vr6 Timing chain replacement

[hodgkinsons 0]

Hi, just after some advice before I part with my hard earned cash on a VR6. I have heard the timing chain is best replaced around 100k according to Stealth. Is this the correct advice, this will cost around £600 to do including new valves and other bits and pieces according to them (stealth). I was also advised that this was a good time to change the clutch if not already done the tune of a Further £650 pounds this does include other bits and pieces can't remember the detail. As i'm looking to buy in the £4000 to £5000 area this effectively means if any of the above work isn't done I could be spending around £5500 or more which starts to look at bit expensive for a 100k mile car ant advice appreciated on this.

 

Thanks. :)

[dr_mat 0]

Ok, here's the breakdown (again):

 

clutch comes off to replace the timing chains, so you do it at the same time, no biggie.

Timing chains and clutch job costs £600-£700.

Head recondition job (valve stem seals etc) costs around the same, but can be done more-or-less independantly.

 

But you only have to do the timing chains and head recon IF IT NEEDS IT. They don't all need it till much later in life.

 

It's something to have at the back of your mind, but it's not something that MUST be done.

 

The whole timing chain thing has been escalated to a state of paranoia on this forum, I have to say.

Mine needed doing, at 115k miles. Kev's needed doing at 95k (iirc), some people's hold out till 160k.

 

As they always say: YMMV!

[Supercharged 2]

Who's Kev??

 

The whole timing chain thing has been escalated to a state of paranoia on this forum

 

I know what your saying but it's also true that they don't 'last forever' as VW assume, 100k is about the right interval for safety... I have heard of several VRs, 2.8's and 2.9's which have snapped chains between 140 and 160k's...

[dr_mat 0]

Out of how many that trudge on and on clattering away to themselves and never fail?

I know they're not totally fit-and-forget, and you should consider it important to visually inspect periodically to see what the state is, but assuming they'll need replacement on a set schedule is like replacing your tyres every 4000 miles because that's what your mate does. (Only significantly more expensive! :) )

[Trig 0]

Is it actualy possible to visualy inspect? I thought it was all pretty well hidden, hence why it costs so much to get it done.

 

My VR has done 125k and to my knowlege has not had the chain done, the engine is making no strange noises atm.

 

Also i thought that the chain and clutch job was a bit more pricey than that?

[dinkus 10]

You'll need to take the cam cover off the engine to take a peek under it, but apparently it's not too hard to do (I'd have a search, I think it's been covered somewhere). The plastic tensioner pad is what you want to take a look at, if it's badly scored then it's getting near to replacement time.

 

As you have to drop the gearbox to get to the timing chains, then it makes sense to have the clutch replaced at the same time because most of the cost is the labour.

 

I've actually got a hugely detailed write up on how to do the entire job from start to finish sitting at home that 2cc has written, I've just not had time to compile it yet...

[dr_mat 0]

Price of the job depends on who does it ... There's around £250 of parts there, then about 8-10 hours labour. Dealer rates that's a huge amount of labour (around a grand, no doubt!), but Stealth (which was the example given at the top) don't charge that much, thankfully!

[dinkus 10]

Yup, if you can get there easily, book it in at Stealth. They've done this job a bajillion times so will do it well and probably quicker than most places (thus less labour charge) and on top of all that they're really nice guys and only charge £35ish/hr* labour :)

 

 

 

 

*last time I was there, check first tho, obviously ;)

[dr_mat 0]

£40 last time I was there!

[dinkus 10]

It was about a year ago since I was last there and my memory aint what it used to be...

[StormVR6 0]

Overhaul cylinder head, replace timing chains+parts, replace clutch.

Done in April this year at Stealth, £1,191.50+VAT. Had it done because I could, not because I had to. Sad it may be but I like certain things done before they are completely fecked!

[dazzyvr6 0]

thats a lot of money to fork out for something that MAY not be needed to be done, hodgkinsons, as your in cheshire wouldnt it make sense to take your car to somewhere like awesome gti,could work out cheaper

[StormVR6 0]

thats a lot of money to fork out for something that MAY not be needed to be done, hodgkinsons, as your in cheshire wouldnt it make sense to take your car to somewhere like awesome gti,could work out cheaper

 

Yes it is, I also forked out a lot of money to own a Storm, which considering is "just a VR6 with badges on it", also may not have needed to be done, but I like things to be just so, and besides the money was burning a hole in my pocket.

[dr_mat 0]

Next time the money is burning a hole in your pocket, give me a shout and I'll provide some lead lined pockets .. ;)

[StormVR6 0]

Next time the money is burning a hole in your pocket, give me a shout and I'll provide some lead lined pockets .. ;)

 

:lol: Tried them Dr, they didn't work, Stealth was the only way to extinguish the burning sensation :)

[hodgkinsons 0]

Well thanks guys you've certainly put some clarity on the situation, i guess when I go to look at a car I'll ask if it's been done. So would you recommend just listening to the engine to hear any kind of rattles? I know they can be a bit tappety these VR engines but is the rule of thumb if it's nice and quiet then it's probably a good one?

 

Thanks

[dinkus 10]

It's definitely in need of new chain tensioners if it's rattling, but generally speaking if it's quiet then it's probably alright...for now :)

[dr_mat 0]

It really depends where the clatters come from! The tappets can clatter for years and years (particularly from cold) without any major problems, but the timing chains on the right hand (gearbox) end of the engine should be quiet. But then, even then, once the timing chains get rattley they will usually keep rattling and not break for k's of miles.

But as dinkus says, if they're rattling, start saving.

[dinkus 10]

Yup, it's worth knowing the difference between noisy tapperts (a constant err tappity type noise) and timing chain rattle which sounds like something that's loose and falling about inside the engine (mainly because it usually is). It sounds like a marble in a tin-can and gets noticably worse at around 1100rpm.

 

 

A sound file of some seriously shagged chains ;)

[2cc 0]

Whoa dinkus, that's definitely in need of some surgery.

What we need here is a 'how-to' do the job :) :)

[dinkus 10]

Yeah, I know :oops: I'll try and do it this weekend...

[dazzyvr6 0]

Yeah, I know :oops: I'll try and do it this weekend...

 

nice one,i can look at doing mine then..just need to hire an engine hoist then :)

[Henny 0]

dazzyvr6, you don't need a hoist, you just need a trolley on wheels... Have a look in my gallery for H-YYU and you'll see what I mean... ;) 8)

[dazzyvr6 0]

dazzyvr6, you don't need a hoist, you just need a trolley on wheels... Have a look in my gallery for H-YYU and you'll see what I mean... ;) 8)

 

i see what you mean,didnt think of that :D ,i should of though as i did my mk2 escort the same way(well nearly)

[Henny 0]

hell of a lot easier than lifting the engine out as long as you don't snap one of the bumper bolts... :roll: :oops: