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How do you know if your VR6 needs a timing chain?

39K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  jedduh 
#1 ·
New to jettas and I was wondering how do you know if or when to replace a vr6 timing chain? Where is a good place to buy the parts to do the job.

yes im a noob i bought it thursday!
 
#3 ·
Well you cant really tell if it needs one or not but it is recommended to change it at around 100k even though I know a few people that have made it past 150k and still going. They arent like belts that wear out fast and snap easily but dont last forever either. Better to do it and not have to worry about your engine breaking down, be sure to change the guides as well. (water pump too)...anyways grats on the purchase and welcome
 
#4 ·
after doing more reading i keep hearing ppl talk about intake shift rods. what are those? i know its a good idea to do guides when you do a chain, why are ppl doing the water pump to? is there any way to check and see if the chains have been changed?
 
#6 ·
If it's a GLI VR6 (24v) they don't usually need to be done until 150k, but if it's a GLX VR6 (12v) then they usually need to be done around 100k.

There is a thread around the forum talking about this same topic. It might have been on Vixen's build thread. I don't remember.

Edit: There might be records on the timing chain being done. Most people have timing belts which go quicker than timing chains and usually the water pump goes around the same time.
 
#7 ·
its glx car, but i think to be safe i'll do the chains tensioners and guides. i think it makes sense to do it all at once. since im in there i'll do a clutch to. should i also do a water pump, are they hard to get to? is there good book out listing all the torque specs im gonna need?
 
#8 ·
Water pump will be easy since you're digging into that area anyways. The mk4 bentley manual is the only one you'll find with good vr6 info. We have a .pdf file download in the n00b guide at the top of the page, otherwise you'll have to pay around $80 for the book.

Are the chains making any chatter yet?
 
#10 ·
I have the very same car with 135K - As long as you don't hear any noise, then dont' worry about it. The only way for the timing and their components to failed is that you or the previous owner neglected the oil changes. The timing chain and the guides can go as high as 300K without changing it as long as you change the oil at every 5K miles with full synthetic.

However, the pump with have to be done between 100K - 130K. The common water leakage will be the secondary electric pump. These pumps are not at the same location!! I would do them both at the same time though. As you're doing the main water pump, think about replacing your serpentine belt and test your pulley and see if they need to be replaced as well.

These GLX V6 does not need to have the automatic transmission flushed at 100K miles unless you towed a lot. The only time you need a tranny flushed is when you have a leak and that's when you replace the pan gasket and fill it up with the original transmission fluid.

These are great cars with plenty of power - They're a blast to drive and how easy to can fall in love with them. A word of caution, they're a gas hog, especially during the cold climate. They're also a pain to work on since they're V6 and lack of space to do the work under the hood. For example, replacing the alternator with call for something like 6 hours by the book, but it can be done for 1/2 the time and unorthodox way, not like the 4-cyl engine.

I am looking to trade mine in for something else even though it has been ok of a car and after $800 of repairs.

Best of luck!!
 
#13 ·
im hearing a noise like lifter tick from 2500 to 3500 rpm then it goes away. im guessing its the chain guides? i didnt know there are two pumps on the car i'll have to find a location on here and then try and find them on the car. the clutch seems fine but if i do have to do chains id replace the clutch to.
 
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