Help! Cam Chain and Tensioner cost

[SJO]

Hi guys. 

Long story short.. Engine packed up with no warning. Turned over and sounds like a bag of spanners.

Suspected cam chain / chain tensioner failure. 

 

Local garage estimate if its just the chain it will be approx £500-600.

If its damaged some valves too it could be in the region of £1200-1300. 

 

Is this a reasonable rate to pay?

 

Thanks very much. 

 

[Babs]

Seems a little cheap for the valves, and about right if they replace just the chain and tensioner.

[TheClient]

yes, agree with @Babs. Even the tensioner and chain, using genuine parts at an indie I would expect £700 or more. Maybe price is plus Vat.

 

 

[roaddetective]

When I had a 2011 MK2 fl VRS Octavia, I had the tensioner and chains replaced as a preventative measure. The cost at my local independant garage was £630, so that garage estimate is about right. Hope it's not damaged the valves as well. 

[SJO]

Thanks guys. F@cking thing. Wish me luck when they take it apart :( 

[Mankee]

The repair of mine after tensioner failure involved replacing all eight exhaust valves for non-bent ones (the inlets survived) and a full set of chains, guides and tensioners. Just over £1800 at an independent VAG specialist. Sorry.

[SJO]

Thanks for the info. Towed her to the garage last night. Wish me luck 

[SJO]

PS do you know if they put an uprated tensioner in her? 

I read that there was a new one available that shouldn't **** itself like the factory ones often do. 

Will have to ensure my mechanic uses the correct parts. 

[Mankee]

Yes, all the latest revision parts were used. Main chain and tensioner, balance shaft chain and tensioner, and guides and rails. It worked out about £500 a piece for head shop work, parts to rebuild and garage labour, plus VAT, totalling the £1800. It could be done cheaper elsewhere I'm sure but I was happy with that and am happy with their work (as well as the work done by the head shop) on previous cars as well.

 

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[bspman]

indie quoted me £800 for fuel pump, chain kit, spark plugs and labour. That said He's the one that told me that the chain tension looks fine.. and now its skipped a tooth.

 

He checked compression and said it looks ok but the car refuses to start.

 

Mankee's price is more or less consistent with the quote I got for a VAG specialist to do the work.

 

[Mankee]

@bspman Argh no, you've only had your car since November when we were talking about going to a mk2 vRs. And now yours has a slipped chain. I sold mine recently.

[bspman]

I've hardly driven it tbh. It has had issues since Jan/Feb.
The car has been with the mechanic mostly since then.

 

Irritatingly I'd JUST put 4 new tyres on it.

 

My mk1 has also packed up (turbo gone) but still runs. Doesn't look like much of a market for that though.

TBH with so much changed I may as well ask for 4 new injectors and I've done most of the major engine work! (new turbo, fuel pump, chain + tensioner, plugs)

[SJO]

Why didn't VAG do a recall? 

[Babs]

Not widespread enough.