TSI Timing Chain Stretch
SeriousEngineEarly small-capacity TSI petrol engines can develop chain stretch and catastrophic timing slip.
Most affected: 1.2 TSI, 1.4 TSI
Typical symptoms
- •Cold-start rattle
- •Rough idle
- •Engine light or timing correlation fault
What to inspect before you buy
- ✓Do a genuine cold start
- ✓Ask for chain/tensioner replacement proof
- ✓Avoid any car where the seller calls the rattle normal