I note the advice about cam belt vehicles to change water pump and cam belts at appropriate intervals. My query is about maintainaine of vehicles with chains.

 

I have a 1.6 fsi with 65000 miles. It has a cam chain rather than a belt and has no problems. I am planning to get a coolant change done. I wonder if I need to change water pump as well and is there any other regular recommended maintenance to do for cam chains as part of usual maintainence/service?.

8 hours ago, hifiboy said:

I note the advice about cam belt vehicles to change water pump and cam belts at appropriate intervals. My query is about maintainaine of vehicles with chains.

 

I have a 1.6 fsi with 65000 miles. It has a cam chain rather than a belt and has no problems. I am planning to get a coolant change done. I wonder if I need to change water pump as well and is there any other regular recommended maintenance to do for cam chains as part of usual maintainence/service?.

No need to change water pump unless the bearings fail (will make a horrible noise when the engine is running) or it starts to leak, as for the the timing chain, just have routine services carried out as the chain is lubricated by the engine oil when it's running, some people advise changing them at 150k; as they can stretch but again the give away is a rattling noise; if its quite then leave alone.

 

It's the later TSi that suffers from chain tensioner issue's, but thats a whole different story. 

 

In my 22 years in the motor trade i have never changed a timing chain on anything other then a rover V8 lump (done a few of them as the eat the camshaft and followers if you don't do regular oil and filter changes,  chains are changed at same time from single to duplex) done quite a few cambelts though.

 

 

The water pump is fed by a separate aux belt and if it's not making a noise / leaking then it should be fine - It is a fairly straightforward job though, but if you change the pump change the belt / tensioner etc - usually all comes as a kit of parts,

 

Maintenance for cam chains on your engine - regular oil changes (long serice intervals not a great idea) and always fit an OEM oil filter! (fitted with the correct non return valves)

 

If chain is rattling at all when running (can rattle slightly on startup briefly as oil pressure picks up) then it might be worth getting chain/tensioner replaced - if all OK leave it alone!