Audi 1.2tfsi timing chain - out of warranty?

legomanx51v

One of the auld pair has a 2010 audi a3 1.2 tfsi. Very boring but handy little thing. They've put about 50k km on it and taken it to the original audi dealer for servicing on time.

Apparently they took it off a service this week and when asked if there were any problems with car, they said that it rattles on startup especially when cold... Short story after charging for two hours of "diagnostic" time, audi identified the timing chain as the issue and said it need to be replaced.

I'm under the impression that the chain is meant to be "for life". Not 5 years and 50k km obviously. A quick google says this is a common issue for skodas and VWs with the 1.2 engine because they fitted it with a poor quality part and the newer 1.2 engines have gone back to timing belts.

Audi are stating that audi warranty will cover 50% of the cost. Total cost being around 1000euro. Anyone here had a similar experience or any ideas if this sounds right?

Jayop

legomanx51v wrote: »

One of the auld pair has a 2010 audi a3 1.2 tfsi. Very boring but handy little thing. They've put about 50k km on it and taken it to the original audi dealer for servicing on time.

Apparently they took it off a service this week and when asked if there were any problems with car, they said that it rattles on startup especially when cold... Short story after charging for two hours of "diagnostic" time, audi identified the timing chain as the issue and said it need to be replaced.

I'm under the impression that the chain is meant to be "for life". Not 5 years and 50k km obviously. A quick google says this is a common issue for sodas and VWs with the 1.2 engine because they fitted it with a pro quality part and the new 1.2 engines have gone back to timing belts.

Audi are stating that audi warranty will cover 50% of the cost. Total cost being around 1000euro. Anyone here had a similar experience or any ideas if this sounds right?

On a 6 year old car if you're getting 50% of total cost including labour then you're probably doing as well out of it as you could do. Certain things should last for the life of the car but they don't. I'd imagine if they didn't have a FSH with Audi they'd have been told to pay the lot themselves.

coolbeans

Are timing chains not expected to last the life of the car now? Seems very poor from VW.

bazz26

They've reverted back to a belt on that engine in the last few of years. The Germans don't do timing chains very well.

kyote00

50k kms is very low mileage for a chain to fail....

In Ireland, we continue to be treated differently than the rest of EU when it comes to warranty. Checking on UK and German forums (fora ?) shows consistency better treatment of customers on warranty.

Had recent personal experience with a Golf TSI with similar mileage (and age). VW Ireland (as distinct from any VW dealers) stone walled -> I doubt a more facile, vacuous, short sighted, dim witted, unfriendly , useless and down right unhelpful organisation exists.

legomanx51v wrote: »

One of the auld pair has a 2010 audi a3 1.2 tfsi. Very boring but handy little thing. They've put about 50k km on it and taken it to the original audi dealer for servicing on time.

Apparently they took it off a service this week and when asked if there were any problems with car, they said that it rattles on startup especially when cold... Short story after charging for two hours of "diagnostic" time, audi identified the timing chain as the issue and said it need to be replaced.

I'm under the impression that the chain is meant to be "for life". Not 5 years and 50k km obviously. A quick google says this is a common issue for skodas and VWs with the 1.2 engine because they fitted it with a poor quality part and the newer 1.2 engines have gone back to timing belts.

Audi are stating that audi warranty will cover 50% of the cost. Total cost being around 1000euro. Anyone here had a similar experience or any ideas if this sounds right?

finalfurlong

Had same problem on 2011 golf in 2015 at about 45k miles.was well out of warranty but dealer got 70% goodwill on parts and 80% on labou rfrom vw.bill came to about 190 eu if i remember.Its a known fault and try to get water pump done at same time.The replacement parts tensioners etc are far more durable and car s that have it done have no re occurances as far as i know

kyote00

I am guessing that there was no engine damage <--- i.e. the chain stretched but did not fully fail or slip a cog or three...

our case was the chain had stretched enough to cause the timing to be (very) off....(08 car in 2012). In the end i took it to an indy in the north who repaired it for ~800stg.

Anyway, back to the OP. Will the dealer guarantee the chain for another 50k !

finalfurlong wrote: »

Had same problem on 2011 golf in 2015 at about 45k miles.was well out of warranty but dealer got 70% goodwill on parts and 80% on labou rfrom vw.bill came to about 190 eu if i remember.Its a known fault and try to get water pump done at same time.The replacement parts tensioners etc are far more durable and car s that have it done have no re occurances as far as i know

legomanx51v

kyote00 wrote: »

I am guessing that there was no engine damage <--- i.e. the chain stretched but did not fully fail or slip a cog or three...

How would I know this? Is there any way I can get the Audi dealer to check when replacing the chain?

Stallingrad

Just had mine replaced by VW 1 year out of warranty. VW covered 100% parts and labour. The car was bought and serviced by the same main dealer from day 1, I am certain this helped my case, as well as outlining that I was very aware of the problem.

Special Circumstances

Stallingrad wrote: »

Just had mine replaced by VW 1 year out of warranty. VW covered 100% parts and labour. The car was bought and serviced by the same main dealer from day 1, I am certain this helped my case, as well as outlining that I was very aware of the problem.

How long, what distance are they covering this one for? Outta interest.

Stallingrad

Special Circumstances wrote: »

How long, what distance are they covering this one for? Outta interest.

No idea, the chain design has been modified though.

Special Circumstances

Stallingrad wrote: »

No idea, the chain design has been modified though.

So was the BMW one...

kyote00

Was this 'just' the chain replacement or did it need valves etc replacing ?

otherwise its not really that much they are covering for you !

in 2012, a VW dealer quoted nearly e3000 to fix, Indy's in republic were in or around (1500-1700). This was not chain replacement, water pump, some valves and associated bits...

Anyway, I steer clear on anything with T[x]SI on it....

VW diesels are grand though ... (oh wait...)

Stallingrad wrote: »

Just had mine replaced by VW 1 year out of warranty. VW covered 100% parts and labour. The car was bought and serviced by the same main dealer from day 1, I am certain this helped my case, as well as outlining that I was very aware of the problem.