Timing chain

[TezDS3]

I've just had my car go into the garage because my timing chain stretched, there was no boost then fault came up. Originally they said if it had stretched enough it would have to be replaced but instead they have just tightened it. Can a timing chain be tightened?

[Gazski66]

With the issues on timing chains I would ask for it to be replaced

[cyclone]

I've just had my car go into the garage because my timing chain stretched, there was no boost then fault came up. Originally they said if it had stretched enough it would have to be replaced but instead they have just tightened it. Can a timing chain be tightened?

There is a procedurer in the manual for "resetting the timing chain" to be preformed after checking if the chain is streched and found to be within tolerance.

[TezDS3]

With the issues on timing chains I would ask for it to be replaced

We did originally ask for it to be replaced but was told it had to be measured to make sure it has stretched enough for it to be replaced. They won't replace it now because it has been fixed and as far as they are concerned they have done what they had to.

There is a procedurer in the manual for "resetting the timing chain" to be preformed after checking if the chain is streched and found to be within tolerance.

Thanks, that's obviously what they have done.

I know it sounds stupid but I'm hoping the fault comes back (within 6 months!!) so I can hopefully get them to change it rather than fix it. We had problems before with them wiping fault codes and telling us there's nothing wrong, turned out it was a faulty fuel pump, and I had to go back at least once a week for a month to get it sorted. Why are they so useless!?

[lfcrule1972]

Dealer support seems to be v hit and miss Mine has always been really good (Tates in Crawley) but have read other horror stories on here with different dealers...

[monkeynuts]

When I had mine one failed at 16K the other at 35K both were completely changed with all new parts chain tensioner and wheels X2

When they go there is no warning loads of grunt one minute nothing the next .The tensioner just fails and the timing retards to save the engine

If it was me I would push for complete fix not just a bodge

[Chris_Blue]

It can be tightened but a very hit and miss affair
More than likely more problems ahead unless its renewed

[TezDS3]

Thanks guys. I've tried to get them to change it but they said they've fixed the problem and there's nothing else they can do as it doesn't need replacing because its been tightened! I might as well bang my head against a brick wall! It does seem fine now but I am very aware it's probably going to happen again and unfortunately there's not much I can do about it

[Owd git]

The cam timing on mine was re-set over two years ago and the original chain was retained. I've stopped worrying about it.

[DaveB]

I wonder if the "timing chain stretch" thing is something of a red herring? Chains don't stretch as such, they just wear at the pivots, causing elongation. If the tensioner fails the valve timing may be affected, giving similar symptoms. I'm not familiar with the DS3 engine control system, but maybe it's sensing camshaft position as well as crankshaft position & flagging up an out of tolerance relationship between the two as chain stretch?

[monkeynuts]

I wonder if the "timing chain stretch" thing is something of a red herring? Chains don't stretch as such, they just wear at the pivots, causing elongation. If the tensioner fails the valve timing may be affected, giving similar symptoms. I'm not familiar with the DS3 engine control system, but maybe it's sensing camshaft position as well as crankshaft position & flagging up an out of tolerance relationship between the two as chain stretch?

I think its the tensioner that fails and the chain goes slack so the timing fails also I done think the timing wheels are on a keyed shaft so unless fitted correctly can move .

Both the failures I had the timing slipped then corrected itself numerous times before the car had made it to the dealer .

I feel maybe I was lucky coz the dealer was on the ball and without much grief did the change (twice) in less than 20K

After it failed for the 2nd time the car was binned

[TezDS3]

Thanks I hadn't thought about it being the tensioner instead of the chain itself because the code said chain elongation and the garage said it might have stretched that's just what I presumed was wrong. I'll just have to see how it goes but it's back to its normal boost now so fine for the time being. Does anyone know how much it would cost to have replaced if the warranty has run out and it happens again?

[Jamie@SPTuning]

The parts to replace the whole timing gear aren't that expensive, no more than a full timing belt kit on some cars.

[Chris_Blue]

Just all the labour to put it all together- an intricate job