Owner reviews for timing chain

I've been gathering parts to do the timing chain on my 2012 CTT. I bought it with a reduced engine power warning but was originally told it was just a variable valve solenoid. Thankfully I did some research and learned that you can see part of the upper timing chain guide through the oil fill cap hole. Mine is missing the plastic lining on the upper chain guide so a timing chain service is needed.

Mazda is where it is at my brother, join us in holy SKYACTIV(tm) TECHNOLOGY communion. If you are going to pick an appliance, choose the company that still puts regular automatics and timing chains inside of their stuff.

timing chain still had a lot of tension and no wear on bearings… crankshaft and everything still in spec. The timing chain was even better in the e60 pre facelift models, along with more reliable solenoid type injectors.

I have the seat equivalent - Ibiza ST (Fr spec) with the same engine, yes it's EA111, so keep an out for any signs of the timing chain stretching, however VW did do some what of a fix before introducing EA211. My 1.2 TSI EA111 has 95k miles on it and has never had the chain done and doesn't sound like there's any chain issues. But key is just service it every year properly and check the chain, you'll be fine then.

Replaced timing chains, tensioners, guides and exhaust sprocket a couple months ago:

* Spark advance fluctuated wildly between -18° and 30°

* Before warm, would cut ignition at 3000 RPMs

It is a genuine Toyota HOWEVER, It is gray market. What is gray market? It’s basically genuine Toyota parts but marketed for regions outside of home markets in this case USA. That part# is no longer used for many years, they superseded to 13540-0D020 years ago. Grey market parts are not supported in the US by Toyota corporate so if any dealer is caught selling gray market parts, they will risk losing their dealer franchise license over it as it’s a breach of the agreement. Now the question is would I use this in my personal car? Well if that’s the only thing that’s available and the original part at the dealers is discontinued I guess I would. But in this case many times when a gray market seller sells you the old part number versus the new one you may be missing out on a new and improved updated design.

I just sold my 2018 Cruze with 96k miles on it for 2k bc it no longer runs bc of timing chain issues

I recently installed a Cloyes timing chain. Instead of the 3 colored links which allow you to quickly line up the marks, this chain had 6 (6!) colored links, none of which were in the correct location. I had to count links on the old chain, and mark the new chain so that I could install it. NOT impressed.

What I did not know is that the Audi timing chains are *designed* to stretch. Yes you read that right. They stretch. They use both metallic *and* interlocking plastic components and will slowly over time reach a point where your timing is subtly off (and the sensors "designed" to warn you of this do NOT warn you soon enough). This, combined with my wife largely driving it like a grandma, slowly and silently destroyed my catalytic converter required a massive overhaul of both the exhaust system and timing chain, pulleys, etc.

Those Tiguans have a notorious timing chain issue, probably not worth it unless you have service record of that being addressed already.