Audi S5 - Replacing timing chains on a premium car

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Fri 28 Mar 2025 12:34
Audi S5 - Replacing timing chains on a premium car - craig-pd130

Another interesting video from High Peak Autos: Matt's 2009 S5 (that he'd already spent a fortune on), threw a CEL. Turned out the 4.2 V8 needed new timing chains and tensioners throwing at it, at just over 80K miles.

There's some good footage of the chain set-up (there are 5 chains in total!) and how it all fits together. The video is here, and I won't spoiler the cost of the work, but suffice to say, it fits the old saying that if you buy a used premium car, set aside a budget equal to the purchase price for servicing and repairs!

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Fri 28 Mar 2025 13:23
Audi S5 - Replacing timing chains on a premium car - pd

I very much doubt a chain replacement on a non premium V8 engined car would be significantly different!

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Fri 28 Mar 2025 19:23
Audi S5 - Replacing timing chains on a premium car - Steveieb

Understand the V6 S4 also suffers from chain problems at around 70 k which effectively write off the car unless it’s under extended warranty.

Suddenly a car worth £21 k becomes a big problem to the owner.

The only advice is to listen for a rattle and switch the engine off immediately and get the car recovered to a VW / Audi specialist .

But few other engines gives the combination of power and smoothness .

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Fri 28 Mar 2025 21:40
Audi S5 - Replacing timing chains on a premium car - Engineer Andy

Understand the V6 S4 also suffers from chain problems at around 70 k which effectively write off the car unless it’s under extended warranty.

Suddenly a car worth £21 k becomes a big problem to the owner.

The only advice is to listen for a rattle and switch the engine off immediately and get the car recovered to a VW / Audi specialist .

But few other engines gives the combination of power and smoothness .

Didn't BMW have some nice smooth V6 engines in that era? I think a former neighbour of mine had a 2001-ish 3 Series Compact with a 2.5V6 in it. Always nice sounding and seemed reliable, though not too good in wintry conditions given the amount of power (192bhp) and it was a RWD and an auto.

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Fri 28 Mar 2025 21:49
Audi S5 - Replacing timing chains on a premium car - elekie&a/c doctor
Don’t recall BMW having any V6 engines . Only straight six or V8 .
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Sat 29 Mar 2025 06:52
Audi S5 - Replacing timing chains on a premium car - paul 1963

I had a BMW 325, bit of a handful in the wet if you pressed on, had a 525 as well (actually 2.7 litres) both had lovely smooth straight 6 engines, the Doc is right, bmw have never built a v6.

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Sat 29 Mar 2025 06:52
Audi S5 - Replacing timing chains on a premium car - JonestHon

So if I understand Matt's on message face value chains can be expensive if goes wrong but belts are not?

Surely that depends on the design?! If it is a non- interference motor the risk is somewhat lower?

Also, why is Toyota,Lexus, Subaru etc' do chains setup that rarely ever goes wrong and the like of Nissan, VAG, JLA etc al plant time bombs is some of their designs?

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Sat 29 Mar 2025 21:11
Audi S5 - Replacing timing chains on a premium car - pd

Understand the V6 S4 also suffers from chain problems at around 70 k which effectively write off the car unless it’s under extended warranty.

Suddenly a car worth £21 k becomes a big problem to the owner.

The only advice is to listen for a rattle and switch the engine off immediately and get the car recovered to a VW / Audi specialist .

But few other engines gives the combination of power and smoothness .

Well, apart from some EVs. And at running costs less than a 1.0 small car if you can charge at home!

As for the Audi V8s they are sadly well known for timing chain issues, some petrol V6 as well. At one time Audi used a belt which did need a relatively costly change but was at the front of the engine!

Edited by pd on 29/03/2025 at 21:11

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Sat 29 Mar 2025 09:18
Audi S5 - Replacing timing chains on a premium car - John F

Another interesting video from High Peak Autos: Matt's 2009 S5 (that he'd already spent a fortune on), threw a CEL. Turned out the 4.2 V8 needed new timing chains and tensioners throwing at it, at just over 80K miles.

I watched this interesting video and doubted whether it actually did need a new chain kit at only around half its expected lifespan. The only comment was made that the tensioners were approaching the end of their travel but the actual degree of tensioner, guides and chain wear was not adequately shown. The set-up is not a maintenance item (engine out and gearbox off to get at them) and is designed to last the life of the car assuming good oil changes and average annual mileage (under 10k a year in both UK and Germany).

There were other things wrong with this engine's ancillaries which could have caused its malaise. I was left with the feeling that the replacement of the chains and guides by this obviously amateurish outfit (I think it was mentioned it was the first they had done) was probably unnecessary. After it was reassembled, it wouldn't start, and all the other problems had to be resolved with many more hours of work before it would run properly.

old saying that if you buy a used premium car, set aside a budget equal to the purchase price for servicing and repairs!

A bit OTT. I bought my Audi W12 11 years ago for £12000 at 49,000 miles and set aside no such budget, as I knew its annual mileage would decrease with advancing years. So far it has cost less than £1000 in repairs - and even if it goes bang tomorrow I will have had a most enjoyable decade's moneysworth.

Edited by John F on 29/03/2025 at 09:24

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Sat 29 Mar 2025 18:09
Audi S5 - Replacing timing chains on a premium car - Xileno

I still prefer a belt providing it's easy to access and change. I used to have an 8v Polo years ago, I seem recall I did a belt change in under two hours and that would include taking the waterpump off, new seal and coolant. But there wasn't much in the engine bay, not even a brake servo!

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