3.0 tdi engine falilures/problems

[CaseyJay]

Hello, I'm over in France and still looking for a phase 1 model Q7 and surprised to see the number of ads for 3.0tdi with knackered engines. Most just say they're dead, occasionally they mention crank/conrod problems but nothing head/turbo wise. And there are a lot of engines for sale too (assume accident damaged), so there clearly is a marketplace and need.

Are the French just bad maintainers that they run out of oil or otherwise? Any reliability problems coming up in the UK on this block? Not that I've heard of to be honest so just curious...thx

[Crasher]

Very bad for timing chain problems but it is not the fault of the engine, it is the daft service intervals AND on top of that people abusing these intervals. Tell someone it's 10K clicks and they will push it to 13>15, tell them it's 30k clicks and they will push it to 40, do that three or four times and at around 120K Kilometers the chains say bye bye... They are so expensive to fix retail that they get sold on trade, lashed up in a back street by some shady dude and back onto the market to be abused again, probably worse (people buying something they can just afford but can't afford to run, all the flash but no cash) and with a pre abused engine, disaster waiting to happen

[CaseyJay]

and with a pre abused engine, disaster waiting to happen

sound advice thanks, does explain why I see more and more at the lower price range with patch history, mismatched tyres etc - there's a glut on the market as I guess people are looking for more economical rides...or just things they can afford to maintain that is..

[h2bnd]

Out of interest what is the recommended replacement mileage for the timing chain, I thought the only problems were the inlet manifolds


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[Crasher]

There is no interval, they are supposed to last for life which is fine as long as that "life" doesn't exceede 120k miles ish, which most will. You can add turbo actuator failure to chains and manifolds ohh and the occasional crank damper.

[h2bnd]

Ok thanks I'm at 94k something to look forward too!


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[Crasher]

Do an oil change yourself and if you have an ounce of mechanical sympathy in your body, I challenge your ring piece to not rattle in tune with the chains in those first few terrifying seconds.....

[rowdy-999]

You see plenty of 1/4 mile examples. I wouldn't worry too much.