Owner reviews for timing chain

I love the ea888 2.0 in my 2012 GLI, but aside from water pumps, I've been pretty lucky with mine (knock on wood). Have 143K miles. Timing chain is reaching too stretched point; oil leaks from cam bridge, etc

I really like my 3.2 vr6, but replacing the timing chain on that engine turned out to be very expensive.

For reference, my 2017SE that I bought new and has been stage 1 since new car break in, has 197,000 miles on her. I last checked chain stretch maybe 3-4 months ago and was only seeing 1 degree.

I have a 2013 328i with the N20. At around 140k kms I had a couple separate mechanics bring up the timing chain unprompted and note that mine may be on its last legs. I can\u2019t say I noticed any major symptoms or signs, definitely no lights on the dashboard.\n\nI bit the bullet and paid $3500 CAD to get it done at one of the best shops around, during which they do the valve cover gasket and a bunch of other key maintenance items.\n\nThey showed me how loose the chain was and brittle the guide was, so it was a good call. I\u2019ve known I would eventually have to get this done.\n\nCar is running mint since then.

I had 2 of those. Swapped the top end, gas tank and some of the interior.

When we had to replace the timing chain we had to carve a sturdy hook into a stick to get the right leverage.

These things are so much fun off-road.

I did mine at 175k.\n\nIt was making a quiet tapping noise at idle, I thought I broke a tensione or wore the shoe down to the stub. Could hear it hitting/ slapping the inside of the case along the top front. Not a very loud or scary sound.\n\nWhen the mechanic opened it, the chain was fully covered in cracked linka all over. It had stretched so much that the tensioners were fully extending and yet the chain was flopping around loose.\n\nSomehow it never slipped and didn't grenade. The mechanic told me it was probably the worst he saw in his career.

Pros: one owner, it runs, and aside from the headlights, it's all stock Cons: Interior is rough, body has dings and dents, needs quite a bit I drove the 300 miles to Savannah to see it. Though I was after a high mileage example to stay under $10k purchase price, I'm not sure I was ready to take this on. But, it drove fine (albeit maybe it was too quiet). Chains have never been done, but there are no chain/guide noises. It starts right up and purrs quietly.

Most cars with timing chains never need them replaced, its just badly designed timing chains like the BMW ones that do.

on the Ford 4.6 around 175k you need to do an engine out service to fix timing chains because a nimrod at Ford put them against the damn fire wall.

Before you know it your timing chain stretches and the intake camshaft needs to be replaced. Damn POS. Because that’s what happened to mine.