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Author Topic: Cam chain, tensioner... How to determine adjuster??  (Read 20919 times)

Offline bimbound

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Re: Cam chain, tensioner... How to determine adjuster??
« Reply #15 on: October 06, 2015, 03:35:34 pm »
@bimbound did you end up getting this done?

Did you replace the adjuster? In the same boat myself but could do without replacing the adjuster from a cost perspective.

@Peskyjones did you get this done without the adjuster as well?

I'm booked in to have it done next week.. Taking a punt on not having the adjustor done.. If when its all back together it hasn't solved the noise then they'll take it off again and replace the adjustor. Hopefully it doesn't need it, if it does then I lose out on the cost of some labour but hey that's what a gamble is all about

Offline -AC-

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Re: Cam chain, tensioner... How to determine adjuster??
« Reply #16 on: October 08, 2015, 08:46:34 am »
Let me know how you get on @bimbound, I'm taking the chance of not replacing the adjuster myself at the weekend all being well.

Offline bimbound

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Re: Cam chain, tensioner... How to determine adjuster??
« Reply #17 on: October 13, 2015, 06:30:03 pm »

Let me know how you get on @bimbound, I'm taking the chance of not replacing the adjuster myself at the weekend all being well.

Had the car in the garage today. Chain and tensioner replaced and the difference is night and day... Sounds like a different car from in the cabin and stood outside. Adjuster was not needed. Garage said the chain was very visibly stretched, so I'm glad I had it done.

Offline Pesky jones

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Re: Cam chain, tensioner... How to determine adjuster??
« Reply #18 on: October 13, 2015, 10:42:41 pm »

Let me know how you get on @bimbound, I'm taking the chance of not replacing the adjuster myself at the weekend all being well.

Had the car in the garage today. Chain and tensioner replaced and the difference is night and day... Sounds like a different car from in the cabin and stood outside. Adjuster was not needed. Garage said the chain was very visibly stretched, so I'm glad I had it done.

 Did you go to an independent?

How much all in?

Offline bimbound

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Re: Cam chain, tensioner... How to determine adjuster??
« Reply #19 on: October 14, 2015, 03:14:35 pm »


Let me know how you get on @bimbound, I'm taking the chance of not replacing the adjuster myself at the weekend all being well.

Had the car in the garage today. Chain and tensioner replaced and the difference is night and day... Sounds like a different car from in the cabin and stood outside. Adjuster was not needed. Garage said the chain was very visibly stretched, so I'm glad I had it done.

 Did you go to an independent?

How much all in?

Yea an independent specialist... Who is actually a specialist!!

The number of 'VW specialists' I called that informed me my car 'doesn't have a chain' is nothing short of unnerving!

£335 all in. Allow for a bit more as apparently there is a bolt that can be a nuisance to remove which will increase the labour. Mine it seems was ok to remove

I've found the garage I will be using from now on.

Offline Pesky jones

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Re: Cam chain, tensioner... How to determine adjuster??
« Reply #20 on: October 14, 2015, 03:18:35 pm »
That seems like a really good price. Where is the garage you used?

Offline bimbound

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Re: Cam chain, tensioner... How to determine adjuster??
« Reply #21 on: October 14, 2015, 03:58:51 pm »

That seems like a really good price. Where is the garage you used?

In Exeter, it's about a 45 minute drive for me but worth it to go to somewhere that's know what they are doing..

Offline -AC-

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Re: Cam chain, tensioner... How to determine adjuster??
« Reply #22 on: October 16, 2015, 01:28:44 pm »
Great news @bimbound , I'm still waiting on the polydrive tool to arrive so I can get mine done. Like you, I'm not going to do the adjuster.

Still all going ok? Nice and quiet? :)

Offline bimbound

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Re: Cam chain, tensioner... How to determine adjuster??
« Reply #23 on: October 16, 2015, 11:03:31 pm »

Great news @bimbound , I'm still waiting on the polydrive tool to arrive so I can get mine done. Like you, I'm not going to do the adjuster.

Still all going ok? Nice and quiet? :)

Let us know how you get on! All good now, literally like I'm in a different car when I stop at traffic lights etc.

Offline graham-gti

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Re: Cam chain, tensioner... How to determine adjuster??
« Reply #24 on: October 18, 2015, 05:07:44 pm »
So do our cars have just a chain or do they have a belt?? Sorry but confused.


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Offline Pesky jones

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Re: Cam chain, tensioner... How to determine adjuster??
« Reply #25 on: October 18, 2015, 05:11:14 pm »
You have a cam belt (a belt) on one side of the cam shaft (one side of the engine) and on the other side of the cam shaft you have a cam chain(chain)

So both...

Offline graham-gti

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Re: Cam chain, tensioner... How to determine adjuster??
« Reply #26 on: October 18, 2015, 05:11:53 pm »
Haha great thanks mate. What side is the chain and tensioner on?


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Offline Pesky jones

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Re: Cam chain, tensioner... How to determine adjuster??
« Reply #27 on: October 18, 2015, 05:13:54 pm »
If you're looking at the engine the chain and tensioner etc are on the right hand side, but they have a cover on so you won't be able to see them. It's near the fuel pump if you know where that is.

You can physically see the cambelt on the left hand side of the engine, well part of it

Offline graham-gti

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Re: Cam chain, tensioner... How to determine adjuster??
« Reply #28 on: October 18, 2015, 05:14:51 pm »
Wicked thanks. I have a bit of a tapping noise from the top left side :/


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Offline Pesky jones

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Re: Cam chain, tensioner... How to determine adjuster??
« Reply #29 on: October 18, 2015, 05:23:39 pm »
It could just be the injectors. The tfsi injectors make that sort of noise. As far as I'm aware the best way to distinguish the injector noise from the bad chain, tensioner etc noise is

If it's is a higher pitch tapping that you can hear from the front of the car and from the engine then it is probably the injectors which is normal

If you get in the car with the doors closed and the car is up to temp, and it is a deeper noise you can hear which is seperate from the injector noise then it is the chain etc.

Hope that makes sense. It may be wrong but that's what I've been led to believe