Should i replace timing chain?

[nycaudi]

I ordered the parts but after looking at some paperwork i wonder if i even need it. Ive placed about 45k on engine after the new one was installed. Please take a look at the following pic and tell me what you think

https://flic.kr/p/JZ9ppe

[nycaudi]

Bueller.

Bueller.

Bueller....


Anyone?

[skywalker15]

Your pic is broken for me. And there are a lot of factors. How many miles on motor? Do you mean it's been 45k miles since you updated to the new tensioner?

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[nycaudi]

Your pic is broken for me. And there are a lot of factors. How many miles on motor? Do you mean it's been 45k miles since you updated to the new tensioner?

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did you try the flickr link in my op?

its been 45k since i had entire motor replaced..so i drove 45k with this new motor. Im trying to figure out if my chain is the revised version and/or how long do these revised versions last before they are required to be changed again.

I already bought the parts and am just waiting on delivery at this point.

Thanks

[treginginco]

Was the work done in 2012? If so, replacing the chain at this stage seems like a waste of $$

[nycaudi]

Was the work done in 2012? If so, replacing the chain at this stage seems like a waste of $$

yeah but i read here on audizine that some of the 2012 engines are failing as well.

Im experiencing some vibration and a rattle from the front in that area, so my idea is more of a "rather spend 1000 than 7000" mentality.

So i bought the parts needed for the timing chain "upgrade and a new serpentine belt and pulley. I was quoted a ridiculous price by audi but i found all of the required parts and seals for under 400. Can get it installed for 600. This is for both the accessory belt and the timing chain and new tensioner.
Will probably just go ahead with this since none of the major contributors are chiming in to this thread, and id hate to get rid of the vehicle if something catastrophic were to happen because of this rattle and vibration.

[skywalker15]

If you pop off the inspection hole on the front of the the timing cover you should be able to tell what tensioner you have. I personally rebuilt my engine after having the tensioner fail, and there were no warning signs of it happening. It will just fail. With your engine being replaced in '12 it should, and I say should, be the updated tensioner in which case you'd be fine. But it's worth giving it a check if you want to take the time.

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[nycaudi]

Thank you skywalker that is a great suggestion, one that i read in the timing chain and tensioner thread. Figured if im going to have someone check that for me i might as well jist change the shit. That is what i was gonna do until i realized i should change the pulley and serpentine belt as well...but i dont have none of the tools so i just boight the parts and will have a friend of mine with his own shop do the install.

One other thing i found out from one of my friends is, that if you have the "heartlink chain" that you should be ok as long as you do the oil changes at 5k and use yhe correct oil.

[TJet1.8]

My understanding is that Audi revised the timing chain/tensioner's in Q1 2012 (March if I'm not mistaken).
Not sure how you can check the build date on your new motor.
Maybe your dealer can assist with that.

[nycaudi]

My understanding is that Audi revised the timing chain/tensioner's in Q1 2012 (March if I'm not mistaken).
Not sure how you can check the build date on your new motor.
Maybe your dealer can assist with that.

Theyre fucking useless in this regard....among others. They cant provide a concrete answer. Just a positive "were not sure"

- - - Updated - - -

Tried 3 differwnt dealers tooo and checked online. Called aoa. Nothing.

[Militant-Grunt]

You won't be able to tell what is in there without removing it. I wouldn't worry about it until 80k or so, that or when you start to notice that the front main lower cover is starting to sweat oil. The chains are all known to stretch. Its part of the reason why the tensioners fail, they extend and extend, until they can't extend anymore to pick up the slack on the chain.

[Gunnark100]

You won't be able to tell what is in there without removing it. I wouldn't worry about it until 80k or so, that or when you start to notice that the front main lower cover is starting to sweat oil. The chains are all known to stretch. Its part of the reason why the tensioners fail, they extend and extend, until they can't extend anymore to pick up the slack on the chain.

Correct! People are replacing chain and tensioner regardless which revision tensioner they have, one possibility is to read marks from tensioner via inspection hole and with cable(but its not the best option), to get idea how stretched chain is.

[skywalker15]

Unless you have a very, very high mileage car or a faulty chain, I would highly doubt you'd see enough stretch in the chain to warrant you replace it solely for that reason. I swapped my chain out because I was already replacing the tensioner and getting the head re-finished and for an extra $150 and the car being at 130k miles it only made sense to change it. The old revision tensioner does not fail because the chain stretches, or stretches beyond what the tensioner can account for.

