Polo 1.2 TSI Timing Chain

[matchandmore]

All my other cars have a timing belt so I get them replaced every 50,000 miles/4 years but there is no schedule for timing chains.

Getting a belt and water pump replaced is £449 from VW. However replacing the timing chain and pump is around £1400.

Should a timing chain last the lifetime of the car?

[bearman68]

Should, but won't. 80 odd k will see that timing chain at the end of it's life (IMO). st things. (IMO again)

[brrapp]

I agree with Bearman, there isn't a scheduled period for renewing them but they often need changing between 80000 and 120000 miles. No need to change it as a precaution though, you can wait till you start to hear a rattle when revving or if you get an engine management light up. They don't just break like a belt will, the chain will stretch a good bit before it gets close to jumping a cog.

[catso]

My Son has a Polo 1.2 with 108,000 miles on the clock, it rattles a bit on startup but otherwise runs fine. Only paid £200 for the car so replacing the chain is not really on the 'to do' list...

[Imac64]

I've just got my polo back after having my timing chain replaced after it jumped a cog withoujt any warning.. 49K miles full device history and £873 poorer..WTF

[tigger1]

Imac64 said:

I've just got my polo back after having my timing chain replaced after it jumped a cog withoujt any warning.. 49K miles full device history and £873 poorer..WTF

How old is the car?

We had a 2010 ibiza (with same engine) that had quite a rattle for a while from cold - raised it a few times with Seat. Eventually (at just over 3 years) they agreed it needed replacing - and (later still after a lot of phone calls) they agreed to do it for free.

"Almost anything built to last the lifetime of a car will end up shortening the lifetime of that car." - Me, Feb 2018.