Hi. Anyone done this. My 1.6 fsi Octavia chain is rattling on start up. The engine has done 206,000 miles and is sweet as a nut apart from this. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

help with what? are you looking to replace yourself?

Hi.  Has anyone done a timing chain & tensioner renewal on this model and is it too difficult.

Answer the rover220 question. Are you looking to do it yourself? If yes, its hell of a job.

I am now replying to my own question. I have done this job and it took me 9 hours. special tools needed bought off Ebay, The thing still rattles on start up, but doesnt do it any more that day. I think this engine is badly engineered. The chain tensioner is a joke and not like older austin engines tensioner where they were on a ratchet and held the chain correct when the engine was not running. and certainly would not buy this FSi engined car again.  In my humble opinion, cam belts are far superior and more simple to change.

Are you sure its the chain rattling? at 206,000 miles it could easily be a worn oil pump causing a top end rattle. 

Chains on these and the 1.4 TSI can be problematic. Supposed to last the life of the car but the reality is they are failing prematurely. The startup rattle is always a signal of problems - 

 

VAG have switched back to belts for the latest generation of EA211 petrol engines so they obviously know themselves the chains weren't up to scratch. 

Start up rattle is definately timing chain-not top end. Top end rattle sometimes happens and is a different sound to the timing chain. I have listened to the you tube video and the timing chain rattle is very distinctive, as against the noise from the hydraulic tappets waiting to be primed.

Surised a new chain & tensioners & guides hasnt cured the timing chain rattle,is the tensioner tensioned by oil pressure? how did the teeth on the pulleys look,all ok,not worn? 

I am now replying to my own question. I have done this job and it took me 9 hours. special tools needed bought off Ebay, The thing still rattles on start up, but doesnt do it any more that day. I think this engine is badly engineered. The chain tensioner is a joke and not like older austin engines tensioner where they were on a ratchet and held the chain correct when the engine was not running. and certainly would not buy this FSi engined car again. In my humble opinion, cam belts are far superior and more simple to change.

A belted engine would probably have had 3 cam belt changes at least in 206000 miles. At that mileage a petrol engine will be pretty near to being worn out generally, possibly a bit slow to build up oil pressure hence the noise at cold start.

Edited 22 July, 201411 yr by classic