Should I replace timing chain?

[PhillipAshley]

Hello, after doing some reading on the forum I noticed it suggested that timing chains should be changed every four years or every 140,000 miles. I contacted a few garages for quotes including Mitchell's Skoda who advised the chain is for life and doesn't need replacing, I am now very confused. Does the chain need replacing have  i read wrong? The car is a MK2 Octavia 1.8TSI with the 7sd auto box.

 

Many thanks in advance

[Ju1ian1001]

34 minutes ago, PhillipAshley said:

Hello, after doing some reading on the forum I noticed it suggested that timing chains should be changed every four years or every 140,000 miles. I contacted a few garages for quotes including Mitchell's Skoda who advised the chain is for life and doesn't need replacing, I am now very confused. Does the chain need replacing have  i read wrong? The car is a MK2 Octavia 1.8TSI with the 7sd auto box.

 

Many thanks in advance

The dealer is right in theory, normally timing chains are for the life of the vehicle, but the TSI has a very high rate of tensioner failure, so best practice is to have the chain and tensioner changed for the latest spec, i'd budget in the range of £600-£700 pounds from a dealer, maybe less from a good independant or speachalist. Must be some one who knows the TSI engine inside out, as it's a very complex unit.

 

You can also find on here some one local to you with VCDS, and have the chain checked for wear using that, and go from there.

Edited 28 November, 2017 by Ju1ian1001

[TheClient]

51 minutes ago, PhillipAshley said:

Hello, after doing some reading on the forum I noticed it suggested that timing chains should be changed every four years or every 140,000 miles. I contacted a few garages for quotes including Mitchell's Skoda who advised the chain is for life and doesn't need replacing, I am now very confused. Does the chain need replacing have  i read wrong? The car is a MK2 Octavia 1.8TSI with the 7sd auto box.

 

Many thanks in advance

What manufacture date is your 1.8Tsi? Engine production date is normally on barcode on upper timing chain cover visible with bonnet open.  Failing that, other components will have dates or the hinges with door open normally have month year AFAIR.

[Rooted]

While you are dealing with Dealerships.

 

Has your DQ200 DSG had the Service Campaign if required, not all require it.

2009-2013 '34 F7'  Oil changed Synthetic to Mineral & a Software update. 

 

Some 2013-2015 '34H5' Just a Software update.

[PhillipAshley]

17 minutes ago, TheClient said:

I'll have to get back to you on that date tonight, 

[PhillipAshley]

Awaoffski, not aware of anything regarding service campaign or software update, car is an 11 plate. Is this a free service, can I get it done at MOT? will they do it automatically or do I have to request it? Many thanks

[PhillipAshley]

@TheClient it looks like it's all dated 2010

[TheClient]

You should consider a main timing chain tensioner and timing chain replacement then,  Latest revision was end of 1st qtr 2012.   You may not have a problem but there are a reasonable volume of failures and failure often can mean a new engine.

 

Edit: Assuming it hasn't been undertaken by a previous owner....

Edited 28 November, 2017 by TheClient

[PhillipAshley]

@TheClientCheers, no record in service book, car had minimal use and was looked after by one dealer. It would be in there if it was done I think

[Rooted]

'34f5',

It was a World Wide Recall which was only a Service Campaign in Europe.(not in the world seemingly.)

 

So not at a MOT, free at a Skoda, Audi, Seat, Audi (VW Group Dealership.)

Should show here if needing doing, and if done there should be a sticker in the boot beside the VIN Sticker showing done.

http://master.skoda-auto.com/mini-apps/recall-actions 

Still check with a Dealership or Skoda UK Customer Services.

http://skoda.co.uk/about-us/contact-us 

[PhillipAshley]

Cheers @AwaoffSkireally useful info, did the search - no relevant recalls

[PhillipAshley]

Hey @Julian1001 was quoted £1310.23inc by Mitchell's Skoda!

