New guy asking stupid questions here...
1. If my tensioner hasn't failed yet, how would I know that I need to replace the chains and guides as well?
2. Is there any reason why the chains aren't mentioned in the litigation website as being a covered item?
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1. The cam chain was revised to have a different link count/pattern. Supposedly it will resist stretching (a serious issue seen by MANY people) better than the previous revision. I've posted pictures of the different chain revisions many times, including in this thread, but I'll add the photo below as well.
You can get an idea for stretch by using OBDeleven or VAGCOM. If your chain is stretched it needs to be replaced. The old revision chain stretches, it's inevitable. By 100k miles I was at -3.X and almost out of spec. This is typical from what I've seen posted by others. Quote of myself from page 109 of this thread:
I think this has been pretty well covered previously in this thread but I will appease you:
You can measure the camshaft phase position at idle (block 093) using vagcom or OBD2. This number shows how far the camshaft angle is from what the car expects. If this number is out of a certain tolerance (-4 to 4) it is an indication that the camshaft timing chain has stretched or jumped a tooth.
I found my chain guides to be in fine shape but they were cheap enough so I figured I would replace everything at once.
2. I assume the chain is not mentioned in litigation because it is not the weakest link, the tensioner is. The tensioner letting go is what causes engine failure.
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My take is this: First thing anyone worried about their tensioner should do is get under the car and check to see what revision you have. After that get ahold of VAGCOM or OBDeleven and check block 093. If you have the old tensioner you should get it replaced. Then you have to decide whether or not to also do chains/guides. If your chain is getting stretched, ie greater than -2 in block 093, or you plan on keeping the car for the foreseeable future go ahead and replace the cam chain as well. If you have the new tensioner and your chains are starting to stretch I would just keep an eye on block 093 and replace the tensioner/chain assembly when you get near -4.
Read this thread people...all the information is in here. It's daunting but start reading and you will be rewarded.
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Cam chain revisions...Old chain on left, new chain on right.
