Hi all,

I've just passed 42,500 miles on my car, and whilst having it serviced, I enquired about when i should change the timing belt.

I was corrected and told that the engine has a timing chain, and it doesn't need to be replaced.  Is this true?  I checked on the myAudi app, and the additional servicing section, and it doesn't state anything regarding to the timing chain.

I've always had cars with timing belts, so this is new to me.  I also couldn't see the chain from inside the engine bay, so it is hidden or built inside the engine?

Looking on the forums and asking around, there are lots of different views.

Comments and suggestions welcome.  Should i change, and when?  I do have my car serviced regularly and the engine oil changed every 10k or so (although the garage did say i could change to the long life 20k service regime which i might go for??).

Thanks in advance.

Joe

Hello Joe,

I wouldn’t be concerned about timing chain wear at 42K. At 100k -? and then the tensioner. 
Your annual mileage is around 15k? If so, I take it you don’t do much short trip mileage -? 
Servicing :- main dealer? Yes, you could go to the Longlife schedule, and some owners would probably say that would be fine. Me, I’m old school, and favour an oil change at around 10k, but it really depends on your longer term ownership plans. If you intend to change it in the next 3 years, then Longlife might be the way to go. If you are keeping it for longer, then it’s worth thinking about retaining your 10k change schedule. 
Kind regards,

Gareth.

p.s. Do you ‘use’ the stop/start? If so, beware that this significantly increases the stress on chains and belts, and other components.  I guess you will gather that I’m very much averse to this system! 

Thanks for the feedback Gareth.

I was just enquiring about this with the garage (not main dealer, but VW Audi specialists), as i normally change the timing 'belt' every 60-70k (i've had an expensive snap in the past).  I'll re look at this at 100k.

Mines a Plug in hybrid, so doesn't have stop/start.  But i'm guessing as a PHEV it will also put extra strain on the chains and belts everytime the engine 'restarts'.

Yep, i do about 15k a year, but i might as well keep to the oil change every 10k, as i like to keep the car in good condition.

Thanks again,

Joe