Theengine has 160,000 miles on it, i have read that at 200,000 miles the timing chain should be done. I have took the gearbox off and removed timing chain Quoted 0 Post (s) Re: 3.0 Tdi Cam belt or cam chain – 18-03-2012, 09:04 PM. yep, definately chains and recommended replacement seems to be around the 180k to 200k though some done more, however I'll be making sure I have part ex'd it by then as apparently it's an engine out job and £1000+ bill. Timingchain tensioners failing is a common problem on VW/Audi engines. And the 2.7 TDI engine is no exception. The timing chain tensioner’s job is to maintain the timing belt taut so that the engine’s timing can be managed and the camshafts, oil pump, and balance shaft can be driven. However, this issue is often encountered on early 3.0 Hi- My 2015 Q5 has close to 85K miles. I took it in recently for oil change at the dealer. After sometime, the service technician told that the timing chain is extended by 5" and will need to be replaced in next 5K/10K miles. Quoted around $2500 for timing chain replacement! Asthis part lasts longer than a timing belt these will be changed between the 120,000 to 150,000-kilometer mark of a vehicle. However, this will still depend on the engine and the specifications of the manufacturer. It is also important to keep the timing chain well lubricated as using the wrong viscosity oil could damage the timing chain pins Theres really no telling when this should be performed. There have been cases of chains failing @60k or @100k. Audi lists this as a lifetime item so you can interpret that how you want. Lifetime to Audi might mean the life of OEM warranty whereas the average joe might translate lifetime indicating the life of the car. . #2. The VW / Audi UK guidance is generally 4 or 5 years, but you may see from internet research that this is subject to debate! Guidance for continental Europe is often that the belt is for a much higher time or distance Withthe only V6 diesel in its class, the third generation 3.0 litre V6 TDI engine delivers an impressive 550Nm of torque from just 1,500 rpm. And that’s just the start. The Overboost function adds another 15kW of power, reaching up to 180kW max while producing an extra 30-40Nm of torque. MnL4.