Timing chain tensioner issues

[redeye_jedi]

So my b8 a4 has been running smooth over the last 10k...and all of a sudden the EPC light started coming on and the car is hesitant.

This is a 2010 with 64k on it. At 41k it had the whole engine rebuilt by AOA after stg1 & stg2 oil consumption tests. But no new tensioner...

Has anybody pressed AOA to recall/replace this tensioner for free? Looking for advice before I have to do a whole timing job on a car with 64k on it.

http://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2016/volkswagen-timing-chain-tensioner-lawsuit.shtml

[jfo]

Anything we tell you is based on speculation, and you are already aware of this but...
1. The original tensioner is known to be a failure risk with very expensive consequences. It's up to you how you want to roll the dice on it, regardless of how the car is running. I would have a look in the inspection hole and confirm it's the original and then change it ASAP if it is.
2. Any lawsuit that goes forward may or may not be successful and the timeline is unknown.
3. You current issue should be diagnosed to try to determine if it is related to timing or something completely different.

[redeye_jedi]

Well like I said, it started with the EPC light coming on and then the cam position sensor threw a code. Changed the sensor, checked the wiring it all looked good.

A respected shop (Four Seasons Tuning) in SoCal is telling me it's the tensioner for sure. Also they're saying the chain is stretched so need to replace that too. So really, I should just replace all that shit and have new parts in there.

[cuda2000]

Yes, replace the tensioner at least. An independent shop will charge about $800. Dealer will be $1200 but they will tell you it's not needed! From my own experience.

[redeye_jedi]

Things have gotten much worse! Update to come.

[Tusktopia]

regardless of how the car is running. I would have a look in the inspection hole and confirm it's the original and then change it ASAP if it is.

Could you describe how'd you be able to tell if its original?

The place I bought it from said they did it but they also said they did other work which has turned out to be false. I've tried contacting previous Audi dealerships that have serviced it and managed to narrow down to Audi of manhattan. Unfortunately they won't print or email me the vehicle history, only if I show up in person they'll verbally read it out loud off the computer screen...

I'm at 79k right now and Just went stage 2.

Thanks!

[jfo]

Could you describe how'd you be able to tell if its original?

The place I bought it from said they did it but they also said they did other work which has turned out to be false. I've tried contacting previous Audi dealerships that have serviced it and managed to narrow down to Audi of manhattan. Unfortunately they won't print or email me the vehicle history, only if I show up in person they'll verbally read it out loud off the computer screen...

I'm at 79k right now and Just went stage 2.

Thanks!

This video will show how to check it through the inspection port. You can do this yourself or take it to shop to do it. The old version has a metal band around it as seen in the video and may have a T stamped on it. The new version doesn't have that band and you can see the piston notches through the cutout on the side of the tensioner. it will also have a K stamped on it.
You need a mirror on a handle and flashlight to see into the port.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G65J1aEszyc