Hello,

I've bought a 2003 Skoda Fabia 1.4 MPi 8V two weeks ago. Everything looks and works fine with it. Anyways before I bought it I went to Skoda service to check it for any faults that they might find. One thing that I did not like was the sound of the engine at low revs. There is a "metallic" noise coming from the left side of the engine (looking towards it). The mechanic there said that the sound comes from the timing chain, but it's no problem. I can go with it like that with no problems at all. After reading the posts on this forum I could confirm the mechanic's diagnostic. Anyway I want that noise removed (the car is also approaching its 60.000 km inspection); this means that I have to (the mechanic has to) change the timing chain and pinions. Does anyone here know what are the risks involved when changing this chain? I don't want to get rid of the noise and get into other serious problems.

I don't think there any risks but it might be quite expensive as I think it's a fairly long job.

I don't think there any risks but it might be quite expensive as I think it's a fairly long job.

That was also one of my fears, as the components are quite cheap (I already inquired that), but the hourly rate at Skoda Service is a little bit "spicey" and the mechanic could not give me an estimation regarding the total costs :(

I will pay alot now, because I will have to take the car to service also for the 60.000 km inspection and there is some other stuff that has to be replaced (oil, oil filter, air filter, interior air filter, gas filter perhaps, etc.)

That was also one of my fears' date=' as the components are quite cheap (I already inquired that), but the hourly rate at Skoda Service is a little bit "spicey" and the mechanic could not give me an estimation regarding the total costs :(

I will pay alot now, because I will have to take the car to service also for the 60.000 km inspection and there is some other stuff that has to be replaced (oil, oil filter, air filter, interior air filter, gas filter perhaps, etc.)[/quote']

I was told that the 1.4 8v doesent have a tensioner, the 1.4 16v does but It's made of plastic, Or am I thinking of something else?

That is also what I have learned from these forums (I presume this is also why while at Skoda service the mechanic told me that if I want to get rid of the metallic noise I have to change the chain and pinions and he did not mention anything about tensioning the chain). From my point of view the lack of a tensioner has some major advantages but also disadvantages. The main advantage would be that in this way you have few components (just 2 pinions I suppose and that's it - i've seen a section through this kind of engine somewhere on this forum, but I can't find it anymore). On the other side you lack any adjustment of the chain (not necessary due to wear but also when new, you have some tollerances on the mechanical parts, and for the chain, the tollerances must be very large).

I don't know if the 1.4 16V has a plastic tensioner but if so, I wouldn't buy that. The wear must come very quick and if you change the tensioner I suppose you also have to change the timing chain (unless it has a timing belt I guess).

@mihai: there is no cure for the chain noise. I have changed mine on 42.000km and now it rattles again. It has no tensioner but it's a monster that chain, very very solid.

Daca vrei sa-l schimbi, schimba-l doar din motive de sunet .

I think the 16V engine has a timing belt rather than a chain.

The 16vs have a belt as all the diesel engines in fabia.

The 8vs have chains (double) with no tensioners.

The 12vs have chains (single) with hydraulic tensioners (2).

No its not a big job and not expensive, i've had mine done, took less than an hour (Volks-Tek in dronfield, 01246 292756).

To get to the chain you have to remove the V belt (its behind this), so its best to replace both at the same time (as I did). The rattling is a sign that the tensioner is either broken or loose, if it breaks its bybye engine, get both done asap:thumbup:

The topic is very old... I have done the timing chain change almost two years ago