A3 1.8TFSI 8p Cam Chain Tensioner

[JDT25]

Hi Gents

As stated in the topic my Audi's cam chain tensioner has decided to pack up.

I have taken the car to a mechanic shop in Centurion as i am based in Pretoria, so today i received my quotation and they are charging me R10,500 for the replacement of my cam chain tensioner (without a new chain or guides just the tensioner, oil, oil filter and intake oil pressure regulator). I think this is a bit steep, so i thought that i would turn to my fellow vw club member and ask for some advise.

Have any of you guys experienced this before, what did it cost you? Then also do you guys think that is reasonable for the amount of work, as they charged R5500 just for labour .

[THANAS]

By pack up do you mean it has become noisy or it has failed and the car won't start?

[JDT25]

The car still runs just on idle for a few seconds (when i start the car) sounds like a tractor, and low rpms while driving. The car still runs i just don't want to drive it a the moment as i am scared of bending valves. Also while i was driving when this happened my engine light came on and when making the noise my EPC light flashes.

Hope this helps and that it makes sense

[THANAS]

Okay, rather don't drive the car at all until the tensioner has been replaced. A failed tensioner is a R40k or more repair bill.

[amstel18]

Sounds steep. My freeway plan record shows that it was replaced albeit back in 2015, at a total cost of 4029. Doubt its everything though. That was parts and labour.

[JDT25]

Yep that is why i got i towed to the shop.

According to the mechanic there is a siff behind the tensioner that holds the pressure, and that is where the problem is.

While posting this i made a phone call to e-tuners and they said if i have no engine damage, the repair cost would be somewhere in the region of 5k which sounds a whole lot better.

[JDT25]

Sounds steep. My freeway plan record shows that it was replaced albeit back in 2015, at a total cost of 4029. Doubt its everything though. That was parts and labour.

That sound more like it, hopefully i can also get the repairs done in that price range

[amstel18]

Sounds steep. My freeway plan record shows that it was replaced albeit back in 2015, at a total cost of 4029. Doubt its everything though. That was parts and labour.

That sound more like it, hopefully i can also get the repairs done in that price range

Maybe contact audi directly? Cause this was done under warranty.

[JDT25]

So i am going to revive one of my old threads hear because i think people need to know this.

As described above my car had to go in for a cam chain tensioner that went bad.

Also as mentioned above i took the car to e-tuners as they were substantially better priced that the previous quote i got. To my surprise that was not the case... My car had been with e-tuners for +- a month (in May 2017) worth of repairs after they have replaced my cam chain with guides, tensioner and cam chain bridge they also had to strip the whole assembly about 5 times because my car still had the same symptoms as before. Eventually after they had to ask a friend who is a master mechanic, who then told them to replace my intake cam shaft as this MIGHT be the problem. Well in my case after paying for the intake cam shaft my car was "fixed". Just note i haven't seen my car since the day i dropped it off the first time.

Let's just say that after my car was "fixed" i had to take my car back to e-tuners 4 times for an oil leak which is still not resolved, my car does not pull like it use to, until i hit 3000rpm then it seems to be fine. And now since about a month ago i have a massive coolant leak (have to refill everyday).

i am sorry that i had to name drop but i just thought i would let everyone know about my experience with them.

And does someone maybe have some advise for me with the above mentioned problems?

[THANAS]

Well that's a nightmare :/ wish I could be of help. What error codes are you getting?

[JDT25]

Well that's a nightmare :/ wish I could be of help. What error codes are you getting?

I will be scanning the car tomorrow to see what codes i get, thus far nothing oh and i had to replace coils

[amstel18]

Hmmm so your car stands at a mechanic for a WHOLE MONTH, but you don't bother going there to see whats up?

Something like this and I will be there almost daily

[JDT25]

So yesterday i decided to lift the car and have a look myself.

My whole sump was covered in oil (leaking very badly). there was air pushing through the tappet cover which was not sealed properly after they replaced the intake camshaft.

As for error codes i had no error codes when flashed.

I took the car back to E-tuners and made an appointment for tomorrow to sort out the mess they made. I Hope the car would be the same and hopefully the last time it has to go back to a garage.

I will keep you updated.

[JDT25]

Hmmm so your car stands at a mechanic for a WHOLE MONTH, but you don't bother going there to see whats up?

Something like this and I will be there almost daily

I know, thinking back i would have done things differently.