in the engine failure and Audi's response. Any and all suggestions for timing chain maintenance would be appreciated. I've heard of a test that can indicate chain stretch and or tensioner extension, are there tech sheets or how to's on this? Thanks.

71k for a tensioner failure is a little odd but not unheard of. Even the old CAEB tensioners usually lasted into the 70-80s before giving up the ghost.

Typically chains are good into the low 100s... but you can inspect the tensioner extension through the port on the lower timing chain cover. It's a bear to get to without the car in service mode and it's not reuseable (you have to pry it out) so you'd need a spare... but they can be inspected at what ever interval you decide to.

Audi often specs the chains into the 120k mile region. Ive done several 2.0 rebuilds now and have a mixed tally on the results. One at 93k was maxed out but still running fine. 2 at over 110k were about mid-extension. One at 100k was blown and skipped resulting in valve hits. 16 new valves (and a lot of supporting bits) and it still lives to this day.

I think you might have just caught some poor luck as the 2.0t's have had a pretty descent record on chain issues since the days of CAEB! They have had other issues... but not involving the chains and tensioners that I have heard about.

As always, YMMV.

Cheers,

KS

[tommypk]

Thanks for the info KS. Am I the only one who wonders why Audi doesn't include a timing chain and tensioner check in the owners manual maintenance schedule?

[Valpo A7]

Chains are meant to last a very long time. On my 2012 A7 3.0 I did not have to do the chains until about 204k miles, others have gone longer with out work as well. Timing belts seem to the only timing item with a mileage shelf life. I probably could have gotten away with only changing the upper cam tensioners but at the same time I am glad I did the whole job. There was several iterations of piss poor upper tensioner designs out there. The 2.0 was plagued with some badly designed tensioners as well. The 2.0 had issues with piston rings as well.

[Botbasher]

Chains are meant to last a very long time. On my 2012 A7 3.0 I did not have to do the chains until about 204k miles, others have gone longer with out work as well. Timing belts seem to the only timing item with a mileage shelf life. I probably could have gotten away with only changing the upper cam tensioners but at the same time I am glad I did the whole job. There was several iterations of piss poor upper tensioner designs out there. The 2.0 was plagued with some badly designed tensioners as well. The 2.0 had issues with piston rings as well.

Most of the lower tensioner issues were done by the end of the CAEB lineage i.e. 2010-2013ish. We (CAEB Owners) would look to swap in later whole motors (CPMA...), not only for the ring issues but for known faults with tensioners.

I'll look for my pics of the little known "update" that VAG did to their timing chains about the end of the CAEB. They went from a I.I.I.I.I configuration to a II..II..II profile (looking at end of links). The side by side is known to stretch WAY more than the two by two version. I bought several kits and even went through the dealers stock to determine which was the latest and installed that one on my built 2.0.

Chains are "meant" to last a long time... but I've known some chains to last nearly 200k... others are done at 100k. I figure, by the time I hit 100k I start looking and by 120ish I'm ready to do it, simply for piece of mind. 200k is a ticking time bomb in my head.

It's not even the chains that are the issue. It's the tensioners. A lot of their longevity is based on construction and oil quality!!

YMMV

Cheers,

KS

[Botbasher]

And the first pic I pulled shows them perfectly!!!

This is a new and old style on the same motor. No one ever replaces the oil pump chain so it's still old style on this motor. No issues with stretching, so we just reuse it.

314271

You can see the newer style behind it though. Very different.

Now if you go to web sites and see what kit they are supplying, you'll be surprised just how many old kits are still for sale. Also copper (over black) timing links are supposed to denote new/old, but that isn't 100% as I have found.

Caveat Emptor!!

Cheers!

KS

p.s. and as I type this, my son just bought an 09 A3 2.0tfsi, so I'm sourcing all the same parts, yet again, for another refresh... #5! Cheers!

[Botbasher]

Am I the only one who wonders why Audi doesn't include a timing chain and tensioner check in the owners manual maintenance schedule?
Not the only one, but as Valpo touched on, they are considered "lifetime" parts so there is no reason to scare buyers with a future service that nears 1/4 of the cars value by putting it in print.

You also have to access parts of the motor not deemed "user serviceable". The Recommended Maintenance Schedule wants you to service/check parts that are easily accessible

https://pictures.dealer.com/morongfalmouthaudiaoa/fe7fc3c10a0e0ca3664f2f8f9061fc57.pdf

Nothing on that list requires you to put the car into service position. They are all simple check/drain/fill/leak kind of services (except for the TTS).

Now any car guy kinda owner knows better... but we're not who typically buys these cars. The 80/20 rule fully applies here!

Cheers,

KS