It's been annoying as hell idling like an F-350 Super Duty for the last week or so, but I finally have some time to replace the cam tensioner this week.

The unit itself is around $750 base from a dealer, but I've been shopping around and found that fcpgroton ($330) and ecstuning ($300) seem to offer a fair price for what they claim is an OEM part. Has anyone else ever found one of these for less? There's always eBay, but I'm sure that we're all well aware that while parts there are priced a little lower (the lowest I saw was $225) the quality might be suspect.

Most if not all the parts I have replaced in my A4 are OEM, and I'm certainly not afraid to pay a premium for quality I know I can trust. Personally, I'm probably going to buy the OEM part and write off any possibility of a $75 savings here, but I'm still curious to know if anyone has had any success with a non OEM part in a situation like this.

 

I've had goodluck buying everything (stock replacement stuff) from ecstuning. They've had decent prices.


I'm not familiar with 1.8t's but are you sure its a chain, on ecs it looks like a they have timing belt kits that include the tensioner and belt for under $200.

 

ECS sells both and aftermarket and original manufacture parts, it seems both of them are around $300 which is WAY cheaper than they used to be. The tensioners were over $600 with the electrical connector not but a year ago. I have used an aftermarket cam tensioner on other peoples cars with no problems. In fact im running an aftermarket one from ECS now and have put 40k on it so far without any problems. They should (in theory) never go bad on you, it only takes a crap when the oil pressure is non existant.

P.S. When you install the new tensioner, it may chatter for a few hours until its broken in, so don't immediately shut off your engine if you hear it after the install.

 

You're correct that the engine runs a timing belt, but that drives the exhaust cam only (same on the 30v V6 - t-belt drives the exhaust cams). The intake cam(s) is/are driven off the exhaust cam(s) by a chain assembly inside the head. It's the tensioner for that chain that the OP is talking about.

 

Thanks for the reply guys. Parts are on order and it looks I'll be getting started in time for the weekend!

 

they're more expensive for the 2.8 though. good luck with the change and i hope it solves your problem. check you pulleys too, if they're a loose they make a similar sound

 

Ohh good point...