Hi - not usually so quick to engage but saw your questions, and once you've shared the car details - SJP above - I'm sure you'll get a load of helpful advice.
In the meantime, and if your engine is the same as mine (Gen 2 EA888) I'm happy to share anything useful from my own experience last year. My TT had done over 130,00 miles and still had the factory-fitted timing chain tensioner, so I was very keen to get the thing swapped out, and at the same time renew all the associated bits and pieces while the side of the engine was off.
Depending on your car, the tensioner can go at any time once the engine has 60,000 plus on the clock, and will ruin your engine, so you will most likely be right to get the work done ASAP.
I decided to do the work myself, bought all genuine Audi parts and researched the hell out of the full process. I replaced the following.
- Timing Chain tensioner
- Balance Shaft Chian tensioner
- Timing chain, balance shaft chain and oil pump chain
- All chain guides, bolts etc
- Crank Bolt
- Engine mount bolts
- Upper and lower timing covers, seals and bolts
- Cam Bridge seal
- Serpentine Belt
- Turbo seal
- I also put a new oil dip stick on and you'll be replacing the oil filter before re-filling the engine oil.
My view, whilst if you know what you're doing and can identify good quality after-market parts, is that for a critical job like the timing gear refurb, you should get the best components for peace of mind. This obviously depends on many things - your budget, how long you intend to keep the car, whether you want to do the job yourself etc, etc.
By the way, I managed to remove all the parts and replace them but asked a garage to put everything back together. If I had had somewhere under cover, rather than on my drive, I would have been able to complete it all myself, however, don't underestimate the amount of work involved - or the importance of getting it right!
I think I spent around ÂŁ800 on genuine parts - then another ÂŁ900 on the garage fee to re-assemble. Audi had quoted me for around 7 hrs labour to do the job, but I've seen a video where an american mechanic did the main part of the job in a
very short space of time. I reccon the Audi route would have cost
If you decide to get a garage to do this for you, choose them carefully. Many wont take on this job, either because they're too busy with MOT repairs or because they dont have the experience to do this particular work.
Happy to share any other general advice form my own experience if it helps.