1.4 TFSI CAXC Timing Chain

[AI1694]

My wife’s A3 with the 1.4 TFSI (engine code CAXC) has started to rattle on startup even when engine is warm at times.

I’ve serviced the car every year (6k miles) and mileage is currently at 76,000.

I’ve done some reading and at this stage I may be able to get away with a tensioner change - can someone confirm this?

Also, how much is the job likely to cost?

[ManicMunky]

I think they're hydraulic tensioners so rely on oil pressure. "Some" noise is normal on startup, though.

[va1o]

I had that problem with the same engine a few years ago. The rattle got a lot worse to the point it would sometimes sound like that whilst running (i.e. not just at startup). It was diagnosed with a stretched timing chain if I rememeber right and the camshaft needed replacing too.

Depending at what stage yours is at you may get away with just replacing the tensioner. However that is still quite an expensive job owing to the labour stripping down the engine, so you might as well do the chain too whilst you're in there.

[AI1694]

Just to update, I gave the car a full service and haven’t heard the noise since.
Early days yet but hoping it doesn’t return. Out of interest, I did call up a few indy’s for quotes on replacing the chain. Around the £700 mark. I was also told the noise could be the chain, tensioner, camshaft adjuster, or even the vvt solenoid! It’s actually a good little engine, quiet, refined and nippy. Did not know it had the potential for these issues though.

In case anyone is wondering it’s the single turbo 1.4 engine that makes 122bhp.

[AI1694]

va1o said:

I had that problem with the same engine a few years ago. The rattle got a lot worse to the point it would sometimes sound like that whilst running (i.e. not just at startup). It was diagnosed with a stretched timing chain if I rememeber right and the camshaft needed replacing too.

Depending at what stage yours is at you may get away with just replacing the tensioner. However that is still quite an expensive job owing to the labour stripping down the engine, so you might as well do the chain too whilst you're in there.

How much did you end up paying? If you don’t mind me asking of course..

[stevemcs]

We have a 1.8tsi booked in for Monday with suspected tensioner failure. I don't know if the 1.4 has the same tensioner as the 1.8 but they fail without warning. We have done a couple of the 1.4 Polo engines from stretched chains, not the TSi though

[va1o]

AI1694 said:

How much did you end up paying? If you don’t mind me asking of course..

I'd taken out an extended warranty as I was getting nervous it was going to prove a problematic engine. So luckily that covered it!