Timing chain replacement question

[Choice84]

Hi, I have a 2013 b8.5 with 116k miles. I have been carefully monitoring the timing chain stretch via obd11. I plan on getting the chain serviced soon and was curious as to what all I would really need from the kits that are sold? Are there specific pieces I should pay more attention too? Most of my research tends to point to the chains, guides and tensioner. Thanks in advance 👍

[NitroViper]

Id just buy the borgwarner kit. Has everything you need. Also buy a new lower timing chain cover. They are cheap and if you dont resealing it will be a giant nightmare.

[Theiceman]

Keep in mind you need a few special tools.

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine Forum mobile app

[silver_tt]

I posted a part list in the main timing chain thread. As far as what you "really" need, I would not skimp on parts on this job. Most of the expense (either in your time or in paid labor) is just getting in and out of the timing case and doing the job.... if you have to add extra parts like guides or the balance shafts chain that maybe aren't needed, I would still do it anyway. I actually have seen some of these engines with the balance shafts chain stretched, it's not just the main chain on the cams. So ya, just do the whole timing case, it's not that much more expensive -- and I would only go OE on this job. You should checkout that thread, iceman also has tips in there like to check the teeth on the main crank sprocket

[Choice84]

Thanks for the input! I will be having the job done at a local shop. I planned on buying the whole kit from fcpeuro. And I do plan on keeping it OEM mainly.

[NitroViper]

Thanks for the input! I will be having the job done at a local shop. I planned on buying the whole kit from fcpeuro. And I do plan on keeping it OEM mainly.

isnt that kit on fcpeuro over $1000? screw that lol.

[silver_tt]

my whole OE timing kit from a dealer (www.audiusaparts.com) was $800.... included new lower pan, guides/rails, both chains, tensioners, bolts, gaskets, sealant, etc..... on this job I would not go OEM or aftermarket, too expensive to have to do this job twice or have it not be 100%

[old guy]

I applaud your desire to get stay ahead of potential issues with preventive maintenance. Here's something to consider. Since you have a B8.5 you have the new style tensioner. With a cam phase adjustment of -3.78° you are probably still in the 7th notch of your tensioner. There are a total of 11 notches and you can safely go to 9 notches.

You need to take a look at your tensioner position. I suspect you can probably go another 25→30k miles before you really need to perform the timing chain service.

Just something to consider.

[Theiceman]

I didn't even see the link... I wish people would embed the pic instead of just the link.
I wouldn't touch 3. Something.

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine Forum mobile app

[Choice84]

isnt that kit on fcpeuro over $1000? screw that lol.

Yeah 😂 which is why I wasn't sure if every part in there absolutely needed to be replaced based off what others have seen.

my whole OE timing kit from a dealer (www.audiusaparts.com) was $800.... included new lower pan, guides/rails, both chains, tensioners, bolts, gaskets, sealant, etc..... on this job I would not go OEM or aftermarket, too expensive to have to do this job twice or have it not be 100%

I will definitely look into lower prices. I can't beat the warranty from fcp though. Especially if I may need to do this service in another 100k 🤞

I applaud your desire to get stay ahead of potential issues with preventive maintenance. Here's something to consider. Since you have a B8.5 you have the new style tensioner. With a cam phase adjustment of -3.78° you are probably still in the 7th notch of your tensioner. There are a total of 11 notches and you can safely go to 9 notches.

You need to take a look at your tensioner position. I suspect you can probably go another 25→30k miles before you really need to perform the timing chain service.

Just something to consider.

Thanks! It's been my daily for a few years now and I hope to keep it going for a few more to come. I never really pushed it until now that I'm upgrading parts and looking for more power. I'll be sure to keep an eye on the tensioner though. And that's a relief to hear about having a little more time. I'm still trying to prioritize upgrades and maintenance for this car.

[Choice84]

[

I didn't even see the link... I wish people would embed the pic instead of just the link.
I wouldn't touch 3. Something.

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine Forum mobile app

Sorry about that 😅. I updated the format, but good to know I still have some time before I throw these parts at the car.

[Choice84]

I posted a part list in the main timing chain thread. As far as what you "really" need, I would not skimp on parts on this job. Most of the expense (either in your time or in paid labor) is just getting in and out of the timing case and doing the job.... if you have to add extra parts like guides or the balance shafts chain that maybe aren't needed, I would still do it anyway. I actually have seen some of these engines with the balance shafts chain stretched, it's not just the main chain on the cams. So ya, just do the whole timing case, it's not that much more expensive -- and I would only go OE on this job. You should checkout that thread, iceman also has tips in there like to check the teeth on the main crank sprocket

Thanks! I have been going back through that thread and re-reading a lot of good information.

[gt0279a]

My 2012 A4 made it 161000 miles on the original 'old style' tensioner.

My mechanic said it looked fine with minimal stretch, but is his experience the old style can break at any moment. Decided to go ahead and replace it.

Parts used were: New Lower Chain Cover, Chain Tensioner, Upper Chain, Guides, Seal, Gasket

[Theiceman]

My 2012 A4 made it 161000 miles on the original 'old style' tensioner.

My mechanic said it looked fine with minimal stretch, but is his experience the old style can break at any moment. Decided to go ahead and replace it.

Parts used were: New Lower Chain Cover, Chain Tensioner, Upper Chain, Guides, Seal, Gasket

buy this man a lottery ticket... :)

[Zuzuwu]

I used the febi kit. $300 from uro. Seemed fine and came with everything other than the oil pump chain, has 10k miles on it now since the rebuild. I did mine at 130k when i replaced the pistons due to oil consumption. The tensioner wasn’t even close to being fully extended, still had like 5 notches left.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

[Theiceman]

I used the febi kit. $300 from uro. Seemed fine and came with everything other than the oil pump chain, has 10k miles on it now since the rebuild. I did mine at 130k when i replaced the pistons due to oil consumption. The tensioner wasn’t even close to being fully extended, still had like 5 notches left.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

Can't replace oil pump chain anyway so that worked out well.

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine Forum mobile app

[Zuzuwu]

Can't replace oil pump chain anyway so that worked out well.

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine Forum mobile app

Well, i could’ve since i had the whole engine apart lol


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

[Theiceman]

Well, i could’ve since i had the whole engine apart lol


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

Oh right .. oil rebuild. I did the same and did mine

Sent from my SM-G973W using Audizine Forum mobile app

[xjmllc]

I used the febi kit. $300 from uro. Seemed fine and came with everything other than the oil pump chain, has 10k miles on it now since the rebuild. I did mine at 130k when i replaced the pistons due to oil consumption. The tensioner wasn’t even close to being fully extended, still had like 5 notches left.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

Did that include a new lower cover? Anything else added to this kit that you would recommend?

[Chillaxin]

Make sure they look at your cam bridge screen and the remnants of it. Any bits of the screen in the cam bridge need to be removed. Some people do balance shaft chain replacement, but I don't think it's necessary, same with the oil chain tensioner. I used permatex black stuff to seal up a new lower timing pan. Good luck.

[Theiceman]

Make sure they look at your cam bridge screen and the remnants of it. Any bits of the screen in the cam bridge need to be removed. Some people do balance shaft chain replacement, but I don't think it's necessary, same with the oil chain tensioner. I used permatex black stuff to seal up a new lower timing pan. Good luck.

true the balance shaft chain does not necessarily need changing , but i have seen broken chain guides and do you really want to go in there and not 100% make sure this balance shafts are spinning freely ? i would do chain guides, but not necessarily the chain or tensioner. For the record however for my engine build i did it all , as money for parts really wasn't an obstacle.