It fails due to the ratcheting mechanism/backing plate and retaining clip wearing over time from start up. The old tensioners were a hydraulic/mechanical combo. Once the car was on and there was oil pressure, the oil pressure woukd support the piston. However on start-up when there is no pressure, the mechanical ratcheting system would "hold" the piston static so it couldn't compress. Over time and many, many start ups, the "slamming" of the piston and backing plate wear the teeth out and the retaining clip can start to loosen up. Until eventually, you start your car, the backing plate slips, piston compresses and the chain skips off the gears.

For the amount of labor involved I wouldn't change the chain unless you are already inside replacing the faulty tensioner. Just my 2 cents.

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[nycaudi]

Unless you have a very, very high mileage car or a faulty chain, I would highly doubt you'd see enough stretch in the chain to warrant you replace it solely for that reason. I swapped my chain out because I was already replacing the tensioner and getting the head re-finished and for an extra $150 and the car being at 130k miles it only made sense to change it. The old revision tensioner does not fail because the chain stretches, or stretches beyond what the tensioner can account for.

It fails due to the ratcheting mechanism/backing plate and retaining clip wearing over time from start up. The old tensioners were a hydraulic/mechanical combo. Once the car was on and there was oil pressure, the oil pressure woukd support the piston. However on start-up when there is no pressure, the mechanical ratcheting system would "hold" the piston static so it couldn't compress. Over time and many, many start ups, the "slamming" of the piston and backing plate wear the teeth out and the retaining clip can start to loosen up. Until eventually, you start your car, the backing plate slips, piston compresses and the chain skips off the gears.

For the amount of labor involved I wouldn't change the chain unless you are already inside replacing the faulty tensioner. Just my 2 cents.

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Thank you for the detailed explanation. Invaluable piece of info.

Im changing as well as the accessory belt and its tensioner and pulley. the original motor blew at about 56k im at 101 now with the new motor. the parts i will be swapping to the new revised ones are below:



Mechanical Catalog - 2009 - Audi - A4 Quattro
engine, camshaft & timing, timing chain A4 Primary 2.0L 1 $115.32 $0.00 $115.32
Status: Ordered Cancel Order
Mechanical Catalog - 2009 - Audi - A4 Quattro
engine, camshaft & timing, tensioner A4 Primary 2.0L 1 $57.99 $0.00 $57.99
Status: Ordered Cancel Order
Mechanical Catalog - 2009 - Audi - A4 Quattro
engine, camshaft & timing, chain guide A4 Primary Upper 2.0L 1 $6.32 $0.00 $6.32
Status: Ordered Cancel Order
Collision Catalog - 2009 - Audi - A4 Quattro
engine, engine / transaxle, engine parts, timing case seal 2.0 LITER 1 $4.53 $0.00 $4.53
Status: Ordered Cancel Order
Collision Catalog - 2009 - Audi - A4 Quattro
cooling system, cooling, belts & pulleys, serpentine belt 2.0 LITER, 2009-12 1 $43.15 $0.00 $43.15
Status: Ordered Cancel Order
Collision Catalog - 2009 - Audi - A4 Quattro
cooling system, cooling, belts & pulleys, belt tensioner 2.0 LITER, 2009-12 1 $72.13 $0.00 $72.13
Status: Ordered Cancel Order
Collision Catalog - 2009 - Audi - A4 Quattro
cooling system, cooling, belts & pulleys, idler pulley 2.0 LITER, 2009-12 1 $27.28 $0.00 $27.28
Status: Ordered Cancel Order
Collision Catalog - 2009 - Audi - A4 Quattro
engine, engine / transaxle, engine parts, front cover seal 2.0 LITER 1 $5.64 $0.00 $5.64
Status: Ordered Cancel Order
Collision Catalog - 2009 - Audi - A4 Quattro
engine, engine / transaxle, engine parts, front cover gasket 2.0 LITER 1 $8.85 $0.00 $8.85
Status: Ordered Cancel Order
OEM Catalog
Engine / transaxle Engine parts Flange Sealer Sealer 1 $15.49 $0.00 $15.49
Status: Ordered Cancel Order
Collision Catalog - 2009 - Audi - A4 Quattro
cooling system, cooling, belts & pulleys, belt tensioner bolt 2.0 LITER, 2009-12 1 $2.21 $0.00 $2.21
Status: Ordered Cancel Order
Sub Total $358.91
Tax $0.00
Fedex Ground - Shipping $34.10
Handling Fee $0.00
Total $393.01