2001 MkI Fabia 1.4 MPI 69,000 miles

 

I had the timing chain replaced about 10,000 miles / 2 years ago as it sounded like a bucket of nuts and the car wasnt running so well. After (genuine part) replacement the transformation was terrific, super quiet engine, better fuel economy and performance. Now however it is getting noisy again. The mechanic (who I pretty much trust) said it is one of those things - they're noisy generally and there is no adjustment or tensioner on them. He also said not changing the oil could also affect chain wear. ( I admit I probably haven't changed the oil since then).

 

Has anyone else suffered this problem and are there any suggestions about what, if anything, to do?

 

Thank you.

 

Gerard

IMHO, I don't see how a timing chain replacement would affect the car's performance or the fuel consumption. If the chain is way to worned and it misses one tooth, the engine would not start at all. My 1.4mpi is well over 100.000miles and doesn't need a replacement, it's still the OEM part on it. Are you sure it isn't the plastic engine cover which is noisy or any of the exhaust components?

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They all get rattly, it's a well known issue with that engine. I've owned rear-engined Estelles and Rapids and they had the same engine with the same rattly timing chain. I replaced my chain once and it stayed quiet for a few years before rattling again. A friend bought a brand-new Felicia 1.3 and the chain started to rattle on that after a few years. My current Fabia MPI has 65000 on the clock and the chain rattles at idle. I just live with it as it's quiet once on the move. If it bothers you, the only solution is to replace.

The theory being that as the chains wear they become noisy and the engine knock sensors pick up the vibration and retard the ignition timing which will dull the performance.