Chain Rattle

[SW VR6 0]

Hi,

Posted some of this on the newbie section, but thought I'd post it here too. Apologies if you've seen this twice...

I've owned my VR6 for 6 months now - the car is a standard 97 R-reg with 87k on the clock, full VW history, and in pretty much mint condition.

Car has always run very smoothly, except that the timing chain(s) have recently started to rattle. Seemed to happen very suddenly - over the course of a week or so.

I've had the upper guide rail and tensioner replaced but the problem is still there. The rattle seems to occur at very specific engine speeds (between 1200 and 1500rpm), with little to no noise on idle. I had a look at the guide rail that was replaced and there was some wear on it, but nothing really to speak of.

I'm just wondering what to do next. I know chains need replacing on higher mileage examples, but with 87k seems a bit early - especially on a car with a good history??

Dropping the 'box out and replacing both chains seems a little drastic, but don't really know what else to do.

I've taken the car to 2 VW specialists - both reckon its the chains. One garage suggested having a full engine flush in case there is an oil blockage somewhere. Not really sure what would cause this, but it's got to be worth a try before forking out for a full timing chain replacement.

Any thoughts / ideas / suggestions greatly appreciated.

[acf8181 0]

i have a sound clip of chain rattle if you wanna compare, log on to MSN andadd me - acf8181@hotmail.com

it sounds like one of the runners or tensioners has come apart if it happened very suddenly.

if it is this then you're playing russian roulette with your engine and the chain could jump a few teeth and kill the engine any time.

[simonvr6 0]

hello mate you need really to stop driving it,coz the chain will skip cog teeth causing costly damage. your lower guide,tensioner might be at fault, etc.87k is not that high,its just one of those dreaded things. it could of been 87k of tear assing about.history dont show how fast and mad the car was driven.and chains stretch but not to the extent they flap about.but i know of 2 vr's which had chains done at the stealer @49k and the other @66k.and a full engine flush to cure a mechanical rattle what B*****ks.ill be attempting mine soon.we've all got to do it one day.