3.0 TDI Timing Chain Rattle
SeriousEngineThe V6 TDI timing chains sit at the rear of the engine and the hydraulic tensioners can weaken, causing cold-start rattle and potential chain jump if ignored.
Most affected: 3.0 TDI
Typical symptoms
- •Loud metallic rattle on cold start
- •Timing fault codes
- •Rough running
What to inspect before you buy
- ✓Insist on a stone-cold start
- ✓Ask for oil change history (avoid long-life 18k intervals)
- ✓Scan for timing correlation faults