Changing timing chain - always engine out job?

[Craig 0]

As above, is it?

Does is make a difference which car is being worked on? Specifically, would the engine still have to come out if the car was a Passat VR6?

Just curious.

[mightyvr6 0]

No the engine doesn't have to come out on any vr6 equipped car, just the gearbox.

[Craig 0]

Ah ... I seem to recall reading that the engine had to come out. So you have to remove the gearbox to do the timing chains? Is there any significant difference between manual and auto? (ie. is one easier than the other?)

[mightyvr6 0]

Yeah you have to remove the gearbox as the cover plates which cover the chains can't be removed with the 'box in situe. Can't imagine an auto being any more difficult but that's just a guess.

[antera309 3]

It is possible to do the job with the engine in the car and the gearbox removed on its own, but it is a lot easier to do if you take the engine out as well.