I posted in another thread, but thought I might add it here as a point of reference for anyone else.
Last year at 85k I had a local shop replace the entire timing chain kit (both tensioners, chain, guides, cover, all of it). They also replaced my old diaphragm DV which was full of oil (???), and I decided to go stage I APR because why not spend all my money, right?.
When they tore it apart, the timing chain was near failure (according to them, they showed me but I couldn't tell), exhaust timing had skipped a tooth (not noticeable to me while driving, and no CEL), and the chain itself had stretched nearly an inch.
So happy that I had this all replaced and that this work was not a bunch of money for nothing. I was worried it might be "internet forum paranoia" but I was sick with it and wanted to stop worrying.
The new timing chain is also a "triple link" design versus the "double link" design on my car. They said this was relatively new.
On a side note, after they did the work, I no longer leak oil, at least so far...
When I bought the car at 21,000 miles in 2013 I was burning about a quart every 2000-2500 miles. It has slowly gotten worse and I was currently at about 1 quart every 1500-2000 miles.
I was using Castrol from 21k to 60k. At 60k I started using Motul 8100 Xcess. No real difference in consumption between the 2 oils.
I am about to do my 2nd oil change since getting that work done and I have yet to notice the oil go any lower on the stick...
Just for my own curiosity, could it have been the DV causing that much oil to "disappear"? Could the timing cover have been leaking that bad, I never noticed a leak there before... Could it have been a combination of the 2?
LOVE the fact that I do not have to carry around quarts of oil in my trunk anymore and I hope this continues.
Getting close to 100k and I hope she makes it to 200k!
