TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER AMK AUQ

[nak]

Just would like to know if the timing chain tensioner, is transferable between these engines, have an AUQ engine with bottom end seized, due to large hole in sump, loss of oil, inspected top end and all looks brand new only done 24k, mine is noisey on start up and when changing gear when pushing throttle back on(can hear slight rattling noise), what is the diffrence between these engines, will i be able to use most parts, if i required to, thanks

 

[nak]

Bump, anybody, help me out on this

 

[wibble111]

Why not compare part numbers?

 

[Mr.G]

Had this exact same problem when i purchased my car , i thought it was a rattle on a heatshield or something so continued with the purchased. Little did i know it was an expensive mistake, cost me around £1000 of which the garage contributed some after some lengthy telephone calls and a lot of arguing.

I know how frustrating it is too. Audi said "DO NOT DRIVE" the car, it needs to be loft here when i took it to them to diagnose. I pooped myself when they said that.

I would imagine that you can use the same parts as i wouldn't think that Audi would make two types of VVTI unit for what is essentially the same engine. Don't quote me though, make a quick phonecall to the local stealer and pop the question to be 100%.

I know it's a lot of work as my car was with the specialist for around 2 weeks (he works alone) and was waiting for parts. Had a new cambelt done and water pump at the same time to be sure, although the cambelt was only done the previous year, pointless putting a used one back on i was told.

Hope you get it sorted mate.

G

 

[nak]

Thanks for replies Guys, part numbers tally, will double check again tomorrow, Mr. G, glad to know you had the same problem, because i thought the same, sounds like a heat sheild, but then i thought why was it only doing it on gear changing, i've already had oil pump done and oil pick up pipe cleaned, so yep heading the way of the VVTI unit, but i've been told just drive it, as long as there is no permanent noise from it, is this correct or not, just need to clarify, for i don't want to damage the engine, does not give me any problems apart from rattle.

 

[alijames]

Yeah, that's what I was told. If it only makes a noise at startup which goes away after a few seconds, It's not a serious problem. Major problems with the VVTI unit will trigger an Engine Fault.

Cheers,

 

[nak]

Thanks alijames for quick reply, are you taking into consideration the slight rattling noise i am getting on gear change, which i think is the VVTI unit not taking up slack quick enough, cheers

 

[Mr.G]

Nak,

If i were you i'd refrain from driving it. I know Audi wanted money but it's not as if they are short of it now is it? A local garge saying the same thing might have prompted me to do otherwise after saying don't drive it.

Yours like mine is doing it under engine load in the first instance, as in gear change, engaging the clutch and putting power down to accelerate. The fact the chains are loose at this point, causing the rattle is what frightened me and the fact i don't want bent valves prompted me to sort it that very same week.

There is piece of mind and that is worth more than the money spent in my opinion, all i could do while driving it was worry at any moment it might break altogether.

Any rattle from loose chains has to be a fairly major issue with a performance car like the ones we own.

I had my VVTI replaced, the timing chains, tensioner, oil pick up pipe (which was the original cause of the problem and a common failure of the 1.8T engine) so a £10 part and the fact that these Audi longlife service plans are the biggest load of pants ever caused me no end of stress and money.

However it's been perfect since, and fair play the specialist was 100% spot on with the diagnosis first time, he really did do his homework and was very thorough at replacing everything that was needed.

He even noticed a bolt missing in the engine mount which Audi had taken out as it only ever went to Audi for it's servicing. FASH before i purchased it. Shocking.....to say the least.

My view, get it sorted asap, don't drive it at high speeds, or boost it where you don't need to.


G

 

[Mr.G]

Forgot to add, you wont see any faults at all from the VVTI unit as it's primed from oil pressure, the fact that the chains are rattling is down to the lack of oil getting to the top of the engine via these pick up oil pipes, the AUDI/BMW trained technician at my specialists, who was also the owner explained in great detail what had happened and even went to the trouble of showing me all the parts he replaced.

The gauss on the bottom of the oil pick up pipework was sludged on my particular car.

Vacgom will show nothing at all, all you'll get is this rattle.

G

 

[nak]

Mr.G to the rescue again, thanks for all the advice, only thing that has pi--ed me off is, first guy i took it to, said it was VVTI unit, second guy told me it was oil pump and pick up pipe and told me to go with him and save myself some money for he was definately sure, got to take it back to him, for i have a oil leak aswell, could'nt of made a good job of putting sump back on, not happy at all and already took £300 off me, where i could of had it done by the first guy £650, thats with all done VVti unit, oil pick up, head clean, cambelt(complete kit) and water pump, by the first guy, oh dear

 

[Mr.G]

Nightmare.....

I guess hindsight is a wonderful thing. Anyway, take it to the person you trust the most or i guess the person you have the more faith in to do the job right in the first place.

I almost had Audi do it, but i'm glad i didn't. It cost the same for it all to be done, as i said earlier around £1000 but it was well worth it. Engine is strong now and very very quiet, loads quieter than my previous 2 S3's had been.

Ask for a metal impeller water pump also. Earlier ones are plastic.

I'd get the VVTI unit replaced also, might as well do it all while the top end is off.

Let us know how you get on, be interesting to know the outcome.

G

 

[nak]

Ok Mr.G, i know lower end is done now apart from oil leak, so get this sorted out first, i might tackle it myself with a friends help, he's the brains, for i have all parts on AUQ engine and like i said, beens it lost oil so quick from large hole in sump, it seems big ends seized up and shows signs of it, but on inspection of top end today, on taking rocker box cover off, no signs of any damage, so why spend out on parts, when i already have parts from a 24k engine, will see, but i'll let you know, cheers

 

[nak]

My S3's gone in today to have everything done, gone with the first guys that had a look at it, explained what had happened, but they where ok about it and glad i took it back to them and told me not to worry, they will make sure all is good with it, before they call me to collect it, they are using the VVT unit out of the 24K cylinder block (AUQ engine), which has saved me £300, replacing cambelt with full kit, waterpump, coolant, Temp sender unit, so hopefully all good.

 

[nak]

Problem resolved, VVTi unit replaced, sounds so much better on start up, rattling noise gone, on changing gear.
Comment was made on how clean, the cylinder head was from the AUQ engine, so as Midland VW, where doing the job, they replaced all that could be swopped, VVTi unit, camshafts, timing chain and so on.
New cam belt and tensioning roller, new water pump and coolant. Sump removed, checked oil pump, feedback brand new oil pump, sump resealed, interim service, coolant sensor replaced and new rockerbox cover gasket kit.
Got told to take it easy for about 500 miles, already done that, had to get down to Devon and back on the weekend, S3 is running sweet as
Just like to thank the boys and girls at MIDLAND VW absolutely professional's in their fields.

 

[Mr.G]

Great news. Another S3 lives again