Dephaser Pulley Megane

[racingsnake]

Hi all, just a question from a work collegue, her car has developed a noise on cold start up.
Apparently her 1.6 16V Megane needs a repair or replacement to the "dephaser pulley."
Is this common? What is it? (is it a balancer shaft pulley?.)
How much do you guys reckon to fix at a dealer?
I have no experience of these engines.
Any help much appreciated.
Thanks

[Mr Jenks]

Very common and sadly very expensive in the dealers. The sprocket on the inlet camshaft is adjustable for timing advance but it wears internally and wont lock correctly. Rattling noise is caused by inner section of dephaser snapping forward and back against resistance of camshaft and valve springs. Care though, none of the timing belt pulleys are keyed onto camshafts or crankshaft.

[racingsnake]

Thanks Mr Jenks.