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I have a 1.2 TSI 6r with the timing chain engine that has just hit 40k and the dealers mentioned the chain rattling so I'm contemplating having it changed to be safe. Is there anything else I'd need to change along with it? For example water pump or alternator belt ect. Ect.? I know you have to change the pump with a belt but is it the same with a chain? Cheers in advance for your help.

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I was doing a lot of research into this as I was looking to buy a Skoda with this engine. I read on a lot of forums people had had substantial goodwill discounts from dealers as it is a known design fault. The newer cars had a reinforced chains and tensioners.


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I thought they changed to a belt after 2012?

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Asamoli wrote:I thought they changed to a belt after 2012?

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Yes I believe you are right, strange you are having issues with the newer style belt too! Wasn't sure how old your car was.

I would still bring it up with your dealer, doesn't hurt to ask


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It's not a new car its 2011 the engine that has the issues with the chain that's why I thought I'd look into it

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The change of engines did not happen until late 2014 or early 2015 I think, as said, there should be some help from VW over the costs as VW Group changed quite a few parts in the later, maybe 2012 onwards version of that chain driven TSI engine before dumping it in either late 2014 or early 2015 for a revised design of engine with a belt driven camshaft, 16 valves and the turbo swopped to the rear of the engine and probably many other updates.

I think, that if you are getting no help from VW with the cost of replacing bits for revised bits, then if you are keeping this car for a few years and would like to sort it out properly, then you should dig deeper and see what someone maybe on this forum or another Polo forum did and that was to fit a few extra parts from the 2012 on version of this engine and that is thought to fix things properly, by the way, VW would never do that upgrade for you it seems, they would only fit a first or second revision of that chain and some associated other parts which would sort that noise out for a year or so - maybe, but that a proper fix it seems!

Yes, from what I have read it was late 2011 when they began using the new reinforced chains and tensioners(is your car an early 2011?). And then in 2014 they completely redesigned the 1.2tsi to a belt driven system. VW do recognise the issue but there was no real official Recall on it.

You may have to push your dealer a bit. When I was looking at the Skoda with this engine the sales advisor was adamant it was belt driven until I told him to google it and all the issues came up with this engine!

Whatever you do make sure they use the new improved chain system so you don't have to end up changing it in another 5 years!


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