Audi A4 Timing Chain Tensioner Install

Timing chains are the critical link between the crankshaft and camshaft. Through a series of guides and tensioners, the chains are responsible for keeping the cylinder head valves in sync with the combustion chamber pistons.

If the timing chain becomes loose, either by stretching or a failed tensioner, there are serious problems ahead.

What’s Happening in Audi's EA888 Engine ∞

Here is Part 2 on how to remove the camshaft chain tensioner gasket and the half moon seal on a 1998 Audi A6 2.8L engine. This procedure should help you if y. This video is about the Audi A4 B8 2.0 tfsi timing chain alignment marks and guides installation.

One of the main reasons chains have replaced belts in high-displacement engines is their longevity. Volkswagen, parent company of Audi, says you shouldn't have to worry about timing chain maintenance for 120,000 miles in their own maintenance schedules.

So why are Audi's timing chains failing so early?

It's likely a timing chain tensioner failure. Tensioners make sure the chain is tightly wound to the pulleys and gears. If the tensioner fails and the chain becomes loose, the timing of the engine is thrown off.

Symptoms of a loose timing chain ∞

When a timing chain is loose you'll likely hear a rattle during startup or idling in the engine. The rattle might be accompanied by a check engine light triggered by sensors in the crankshaft and camshaft that are detecting timing issues.

With a loose timing chain you'll have trouble starting the engine or it might misfire while driving. That’s because the timing between the valves and pistons are out of sync, and the combustion part of you internal combustion engine is busted.

If a loose timing chain isn’t addressed immediately it could break, and cause catastrophic damage to the engine.

Audi A4 Timing Belt

As the problems piled up, the lawsuits rolled in ∞

Audi began releasing Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) to its network of dealerships around 2010. The TSBs outlined how to respond to customer complaints about the timing chain.

One of the most popular responses was to accuse owners of improper oil and filter maintenance, and ask for records (including receipts) before doing any warranty work.

Fed up and facing massive repair bills, the first timing chain lawsuit was filed in May of 2016. It placed blame on the tensioner system and said VW should help pay for repairs.

Another class-action lawsuit soon followed by 24 plaintiffs in 17 states claiming the timing chains 'jump a tooth' in the camshaft.

The lawsuits were eventually combined in a New Jersey court, despite VW’s motion to dismiss the cases.

Volkswagen and Audi Timing Chain Settlement ∞

As the court fees piled up, Volkswagen agreed to settle 7 class-action lawsuits in one combined action in May of 2018.

Extended warranty ∞

As part of the settlement, the following Volkswagen vehicles were given an extended 'new vehicle limited warranty” to cover future repairs or replacements of the timing chains and tensioners.

ModelYears
A32008-2012
A42009-2013
A4 Avant2009-2012
A52010-2013
A5 Cabriolet2010-2013
A62012
Q52011-2012
TT2009-2012
TT Roasdster2009-2012

Owners and lessees of the vehicles are automatically awarded the extended warranty unless they opted out of the class-action by December 3rd, 2018.

Audi A4 Timing Chain Lawsuit

Note: You can find out which VW vehicles are involved in the settlement over at VWProblems.com

2010 audi a4 timing chainTiming chain replacement audi a4

Reimbursements for timing chains and tensioners ∞

If you've already repaired or replaced the timing chain system, you may be eligible for a reimbursement if the service was done within 10 years or 100,000 miles of when the vehicle first entered service.

If the work was done at an authorized VW dealership, 100% of the cost will be refunded. Otherwise, a refund between $1,100 and $1,500 will be awarded depending on what needed fixing.

Two conditions of the settlement:

  1. VW says they will not be responsible for any problems associated with timing chains or tensioners repaired by an independent service center, unless the parts were ordered from an official dealer and fail within 1 year or 12,000 miles.
  2. There will be no reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs of any repairs or replacements to the timing chains, tensioners or engines if the work was performed more than 30 days after the settlement notice date by anyone other than an authorized Audi or VW dealership.

More details on the timing chain reimbursements. Still with me, good?

Reimbursements for engine damage related to a timing chain failure ∞

As part of the settlement, VW will reimburse you for expenses related to engine damage. However, an authorized dealer will need to make the determination if the timing chain was actually to blame. Who wants to place bets on if they'll make that process difficult?

Reimbursements for out-of-pocket expenses will be based on the following parameters.

The same parameters apply if an independent service center performed the engine work, but a maximum amount of $6,500 will be awarded.

Audi A4 Timing Chain Marks

More details on the engine repair reimbursements.

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Audi a4 timing chain tensioner installers

Audi A4 Timing Chain Repair

Install

Audi A4 Timing Chain Kit

Subject: 2.0L Chain Drive - Cam/Crank correlation check - - - - - > Updated December 2018 - New Photos!
Here is a quick tip for checking the Audi/Volkswagen 2.0L chain drive engines for proper camshafts to crankshaft timing.
- There are known chain tensioner failures, see -- > How The 2.0T TSI Timing Chain Tensioner Fails
1) Verify the number 1 piston is at TDC - (Top Dead Center). You will want to remove the #1 spark plug and verify the piston is all the way up, because the timing marks on the balance/cover could be off. - Yes it is possible to complete a repair without the special timing tools on the first try, I have personally done it, however, the special timing tools will help you so that you do not have to do the job twice.
Note: There is a paint mark at the 12 o'clock position of the crank pulley and a grove at about the 4 o'clock position.
- The timing chain cover has two marks, one at 12 o'clock and one at 4 o'clock, make sure you correctly set these marks, see by the pictures below!
These are 12 o'clock marks on the crankshaft pulley
See the example, click on the picture here --->
4 o'clock marks on the crankshaft pulley
See the example, click on the picture here --->
- The pictures here shows the crank timing gear(top/bottom side), notice the design, it is possible the parts could mesh together incorrectly during installation, after a repair.
and
2) Next, remove top camshaft gear cover, front of the engine.
3) Using a dial or digital caliper tool that will measure in millimeters, measure the distance between the top Timing Chain Guide mount1 and the Intake Cam mark 2.
Specification is 61 to 64mm
See the example, click on the picture here --->
4) Using a dial or digital caliper tool that will measure in millimeters, measure the distance between the Exhaust Cam mark3 and the Intake Cam mark 2 .
Specification is 124 to 126mm
See the example, click on the picture here --->
- If the readings are off, suspect there is a concern with the cam/crank timing, typically there should be a fault code for this condition, such as a 16400/P0016/000022 - Bank 1: Camshaft Position Sensor (G40) / Engine Speed Sensor (G28): Incorrect Correlation .
- Also if there was no prior repairs to this engine, it is possible there is a bigger problem awaiting and immediate attention may be required. Yes, that is a broken intake valve, #3 piston, all the intake valves were bent!.
Ask me how I know this....
-- oh, and there is the 'might as well' factor. . . when and if you have this all apart, check the 'Camshaft Bridge' (part that sends oil to the camshafts), the screen inside can fail and the material can migrate to the cam bearings, possibly damaging the cylinder head.
ref: VW Tech Tip '01-15-08 MIL ON, DTC(s) P0011, P0016, P000A, P0341 and or P052A Stored in ECM Fault Memory'
Camshaft Adjuster Valve - FAILED (The center part should NOT be extended out as seen in these photos!) Dec.2018
Hope this helps,
drpeter