[roaddetective]

39 minutes ago, PhillipAshley said:

Hey @Julian1001 was quoted £1310.23inc by Mitchell's Skoda!

When I had my timing chains and tensioner replaced, I took it to my reliable independent garage. I had the job done more for preventative maintenence rather than having a problem with it at the time. Cost--£600 all in. Car has done nearly 40k miles since, all working well. As for Mitchells Skoda price, OMG.

[Rooted]

They must be quoting on around £85 an hour plus VAT at the very least.

[PhillipAshley]

They said parts were £600 minimum

[TheClient]

It depends on how much you do. That price is too much. Main tensioner, main timing chain, rails and guides, replacement lower cover and a few seals.  Parts are around £300-350 from memory.  Skoda dealers are not the best at pricing this job to be honest, they are better when you come in with a failed engine and then they have a very reliable £5k plus vat....

[TheClient]

To the OP: Thinking a bit further, I would expect the job at a dealer to be around £1000, so if they adjust their  scope of work and parts list, they may come in near or under that. As @Ju1ian1001 referred to, I'd also expect independents to be £600-£700 range.  It is costed around a 5 or 5.5 hour job.

[Rjg]

On 11/28/2017 at 21:02, PhillipAshley said:

They said parts were £600 minimum

 

To be fair, my local VW specialist told me the same. I didn't get them to break down every part, but assuming they're taking it from a Skoda list that includes a bunch of stuff that isn't "vital" to do. Everything I read on here said parts should be about £300.

[TheClient]

As far as parts, if this follows the usual thread course,  the dominant part differential is likely to come down to the other chains and other tensioners for oil pump, balance shafts, each of those has guides, chains and tensioners as well. I personally haven't heard of many or actually any failures of them. Anything is possible but IMO that is taking the job too far. They are not carrying the same forces as the crank / camshaft timing anyway and specific arrangements of those differ from the timing chain anyway.

 

Edit: Camshaft bridge with the mesh screen is also sometimes talked about but it gets very expensive widening the scope of the job,,,

Edited 30 November, 2017 by TheClient

[Ju1ian1001]

On 11/28/2017 at 20:46, AwaoffSki said:

They must be quoting on around £85 an hour plus VAT at the very least.

Believe it not that is about normal pricing, Halfords auto centre's (who i work for, for my sins) is £88 an hour plus the dreaded vat, and thats nation wide, not just london and the south east.

[TheClient]

Yes, I would think most dealers are £100 plus VAT in the South East Minimum, my gut feel is probably more. Of course for fixed price jobs there can be value to be had. And sometimes, if there is a difficult problem and a good dealer, (and experienced techs) they can be very worthwhile......

Edited 30 November, 2017 by TheClient

[Rooted]

OK when VAT Registered, Tax Paying with the Licensed Equipment and the Trained and Qualified Employees that can do a good job in a timely manner.

Not if some Fitter is on the job and messing about learning.

 

But then there are those that are as well trained or better that have the gear more than an idea and earn a fair wage for a well done job. 

Just not Main Dealers or Multi Nationals owned by some Hedge Fund.

[PhillipAshley]

I asked for a break down of parts used and cost so I could try and tailor the quote, but they just replied with this 

Parts: £ 491.86

Labour: £ 599.99 ( 7.9hrs @ £75.00 )

 

VAT : £ 218.37

 

TOTAL: £1310.22

 

So, my next question is is anyone able to provide a list of minimum parts required so I can tailor the quote? Provided Skoda co operate with my request.

[TheClient]

I think you should look elsewhere if they are not playing ball or not familiar with the job, which it sounds like it may be the case. A phone call may produce more reliable two way comms.  Certainly most garages don't do well at email if that is how the comms are working.   Heaps of  part codes included in the engine failure thread.  Get an indpendent to price the job, using genuine parts, and see what part total is and total job.  There aren't that many parts. And not sure what they are doing for 8 hours, as suspected, they must have widened the scope of the job...

 

[PhillipAshley]

Sound advice @TheClient