Timing chain advice

[Marky N]

My lovely Cupra has done 130k+ miles. I know i need to look into replacing the timing chain to head off any potential problems. Yes the chain supposed to last the life of the car. No i don't hear or feel any issues but i think it's wise to sort. Few questions then. Should i get a stock chain kit or is there an upgraded chain and kit one can buy? Is there any other parts to consider replacing? I live in the London area. Is there any recommended companies in the London area that someone can recommend? I'm sure these questions have been asked before but it's a long thing raking through all the submissions and they don't always answers all the questions being asked. Thanks in advance

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[Legojon]

I'm hopefully going for the chain n tensioner replacement next year. Ive read there's been a few revisions of the tensioner. But the last was 2012 I think. So I'd just use Seat parts (don't think there's an aftermarket kit anyway).

Only thing I'm unsure of is whether to get the balance shaft delete at the same time. It's supposed to remove a potential critical failure point. But surely a balance shaft is to stop unwanted vibrations. So not sure why people do it as opposed to eg renewing.

 

[Brimfull]

I'm hopefully going for the chain n tensioner replacement next year. Ive read there's been a few revisions of the tensioner. But the last was 2012 I think. So I'd just use Seat parts (don't think there's an aftermarket kit anyway).

Only thing I'm unsure of is whether to get the balance shaft delete at the same time. It's supposed to remove a potential critical failure point. But surely a balance shaft is to stop unwanted vibrations. So not sure why people do it as opposed to eg renewing.

Ina timing chain and tensioner can be bought from auto doc for around £60 inc delivery.

The timing cover gasket and exhaust cam bolt can be bought from aks tuning for £12.

Or you can by all the above mentioned components in a kit from aks for £195!!!

Or they will fit the kit for £395 all in.

The ina tensioner and chain is the exact same product that any vag garage will sell you for alot more £££££ than £60.

If you know a good indie garage, buy the components yourself and pay them the labour to fir the kit unless your handy with a set of spanners and can fit the kit yourself.

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[Marky N]

Ina timing chain and tensioner can be bought from auto doc for around £60 inc delivery.

The timing cover gasket and exhaust cam bolt can be bought from aks tuning for £12.

Or you can by all the above mentioned components in a kit from aks for £195!!!

Or they will fit the kit for £395 all in.

The ina tensioner and chain is the exact same product that any vag garage will sell you for alot more £££££ than £60.

If you know a good indie garage, buy the components yourself and pay them the labour to fir the kit unless your handy with a set of spanners and can fit the kit yourself.

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I would love to do it myself, but I'm not brave enough. I think if i was with a mechanic and did it a couple of times on a car i may then give it a try

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[Marky N]

I would love to do it myself, but I'm not brave enough. I think if i was with a mechanic and did it a couple of times on a car i may then give it a try

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So. I've seen kits that supposed to fit my car some state 64 links approx and some state 40+( don't remember exactly amount). German brand Bilstein. So what is the right one?

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[Brimfull]

I would love to do it myself, but I'm not brave enough. I think if i was with a mechanic and did it a couple of times on a car i may then give it a try

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Not sure on number of links in the chain, just use your reg number to find the right part.

However make sure it's the camshaft timing chain kit and not the oil pump chain kit which is sometimes advertised as a timing kit which is a little cheaper than the camshaft kit.


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[kewe]

Ina timing chain and tensioner can be bought from auto doc for around £60 inc delivery.

The timing cover gasket and exhaust cam bolt can be bought from aks tuning for £12.

Or you can by all the above mentioned components in a kit from aks for £195!!!

Or they will fit the kit for £395 all in.

The ina tensioner and chain is the exact same product that any vag garage will sell you for alot more £££££ than £60.

If you know a good indie garage, buy the components yourself and pay them the labour to fir the kit unless your handy with a set of spanners and can fit the kit yourself.

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How on earth can they do it for £395 fitted. I'm getting quoted between £968 and £1350 for this work

 

[crunchie]

I've just paid £1100 all in for mine to be done but £500 of that was just for the cam adjuster.
Came as a bit of a shock when I thought it was going in and costing me £5-600.

https://forums.seatcupra.net/index.php?threads/got-the-dreaded-tapping-noise.458415/#post-4903048

 

[crunchie]

Also a lot of confusion caused by people calling it a timing chain/tensioner when its really the cam chain/tensioner.
I'm assuming the garage understands that its just the cam chain and they've not falsely quoted you for a timing chain thinking its an FR or similar?

 

[Legojon]

I've just paid £1100 all in for mine to be done but £500 of that was just for the cam adjuster.
Came as a bit of a shock when I thought it was going in and costing me £5-600.

https://forums.seatcupra.net/index.php?threads/got-the-dreaded-tapping-noise.458415/#post-4903048

Don't suppose you've got a vid of the tapping noise. These engines make so many different noises, it's hard to tell what belongs to what. At the moment I've got noisy injectors, noisy HPFP, the carbon canister does what it feels like and the DMF clatters.

 

[crunchie]

Don't suppose you've got a vid of the tapping noise. These engines make so many different noises, it's hard to tell what belongs to what. At the moment I've got noisy injectors, noisy HPFP, the carbon canister does what it feels like and the DMF clatters.

Hi Jon. Sorry, no I don't. Its a noisy engine anyway as you know but this tapping noise was prominent from inside the car.
I maybe didn't need to get the cam adjuster done but there was a risk that the chain & tensioner alone may not fix it then I would have needed all the labour charges again to get it done. Plus I plan to map it so better safe than sorry.

 

[Legojon]

Hi Jon. Sorry, no I don't. Its a noisy engine anyway as you know but this tapping noise was prominent from inside the car.
I maybe didn't need to get the cam adjuster done but there was a risk that the chain & tensioner alone may not fix it then I would have needed all the labour charges again to get it done. Plus I plan to map it so better safe than sorry.

Definitely worth doing for peace of mind. I have at least 4 tapping noises inside the car (excluding my dash rattle (and door rattle)). LOL.

 

[jonny87]

My headgasket & water pump both failed within days of each other late last year so I took the car off the road for some much needed attention.

My mechanic friend did the work for me, the following was carried out...
Head removed, skimmed, inlet and exhaust ports cleaned. New valve stem seals, valves lapped back in. New cam timing chain and tensioner (£140ish from vag) New thermostat (best to do with head off, PITA otherwise) new head gasket, head bolts, water pump, cambelt and tensioner. New fuel pump follower, fuel filter, coolant, oil and filter. New rocker gasket too due to a small leak above vac pump.

Most of the above didnt NEED doing but as my car is 122k and had 2 big ish failures I didnt want to take any chances. I also will be looking for a remap and want a good solid base on which to start.

If you plan on keeping the car long term ish 2/3+ years then it surely worth spending cash for peace of mind?