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DIY: TSI Timing Chain Tensioner Update

ErBall

Measurement Mogul
Here is a simple DIY for updating your timing chain tensioner. This was done over the course of an afternoon with both myself and Eurocars from MKV.

I would not recommend doing this job without the factory tool to hold the cranckshaft (necessary to remove the crankshaft bolt), or a 1/2 impact gun. Removing the crankshaft bolt is very difficult without it. I would also not recommend doing this without very short triple square bits (necessary for removing the lower engine mount).

This is not an idiots guide, and if this makes you feel nervous, I would avoid doing the job yourself.

Remove noise pipe:

Pull off washer fluid fill tube:

Unbolt the overflow tank and move it out of the way:


Pull the fender liner & remove Turbo outlet pipe:

Drain Oil:

Support the engine with a jack and block of wood:

Remove passenger side engine mount:

Remove engine mount bracket: (going to need short triple squares here for the three bolts)

Remove dipstick: (2 torx screws)

Tape over dipstick hole to avoid debris entering the oil pan:

Remove serpentine belt:

The notch on the crank pulley will have to line up with the mark on the front cover: (this puts cylinder one to TDC)

Mark on crank pulley:

Remove crank pulley and unbolt front cover. There is one bolt underneath the serpentine belt tensioner that is quite difficult to get to. You have two options: remove the belt tensioner entirely, or (the much easier method), remove the pulley itself, and retract the tensioner to have enough clearence to get to the last bolt holding the cover on. Zip tie timing chain together and pull tensioner:

Install the new tensioner and pull the retaining clip to allow piston in the tensioner to push on the guide:

Special tool: We made this to hold the crankshaft in place. We ended up using this in conjunction with an impact gun to pull the bolt. There is a factory tool to do this, and it's pretty cheap.



Let me know if you guys have any questions and I'll do what I can to help.
 
Last edited:

ErBall

Measurement Mogul
It's really not hard, just need to be prepared ahead of time.

I would strongly recommend getting a new cover, but others have made due without. I know i bent mine pretty thoroughly when I switched them. My persistent timing rattle has completely gone away though.

Needless to say I'm pretty happy.
 

Zillon

Go Kart Champion
If you're getting close to the end of your powertrain warranty, might be a good idea to replace it with the latest revision.

The tensioner failures seem to be hit and miss, but if it does fail, goodbye engine.

Honestly, this is not anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be. Great writeup.
 

ViRtUaLheretic

╭∩╮(︶__︶&#6
Added to the TSI FAQ, Thanks!
 

Bruno2000

Ready to race!

TXBDan

Go Kart Champion
How is the clearance on the crank pulley bolt for the impact gun?

The crank bolt should be replaced shouldn't it?

I think i saw in your other thread that you had PNs for the sealant, cover, bolt, etc. Can you provide those here?

Thanks a lot for doing this!
 
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