Audi A1 Timing Chain

[Challo]

A friend has a Audi A1 1.2 TFSI and just had a recent service by Audi. They advised her that the timing belt needs doing but the car has only done 25k.

I have told her to take it for a second opinion but surely 25k is too earlier to have this changed?

[mattyc69]

Timing belts also need to be changed after a set amount of years not just mileage.

[Challo]

mattyc69 said:

Timing belts also need to be changed after a set amount of years not just mileage.

Just checked and the car is only 3.5 years old

[lemonslap]

Challo said:

Just checked and the car is only 3.5 years old

4 years for these engines I think? so sounds right.

[Dr G]

Chain on those.

I have heard of the 1.2 needing them replaced. At 25k and 3.5 years old you could very reasonably expect a large goodwill contribution (particularly if main dealer serviced).

[va1o]

It's definitely a chain and shouldn't need replacing as it's designed to last the life of the car. I've heard of (and experienced) 1.4 TSI timing chain failure but unless it's very early the 1.2 TSI is generally fine.

[b0rk]

Lifetime chain no?

[lemonslap]

I thought the 1.2 tfsi was belt? It's the 1.2 tsi that has the chain?

[va1o]

lemonslap said:

I thought the 1.2 tfsi was belt? It's the 1.2 tsi that has the chain?

TFSI and TSI are the same thing it's just different branding

It's only the new EA211 version which has a belt (also lifetime) but that's only currently applicable to the A1 COD

[Challo]

va1o said:

lemonslap said:

I thought the 1.2 tfsi was belt? It's the 1.2 tsi that has the chain?

TFSI and TSI are the same thing it's just different branding

It's only the new EA211 version which has a belt (also lifetime) but that's only currently applicable to the A1 COD

Thanks. I confirmed is a 2010 1.2 TFSI model. Apparently she had a service done at Audi as it was included free when she bought the car secondhand from them. They advised her there was something up with the timing belt?? and for them to diagnose the issue it would take them 2.5 hours costing £400.

Her local independent would charge £66 to check it. There is no warning lights on the dash but she said she has noticed it noisy on start up from cold, but disappeared after driving.

So if the car has a chain why would they say its a timing belt? or would it be something to do with the auxiliaries belt?

Would it be worth swallowing the £66 for the local garage to have a look? Or does it seem the chain is the issue?

Edited by Challo on Tuesday 17th June 10:43

[Dr G]

Probably confusion over terminology.

Have the owner of the car explain to the dealer that they are unhappy about such a serious issue occuring on a car so young and with such low mileage. It is not reasonable wear for a car of its age.

If the dealer are unable to help get customer service to open a case. A 3 year old car with 25,000 miles shouldn't need a repair/replacement to its timing chain.

[Challo]

Dr G said:

Probably confusion over terminology.

Have the owner of the car explain to the dealer that they are unhappy about such a serious issue occuring on a car so young and with such low mileage. It is not reasonable wear for a car of its age.

If the dealer are unable to help get customer service to open a case. A 3 year old car with 25,000 miles shouldn't need a repair/replacement to its timing chain.

Thanks. She has contacted Audi UK and made a complaint as she is not happy. Like you say its a young car and shouldn't have issues, but the local dealership is trying to charge her to get it checked, and then to have it fixed.

[va1o]

Challo said:

Thanks. She has contacted Audi UK and made a complaint as she is not happy. Like you say its a young car and shouldn't have issues, but the local dealership is trying to charge her to get it checked, and then to have it fixed.

Yeah I'd agree with Dr G. Shouldn't have issues this young and if it does I'd be pushing for a 100% goodwill contribution from Audi UK. It's around £1k for a replacement chain and assocatiated parts fitted from a main dealer so not cheap.

[Sheepshanks]

Challo said:

Apparently she had a service done at Audi as it was included free when she bought the car secondhand from them.

How long ago did she buy the car?

[lemonslap]

va1o said:

TFSI and TSI are the same thing it's just different branding

It's only the new EA211 version which has a belt (also lifetime) but that's only currently applicable to the A1 COD

Thanks for clarifying

[Challo]

Sheepshanks said:

Challo said:

Apparently she had a service done at Audi as it was included free when she bought the car secondhand from them.

How long ago did she buy the car?

I think she has had it around 12-18months

[Rich_W]

Not defending the costs.

But the car IS out of warranty and outside the 1 year you get when you buy the car from them.

I imagine Audi UK will help out though. So long as it has FULL AUDI SH. This is why you go back to the dealers for servicing. Not your indy mate. If this happens (and modern cars seem more fallible than ever) you have a chance to use "loyalty" at Audi UK and they have less angle to say "meh"

[Challo]

Rich_W said:

Not defending the costs.

But the car IS out of warranty and outside the 1 year you get when you buy the car from them.

I imagine Audi UK will help out though. So long as it has FULL AUDI SH. This is why you go back to the dealers for servicing. Not your indy mate. If this happens (and modern cars seem more fallible than ever) you have a chance to use "loyalty" at Audi UK and they have less angle to say "meh"

I'm seeing on Sunday so will ask if Audi UK have got back to her. If it is the timing chain then this shouldn't be failing so early. Even if you have the car serviced at Audi or a local Indy.

[va1o]

Challo said:

I'm seeing on Sunday so will ask if Audi UK have got back to her. If it is the timing chain then this shouldn't be failing so early. Even if you have the car serviced at Audi or a local Indy.

Yep agreed. Assuming it has a audi history there is no reason for them not to give a 100% contribution. It's a known defect and this shouldn't be happening on such a new and low mileage car.

[Sheepshanks]

Challo said:

I think she has had it around 12-18months

If push comes to shove, she could take action against the supplying dealer but the outcome is by no means certain.