Timing chain

Sep 26, 2020
4
0
I have a 2013 seat Ibiza cupra with the CTHE engine code, are the timing chains an issue on this engine or is it just the previous engine which has the issue? Also is there a certain mileage it should be changed at? The mileage is 70k

thanks in advance
 

SEAT Rule

Active Member
Nov 19, 2019
188
62
I have a 2013 seat Ibiza cupra with the CTHE engine code, are the timing chains an issue on this engine or is it just the previous engine which has the issue? Also is there a certain mileage it should be changed at? The mileage is 70k

thanks in advance

Hello there,

I don't think VAG gave an official mileage interval on when to change the timing chain on any of their vehicles. Only to have the chain checked at roughly 60k

80k to 100k there will definitely be wear in the chain and chain guides, possibly even the oil fed tensioner as that was a very weak item on the CAVE engine.
It's the early CAVE engine that suffered the most, I think they made several upgrades to the parts relating to the timing chain on the CAVE engine, before totally ditching this engine and bringing out a new engine in mid to late 2013 the CTHE, this new engine from what I've heard/read is better but can still have issues.

There are two timing chains on your engine, the main one that is driven by the crank and drives the cam shafts, this chain is under a lot of strain so is prone to wear.
The other chain is a small one that is again driven by the crank which drives the oil pump, this small chain doesn't get changed, as it's under a lot less load, plus the oil pump sprocket is possibly partly submerged in oil from the sump, so will give a much longer life span for this chain.

In my opinion if I had your engine that is twin charge, (turbo & supercharged) and has timing chain, I definitely would change my engine oil very frequently, say every 6k max not the manufacturer's 12k or 15k that is too much, there's a lot of downward load pressure on the big end bearing's, from the extra air/boost pushing down on the piston's, plus all the extra hot temperature's running through your engine oil, and all this extra friction of metal on metal will shorten the life of your engine oil, which is like I say way you should ideally change it very frequently, this will help to maintain/prolong the life of your timing chain and turbo / supercharger.

Also when you've done your journey in your car, don't just switch it off straight away, allow your engine to idle for a few minutes, let the coolant and oil circulate through your engine and the twin chargers, again this will help to prolong the life of your engine.
I've got a 2015 SEAT Ibiza 1.2 TSI i-tech, I know it's not a Cupra like yours, but is still turbo charged and is timing chain driven, this I change the oil every 5k to 6k max.

Here's a link I found online that might be of help


Hope this helps
Si
 
Sep 26, 2020
4
0
Hello there,

I don't think VAG gave an official mileage interval on when to change the timing chain on any of their vehicles. Only to have the chain checked at roughly 60k

80k to 100k there will definitely be wear in the chain and chain guides, possibly even the oil fed tensioner as that was a very weak item on the CAVE engine.
It's the early CAVE engine that suffered the most, I think they made several upgrades to the parts relating to the timing chain on the CAVE engine, before totally ditching this engine and bringing out a new engine in mid to late 2013 the CTHE, this new engine from what I've heard/read is better but can still have issues.

There are two timing chains on your engine, the main one that is driven by the crank and drives the cam shafts, this chain is under a lot of strain so is prone to wear.
The other chain is a small one that is again driven by the crank which drives the oil pump, this small chain doesn't get changed, as it's under a lot less load, plus the oil pump sprocket is possibly partly submerged in oil from the sump, so will give a much longer life span for this chain.

In my opinion if I had your engine that is twin charge, (turbo & supercharged) and has timing chain, I definitely would change my engine oil very frequently, say every 6k max not the manufacturer's 12k or 15k that is too much, there's a lot of downward load pressure on the big end bearing's, from the extra air/boost pushing down on the piston's, plus all the extra hot temperature's running through your engine oil, and all this extra friction of metal on metal will shorten the life of your engine oil, which is like I say way you should ideally change it very frequently, this will help to maintain/prolong the life of your timing chain and turbo / supercharger.

Also when you've done your journey in your car, don't just switch it off straight away, allow your engine to idle for a few minutes, let the coolant and oil circulate through your engine and the twin chargers, again this will help to prolong the life of your engine.
I've got a 2015 SEAT Ibiza 1.2 TSI i-tech, I know it's not a Cupra like yours, but is still turbo charged and is timing chain driven, this I change the oil every 5k to 6k max.

Here's a link I found online that might be of help


Hope this helps
Si

Okay thank you for the information and replying, that helps a lot!


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