Hi All,

 

Firstly apologies if this subject has been done to death already, but after googling it looks like you folk might be most able to help me. I have a 13 plate 1.2 yeti TSI which is on 50000 miles and I have owned it second hand for 3.5 years now since about 26000 miles.

 

Its just had its MOT and service at an independant VAG specialist and the chap at the garage informed me that there is a slight timing chain rattle on a cold start. I asked if it was worth doing as preventative maintenance and he agreed it would be but was not pushy and said it could stay the same for the rest of the car's life and be fine and to keep an ear out for it getting worse or it rattling in warm weather.

 

Now having read here about all the problems I'm more inclined to bite the bullet and get the chain changed. I'm happy with the car, I don't do mega miles (6-7000 a year) so was planning on keeping it for as long as it lasts for.

 

I've had it serviced to schedule since I owned it at independent VAG specialists (I've been to a new one this year as the old one moved, but the new one is very well renowned in my area). However it looks like the previous owner only had it serviced once in 2014 at a Skoda dealership, it was then serviced again in 2016 just before I bought it and I've had it serviced yearly since then. So I don't know what the chances are the chain was replaced as part of a recall, chances of getting any GWG or anything from Skoda are probably comical given the age and non dealer service record.

 

Do you folks think I should let sleeping dogs lie or bite the bullet and get a replacement timing chain (been quoted 600 for this, Yeti is definitely in the doghouse now as it had a new turbo actuator 2 weeks ago for 300 notes, different garage as was away at the time).

 

Cheers

 

Bill

Welcome.

There was no 'Recalls or Service Campaigns on the Timing chain Tensioners up to 2012, there was a TPI on them.

As there was a Turbo Shim TPI & no Recall.

 

If it has been serviced and the Recommended Long Life 5w 30 FS oil used,  (VW504 / 507) i would get that changed to 5w 40 FS so to VW502.

Hi Roottootemoot,

 

Thanks for the welcome! Thats right invoice says it was drained and refilled with VQ Quantum longlife III 05W30 fully synthetic oil. So using a different oil could negate the need to have the timing chain replaced?

 

 

It might just make it less noisy on start up.

1 hour ago, cloudybill said:

Hi Roottootemoot,

 

Thanks for the welcome! Thats right invoice says it was drained and refilled with VQ Quantum longlife III 05W30 fully synthetic oil. So using a different oil could negate the need to have the timing chain replaced?

 

 

 

Using a different oil will make no difference to the wear of the chain or it's carriers, all it "might" do is make it quieter, but it will do nothing to preserve it's life. If the mechanic is one you trust and he is suggesting changing it, then I would follow his expert knowledge.
 

Thanks for your advice guys. Yes the more threads I read about engine failure the more inclined I am to get it replaced, I'll ring up on Monday and get it booked in, never a great time to spend 600 notes on a car but cheaper than a new engine.

 

If its replaced do you think that would be it for timing chain issues or is the a danger the same fault occurs again?

 

Cheers

A short slight rattle from cold is normal as the tensioner uses oil pressure to operate. However earlier chains/sprockets/tensioners have had issues in the past , later ones have been revised so replacing chain/sprockets/tensioner with the latest revision is good preventative maintenance. 

In the case of a 2013 engine that should be replacing like for like as it should be the later parts fitted as OEM.

 

Is there any way of telling for sure if I've got the revised chain on mine? Is it easy to tell from opening the bonnet or identify it from the VIN/engine number?

I was dead set on getting it replaced, but if a short rattle on a cold start is normal and its got the revised chain would I be needlessly replacing it?

 

Thanks for all your help folks, its appreciated.

The Independent Specialist ordering the part to fit can check if they are ordering what is the same as is on your car now so the later / updated part.

That will be by using the VIN.

A Main Dealership would do the same.  They have the TPI on the 1.2TSI Timing chains / tensioners.

 

There is a threador several  in the Roomster Section with the Engine code / dates etc that applied to the 1.2 TSI's and timing chains and tensioners.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/458162-when-to-change-timing-cam-belt

@xman might be able to help.

 

Edited 15 December, 20196 yr by Roottootemoot

19 hours ago, cloudybill said:

Its just had its MOT and service at an independant VAG specialist and the chap at the garage informed me that there is a slight timing chain rattle on a cold start.

 

1st thing I'd do is change the oil filter, if the anti drain valve is not operating correctly it will have that effect, I have had to replace a brand new filter because of that.

On 15/12/2019 at 13:25, Urrell said:

 

1st thing I'd do is change the oil filter, if the anti drain valve is not operating correctly it will have that effect, I have had to replace a brand new filter because of that.

 

Very good point - this is really worth doing, and checking that the old seal was not left in place. The oil filter can easily be misfitted which can cause major oil pressure issues - it also really needs to be the correct part as well due to the drain back valves etc.

Worth remembering that this is a chain, not a belt.  Rather than snapping suddenly without warning and wrecking the engine, if there is a problem at all it is far more likely to gradually become increasingly noisy, to the point where a mechanically sympathetic person will get it changed.  Alternatively it may carry on for years giving the same initial rattle whilst oil pressure builds after startup.

 

I suggest just keeping an ear out for excessive noise, plus annual oil changes and the use of genuine VAG oil filters.

As above. Anecdotally, people recommend 5w40 and a genuine filter. Change the oil 10k miles max, perhaps sooner if lots of town driving/cold starts. Not a lot else to do really. Stop worrying, it's a noisy engine. The injectors are noisy, the HPFP is rackety.

 

2013 plate all had the upgraded chain / guides.

 

In a year of ownership I've heard ours 2013 1.2 rattle its chain on startup twice and it was for around a second. And I am OCD beyond belief.

 

Just keep a casual ear out for the rattle and if it gets noticeably worse over a course of weeks, get it looked at.

 

Worry less, drive more.

We have a 2014 1.2 Tsi and I’ve heard it do this once at start up last summer. Not done it since. Could of been the oil filter valve as suggested.

Hi

 

Im not in the UK, but never the less an owner of a 1.8 TSI ŠKODA Yeti which I purchased used ( manufactured in 2010) and I was told the Chain has been replaced at 60,000 km. When testing it at the car sale we heard the rattling noise but my mechanic said it was likely because it had been sitting there for a while. But now at about the 5 - 6th start I’m hearing the same noise which is making me that probably I’m having the same issue. For all the 1.8 TSI users has this ever reoccurred after the tensioner was upgraded to the one ending with the letter K? The car has 90,000 km with the full service record from Germany. I’m just surprised that living in the Czech Republic a Czech mechanic who pushed me to get a ŠKODA didn’t know of the tensioner problem.