Seat Ibiza Chill - Timing Chain or belt

[georgenorth]

What do they have and when do they need replacing.

[DFMM]

Only the 1.2 6V and 12V engines (3 cylinder, light alloy, only the 12V fitted to SEATs) have chain-driven camshafts, and they DO give trouble. During 2004 a revised cam-tensioner kit came out.
The old one was prone to its plastic chain tensioner parts breaking up, but poor oil-changing may contribute, as the left-hand plastic part gets its thrust from a hydraulic capsule, just like the units in the valve-gear ;-- the cam/s operate via rockers with rollers and hydraulic capsules.
The revised kit costs almost £300 inc VaT & labour, if you catch it before the standard plastics break and the chain jumps sprockets, bending valves.
One owner had his chain break at 35,000 miles, but dealers say some cars are still OK at 60,000 miles. Use good oil and change it frequently.

[DFMM]

Only the 1.2 6V and 12V engines (3 cylinder, light alloy, only the 12V fitted to SEATs) have chain-driven camshafts, and they DO give trouble. During 2004 a revised cam-tensioner kit came out.
The old one was prone to its plastic chain tensioner parts breaking up, but poor oil-changing may contribute, as the left-hand plastic part gets its thrust from a hydraulic capsule, just like the units in the valve-gear ;-- the cam/s operate via rockers with rollers and hydraulic capsules.
The revised kit costs almost £300 inc VaT & labour, if you catch it before the standard plastics break and the chain jumps sprockets, bending valves.
One owner had his chain break at 35,000 miles, but dealers say some cars are still OK at 60,000 miles. Use good oil and change it frequently.