1.4 Timing Chains

[RoccoScientist]

RW1, Do you know if anything has been done about the timing chain issues the TSI engines have had (mostly the older, 103 kW and 125 kW variants of the 1.4 TSI)? Some still seem to come up on forums (even with the singly charged 90 kW 1.4 TSI engine), but would you consider this normal variation in quality?

[RW1]

From what I know..... no. Not showing a production change.

Chains are just replaced when the customer makes a point that the engine is running erractically and/or the engine warning lamp is ON.

Dealer finds diagnostic faults for Lambda, Camshaft, Fuel Control & Turbo Waste gate.

Instruction is to check the valve timing.
Replace the chain if stretched, together with the chain tensioner.
Clean out the oil supply pipe to the turbo
Remove the oil separator bolts in the top of the chain housing and refit the bolts with locking compound. (If a bolt is missing already, check for damage)
Replace the crankcase breather valve (if fitted).
And bring the engine ECU upto latest map.

Affects Scirocco 122/160PS as well as lesser powered engines. Not heard of it happening though with a Scirocco. And it looks like older 1.4Tsi block variant engines mainly affected, ie. not CAXA & CAVD engine codes, more the A** and B** engine coded engines.

Chain stretch isn't new, VR6 engines getting on for 160,000Km (100,000 miles) sometimes exhibit stretching. VW said the chains would not ever need changing for the life time of the engine.
But this one is above 20,000 Km (12,500 miles).

C.

[RoccoScientist]

Thank you, RW1. I'd heard rumours that after the older versions started to have timing chain problems VW would have changed the subcontractor that makes the timing chains, but even if this was true, it might not solve the issues. Chain stretch is of course nothing new, but people have had to have the chain and chain tensioner replaced with less than 60,000 km on the clock. There was one guy on a Finnish VW-forum with a 160 PS Scirocco who complained about a typical sympton of a faulty timing chain (a rattling sound that lasted for a few seconds at startup) and then had the "camshaft adjuster" (freely translated, I'm not sure what the correct term is) replaced - and he had driven his 'rocco only for 40 000 km.

Would you mind if I shared this on a Finnish VW-forum? I'd have to translate the text, but I'd post a link to the original. Same goes for the text about misfires.

P.S. Does the "Clean out the oil supply pipe to the turbo" have something to do with the fact that in the earlier versions of the twincharged engine the oil supply pipes had insufficient heat shielding which could cause the turbo break? Or is this a normal precaution related to timing chain issues?

[RW1]

Thank you, RW1. I'd heard rumours that after the older versions started to have timing chain problems VW would have changed the subcontractor that makes the timing chains, but even if this was true, it might not solve the issues. Chain stretch is of course nothing new, but people have had to have the chain and chain tensioner replaced with less than 60,000 km on the clock.

VAG will source parts from more than one supplier which adds to the variability of it occurring or not.

There was one guy on a Finnish VW-forum with a 160 PS Scirocco who complained about a typical sympton of a faulty timing chain (a rattling sound that lasted for a few seconds at startup) and then had the "camshaft adjuster" (freely translated, I'm not sure what the correct term is) replaced - and he had driven his 'rocco only for 40 000 km.

Not the same thing, yes called the camshaft adjuster. Sits on the end of the inlet cam at the top of the timing chain housing and changes the valve timing during first minute of running depending on engine temperature and rpm. Makes the engine retain exhaust gas to give a fast warm up without the need to have a Exhaust Gas Re-circulation valve off the exhaust. So the catalytic converter/lambda system can become operable much earlier like the EGR valve system.

It has been problematic in its own right, particularly at cold start up for a few seconds. Often confused by the owner with the simulated "EGR" warm-up dieselling noise heard on a normal 1.4 for upto 30 seconds depending on engine temperature at start-up. It is more of a mechanical clatter sound. 40,000Km is typical of forum reports with this one. But there are not many.

Would you mind if I shared this on a Finnish VW-forum? I'd have to translate the text, but I'd post a link to the original. Same goes for the text about misfires.

Not a problem.

P.S. Does the "Clean out the oil supply pipe to the turbo" have something to do with the fact that in the earlier versions of the twincharged engine the oil supply pipes had insufficient heat shielding which could cause the turbo break? Or is this a normal precaution related to timing chain issues?

Don't think so, more what you would expect after metal shards have appeared in the oil so the whole oil system needs cleaning and new oil/oil filter. The alumium corrugated foil tubing was added to the pipe, which if not fitted, the part with the foil tubing must be fitted while this slack chain rectification is being performed.

C.