Dean_Fuller

Did a search and really didn't find but one place that said 928's don't need to change the chain and tensioner.....I will be starting a TB/WP on my 89 and wanted to see if it was necessary to do the Cam chain and its tensioner as well....What say you keeper of all that is 928???

AO

THere is no prescribed interval that I know of. The chian should be good for the life of the engine, but the tensioner pads do wear. If you have the cam covers off, take a pic and post it. My engine had 130k miles ont he clock when I changed them. The main wear pad (Top on the pass side, Bottom ont he Dvr side IIRC) was about 50% worn. I decided to go ahead and replace the pads anyway.

RyanPerrella

Chain should be replaced whenever the car suffers a timing belt failure.

Other then that there is no specific time or reasoning to replace the chain.

Tensioner should be fine, if anything just replace pads, but if your just doing a timing belt/WP job dont bother with any of that as it requires you pulling the valve covers off which is something you wouldnt have to do to simply replace the belt.

ROG100

If you are removing your cam covers and the car is a keeper I would say yes.
Other than that it would depend on how many miles your car has done

Dean_Fuller

My car has 121000 miles on it. TB and WP was replaced at 82000 miles in 2002 so its time ...to be on the safe side. I just don't know about the chain. I hate to remove the Valve covers if I don't have to....but if it saves a motor then YES I will. BTW...I am LOVING this S4!

Dean_Fuller

Andrew...did you change just the pads? or the chains as well? Are the chains without master links? I would think if they have a master it would be easy to change...you wouldn't have to pull a cam shaft.

AO

If that valve covers are leaking (which I suspect they might be at this age) or need painting, it's one of the WYAIT jobs. Of course no one can say with certainty if your pads are good or not until you open it up, but I would venture that you're just about due based on mileage alone. You might get 1-3 more seasons or more, but then you might not too... BTW, It's not that hard of a job. You can do it in a day as long as you're not re-coating the cam covers.

AO

I only changed the pads. The chain looked brand new. I don't recall seeing a master link, so you would have to pull both cams if you wanted to replace the chain.

ROG100

Standard Bilstein chains do not have a master link.
I have sold some racing chains and I seem to remember they do

Tom in Austin

I had leaking cam cover gaskets and re-painted the covers and so switched out the pads while I had it all apart. Definitely a good WYAIT. And Roger has these little jewels for a very reasonable price, so no reason not to tend to this while everything's opened up.

Dean_Fuller

Hey Roger,
Does that mean the racing chains can be added without pulling a cam Shaft??? Will they fit stock cam gears??

AO

Dean,
You're obviously fixated on replacing the chains, but I honestly don't think they'll ever need replacing. Just my $9.28.

Dean_Fuller

I hear ya Andrew....just ...if it were just a few bucks...and I was in there already....and I don't have to pull cam shafts....then one less thing to worry about....If it requires pulling the cam shafts then I think just pads sound just fine.

AO

That's expensive logic... Where does it stop?

Seriously, the chains are not a considered a wear item. You'll see when you get in there. I'd be more concerned with the tensioner pads, plugs at the ends of the heads and all the the other seals.

ROG100

Dean,
I agree with Andrew. I sell very few chains unless someone is doing a complete engine rebuild.
Check the pads and go from there.
Roger