R36 timing chain..help!
Discussion
This is a long shot but if anyone else has experienced something similar I would very much appreciate some advice.
Engine emissions control light came on last Thursday evening. Took it to VW garage next morning.
They reckon the timing chain is faulty. A non-servicable part that should last the lifetime of the car.
How much to fix it? That'll be £2700 please. Or maybe more if it is something else.
It's an '08 R36 with full dealer service history and it has done 45,000 miles.
Spoke to VW customer services but they cannot say what help, if any, they may provide towards the cost, until they have a definitive diagnosis.
So, do I make the leap of faith and let them strip the engine knowing there is no going back and it may actually be uneconomical to repair or do I try something else?
Any thoughts? Cheers. M
Engine emissions control light came on last Thursday evening. Took it to VW garage next morning.
They reckon the timing chain is faulty. A non-servicable part that should last the lifetime of the car.
How much to fix it? That'll be £2700 please. Or maybe more if it is something else.
It's an '08 R36 with full dealer service history and it has done 45,000 miles.
Spoke to VW customer services but they cannot say what help, if any, they may provide towards the cost, until they have a definitive diagnosis.
So, do I make the leap of faith and let them strip the engine knowing there is no going back and it may actually be uneconomical to repair or do I try something else?
Any thoughts? Cheers. M
There have indeed been cases on VR engines that the cam chains can stretch , usually the top chain which goes around the cams so the cam position sensor is detecting that the cams aren't 100% in sync and it can even lead to ignition timing being adjusted wrongly.
The trouble with the chain/tensioners is VW describe them as a part for life but they really aren't. I've had one fail on me at 90k and another last beyond 170k. At least at your stage the chain(s) haven't snapped so replacing is a lot more straight forward and won't require the head to come off!
The reason the cost is so high is the labour involved as VR engines have the timing chain on the gearbox side so the box has to come off - it's an ideal time to inspect the clutch and seriously consider a new one to help reduce maintenance costs in the long run.
There are people on the VR6 & R32/36 owners club that offer a cheaper rate - one chap does 24v chains/tensioners & clutch for nearer £1000-1500.
The parts alone £300 for all 3 chains, tensioners, guides, tensioner bolt plus you require oil/coolant etc to so I'd imagine that of the £2700 quote £2000 is just labour.
The trouble with the chain/tensioners is VW describe them as a part for life but they really aren't. I've had one fail on me at 90k and another last beyond 170k. At least at your stage the chain(s) haven't snapped so replacing is a lot more straight forward and won't require the head to come off!
The reason the cost is so high is the labour involved as VR engines have the timing chain on the gearbox side so the box has to come off - it's an ideal time to inspect the clutch and seriously consider a new one to help reduce maintenance costs in the long run.
There are people on the VR6 & R32/36 owners club that offer a cheaper rate - one chap does 24v chains/tensioners & clutch for nearer £1000-1500.
The parts alone £300 for all 3 chains, tensioners, guides, tensioner bolt plus you require oil/coolant etc to so I'd imagine that of the £2700 quote £2000 is just labour.
aka_kerrly said:
There have indeed been cases on VR engines that the cam chains can stretch , usually the top chain which goes around the cams so the cam position sensor is detecting that the cams aren't 100% in sync and it can even lead to ignition timing being adjusted wrongly.
The trouble with the chain/tensioners is VW describe them as a part for life but they really aren't. I've had one fail on me at 90k and another last beyond 170k. At least at your stage the chain(s) haven't snapped so replacing is a lot more straight forward and won't require the head to come off!
The reason the cost is so high is the labour involved as VR engines have the timing chain on the gearbox side so the box has to come off - it's an ideal time to inspect the clutch and seriously consider a new one to help reduce maintenance costs in the long run.
There are people on the VR6 & R32/36 owners club that offer a cheaper rate - one chap does 24v chains/tensioners & clutch for nearer £1000-1500.
The parts alone £300 for all 3 chains, tensioners, guides, tensioner bolt plus you require oil/coolant etc to so I'd imagine that of the £2700 quote £2000 is just labour.
Yup. It is definitely the labour that is the major expense.The trouble with the chain/tensioners is VW describe them as a part for life but they really aren't. I've had one fail on me at 90k and another last beyond 170k. At least at your stage the chain(s) haven't snapped so replacing is a lot more straight forward and won't require the head to come off!
The reason the cost is so high is the labour involved as VR engines have the timing chain on the gearbox side so the box has to come off - it's an ideal time to inspect the clutch and seriously consider a new one to help reduce maintenance costs in the long run.
There are people on the VR6 & R32/36 owners club that offer a cheaper rate - one chap does 24v chains/tensioners & clutch for nearer £1000-1500.
The parts alone £300 for all 3 chains, tensioners, guides, tensioner bolt plus you require oil/coolant etc to so I'd imagine that of the £2700 quote £2000 is just labour.
Some recent googling has suggested that VW helped some unlucky owners after a spate of timing chain failures on MkV R32s which were past their warranty.
I just hope, given there is no going back once the engine has been stripped to reach the chain and tensioners, that VW may look kindly upon me too.
Never experienced any car problem as wallet-melting as this before. I am not enjoying it at all!
My A3 3.2 had the timing chain/adjuster problem. The car was out of warranty but low mileage (around 40-45k IIRC), initially I was quoted around £1600-£1700 (engine out and many hours of labour) by the Audi dealer that I had bought it from and had it serviced by, from new.
After a lengthy discussion they agreed to do it for £400 including a service and a loan car. In the end it took them around 2 months as twice after they brought it back it suffered the same symptoms? but it's been fine since.
After a lengthy discussion they agreed to do it for £400 including a service and a loan car. In the end it took them around 2 months as twice after they brought it back it suffered the same symptoms? but it's been fine since.
catso said:
My A3 3.2 had the timing chain/adjuster problem. The car was out of warranty but low mileage (around 40-45k IIRC), initially I was quoted around £1600-£1700 (engine out and many hours of labour) by the Audi dealer that I had bought it from and had it serviced by, from new.
After a lengthy discussion they agreed to do it for £400 including a service and a loan car. In the end it took them around 2 months as twice after they brought it back it suffered the same symptoms? but it's been fine since.
Cheers for the info.After a lengthy discussion they agreed to do it for £400 including a service and a loan car. In the end it took them around 2 months as twice after they brought it back it suffered the same symptoms? but it's been fine since.
Will have yet another crack at them tomorrow in a bid to get the price down before I give them the ok to take the car to bits.
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