3.0T timing chain guides

[mkornegay2]

I have a 2015 (early) Q5 3.0T that I just got 2 mos. ago with 110,000 miles. Changed the oil 1,000 miles ago and now I'm getting this clacking/ticking on startup for a few seconds. It was on cold starts, now it seems to be when it sits for a number of hours. Definitely sounds like the timing chain guides unfortunately. I wish I would have known this was an issues with Audi's in general. Apparently, then didn't update them as good as some said. This seems to be a huge job and something to be done by a expert mechanic, but I just don't have $3-4K for someone (not the dealer) to do it.

First, how can I tell which side is making the noise if I only want to replace one side? It looks like there is a Bank 1 and 2 and they are separate OR do you have to remove the entire back cover to reveal both simultaneously. The emission control valve on both sides has to be removed and both cats. I saw on a vid where if those bolts are seize and you round them off you're in trouble. A whole other issue then. This supposedly can be done in car, but with very limited room, not to mention the probability of getting the timing off is huge event with the tools. I just don't know what to do. I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but this is a huge undertaking and I have limited resources/tools, I can't be dropping trannies and engines. I also have a PCV body code which is a whole other issue that plagues Audi's (lucky me). I don't like the clicking, and the TSB even says it won't damage anything... well until it does. I don't see how something like this won't cause problems. It's just to cover their butt until it's out of warranty and then you're on your own.

I bought a freaking lemon! Please help.

[NikolaZ]

I have a 2015 (early) Q5 3.0T that I just got 2 mos. ago with 110,000 miles. Changed the oil 1,000 miles ago and now I'm getting this clacking/ticking on startup for a few seconds. It was on cold starts, now it seems to be when it sits for a number of hours. Definitely sounds like the timing chain guides unfortunately. I wish I would have known this was an issues with Audi's in general. Apparently, then didn't update them as good as some said. This seems to be a huge job and something to be done by a expert mechanic, but I just don't have $3-4K for someone (not the dealer) to do it.

First, how can I tell which side is making the noise if I only want to replace one side? It looks like there is a Bank 1 and 2 and they are separate OR do you have to remove the entire back cover to reveal both simultaneously. The emission control valve on both sides has to be removed and both cats. I saw on a vid where if those bolts are seize and you round them off you're in trouble. A whole other issue then. This supposedly can be done in car, but with very limited room, not to mention the probability of getting the timing off is huge event with the tools. I just don't know what to do. I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but this is a huge undertaking and I have limited resources/tools, I can't be dropping trannies and engines. I also have a PCV body code which is a whole other issue that plagues Audi's (lucky me). I don't like the clicking, and the TSB even says it won't damage anything... well until it does. I don't see how something like this won't cause problems. It's just to cover their butt until it's out of warranty and then you're on your own.

I bought a freaking lemon! Please help.

I changed my guides last year and the job can be done without getting the engine out. There is enough space when the shielding is removed. The only big issue is when putting the heatshileds for the cats. Now I live in eastern europe and here there is a shop that does this pretty often.
The only issue that I had was that they forgot to keep the intake valves open when putting the intakes, which lead to the flaps being stuck close. So I had to go again to the shop. They fixed it in 40-50 mins.

The Error for the PCV is probably the brether hose.
My q5 is at around the same mileage and the only issue that I am having now is: blocked SAI passages and abnormal oil consumption, which started occuring after my last oil change.