2.0 TFSI Timing Chain and Tensioner Study.

[wkhanna]

so we finally got The Wife's A4 back after the timing chain failure at 72k miles......

it was a five week ordeal, a ton of hassle, & i even had to open the AoA claim myself, then constant negotiation & never getting a solid answer regarding amount of coverage or cost.
this past friday, i went to the dealer & had a long (45 minutes) conversation with the service manager.....

long story short, they initially offered 50% coverage.
while i was there, i had him call the district AoA rep with me in the room & got 75% coverage by audi along with paring down non-covered charges for some odds & ends.

final bill.... $1245.28

after reading up on everyone else's experience, i would say this is one of the better outcomes i have seen so far....
then again, it only had 72k, & we are two-audi family in the eyes of the dealer....

i really do not see any reason to complain, other than they are still dragging feet to admit there is a design issue.
should it end with them offering a recall, we would then get reimbursed for the $1245.28.

the dealer is Audi Pittsburgh, one of three in the area.
i have to say, would not advise against doing business with them, just make sure to conduct your due diligence ahead of time.

[Nczcar01]

Bill, Sounds like you persevered through all this and reached a more than reasonable settlement. Nice job.
Did they tell you what initially failed...tc tensioner or guides?

Part cost for my recent proactive repair with no head work (chains, tensioners, seals, sealants, and bolts/fasteners) was around $600.

Paul

[wkhanna]

hi Paul,

sorry, just saw your reply....

was told it was due to timing chain stretch......
....though i had asked for the original parts to be returned to me, they said they had 'disposed' of them, mistakenly.....?
i would really liked to have been able to see & measure the chain, along with inspecting the tensioner & guides....

note on the service invoice said intake cam was 90 degrees out.....


but next i gotta figure out what i am gonna do about my 2011 A5 2.0t now that The Wife's A4 is fixed....?
i could just drive it as-is, with 53k on it right now...... if it does self-destruct it will not be my first rodeo...... but who wants to run around with the sword of Damocles dangling right next to your neck?

[Nczcar01]

Wow, that’s pretty far out. I’ll bet the tensioner was a culprit as well. Does it run any differently than prior to the repair?
I have read some low mileage Audi 2.0l owners replaced only the tensioner instead of guides, chains, and tensioners. Not sure what I would do with such low mileage. Tough decision.

[wkhanna]

the car runs the same, albeit with the slightest bit more mechanical drone until the new parts seat in.
otherwise, no difference.....did & still does run strong.
there was no warning at all prior to the failure according to The Wife, who was the only one in car at the time.........

as far as my 2011 A5 goes..... i currently have an injen intake, hfc & dp installed....
was just getting ready to go with an apr stage II.......

obviously, it would be insane to do so without replacing the tensioner, chain & guides....
not a job i do myself anymore, however..... sucks to get old ; )

so..... i will be getting some estimates from some local indy shops for a complete R&R of the valve train drive mechanicals.....

[kerklein2]

My shop has recommended I make an appointment ASAP to do this work. He advised that they recommend that anytime it's between 4.5 and 5 and they recommend not driving it at all above 5. I'm at 4.8

What are they measuring? Is this good advice for when do replace? They quoted $1300-$1800 depending on what all they need to replace.

EDIT: After a bunch of reading, I'm guessing this number is the number of degrees off actual timing is vs. specified as read by a VAGCOM? And that 4.8 is in fact pretty high and I should do the work?

[ajTonyCM]

I am looking to replace the timing chain, tensioner, and guides proactively on my 2011 Audi A3 with 84K miles (showing -4.81 with VAG-COM block 93). I am almost at that 25% engine reimbursement threshold with that lawsuit settlement, so don't wanna take chances if something happens.

I got multiple quotes ranging $1000 - $2000 from different German car shops in the area.

Two most interesting ones are:
$1291 for changing three guides, only upper chain and upper tensioner and the cover
$1200 (including $750 of labor) for six guides, upper and lower tensioners and chains, oil pump, the kit made by Febi.

Considering Febi, is it a decent aftermarket manufacturer?

Is it recommended to replace the oil pump, chain, and guides (lower chain) at the same time?

[salserin]

Did you get an answer ? I have a B8.5 and unsure if I should worry with the timing chain issue. I am at 190,000 kms.

[MNOWAK588]

I probably missed it. Looking for a parts list to get ordered.

2014 A4 Quattro S-Line P+
VIN - WAUFFAFL1EN014156
Vehicle has 136K Miles. All service(s) done at Audi (minus 135, which was done at VW) and I've kept all the svc records for it.

Thanks for the help/support/answers. If you need any further questions answered on my end, I'll do what I can.