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Timing chain OEM Audi or OEM FORD
Mate, this is probably the timing chain and tensioner.
You’ve already got **P0016**, stalling at idle, worse with start stop, and some cold start noise. That’s all early timing issues on these.
Pros: early timing issues
Cons: stalling at idle
Vehicle:
Audi Q3
I had something similar just done. Started with leaking gaskets so I went on ahead and got the timing chain, cam phasers, water pump...all changed out.
Pros: parts all changed out
Cons: leaking gaskets
Vehicle:
Ford
My 4.0 V6 Mustang has not jumped timing and destroyed the engine despite the 4.0 being infamous for it at very low mileage. It's probably because I actually take care of my car and change the oil regularly.
Pros: timing chain reliable, engine not destroyed
Vehicle:
Ford Mustang
My Q7 with the 3.0 Superchsrged has only adjusted timing due to chain wear by a degree or two from last I checked. 8 degrees is considered immediate chain replacement, and I have 100k miles
Pros: minimal chain wear
Vehicle:
Audi Q7
Mileage: 100000 km
Seen a few comments about the 1.0 ecoboost wet belts. The post 2018 focus/fiesta moved to a timing chain on some cars (the only way to conclusively check this is by looking under the bonet)
Vehicle:
Ford Focus
The 4.0 SOHC timing chain is basically a deathnail to these because it's such a big labor intensive "engine-out" job. That and rust. The rocker panels under the plastic trim, etc. If the 5R55E transmission had problems, it was usually just a valve body problem, and you can buy a rebuilt upgraded valve body for $200. So it was an easy fix. Also a lot of body parts for these have become unobtanium. If you need a fender you'll need to find one at a salvage yard. Mechanically most of the parts were the same as a Ranger, so plenty of parts availability there.
Pros: easy transmission fix, Ranger parts availability
Cons: timing chain issues, rust, unobtainable body parts
Engine grenaded. Timing chain issue.
Cons: timing chain issue
Vehicle:
Ford
I decided against the allroad due to the ea888 engine issues. I can deal with some problems but was not willing to deal with the flawed and fragile timing chain/guide failures along with the low tension piston ring problems. It’s a shame because I love these allroads. I ended up buying a 2020 Volvo xc60 which thus far has been problem free but it’s not a forever vehicle and I’ll probably dump it when it gets close to 100k on the clock. It’s a real shame that Audi doesn’t seem capable of building a solid engine anymore. The Audi timing chain service will set you back $3-$5k and even more if the piston rings get clogged and stuck. Audi has known about both problems for many years and does nothing to improve this engine. Volvo had piston ring issues for a few years but addressed the problem in 2017 and up engines. I prefer a timing belt vs a chain. The Volvo timing belt interval is 150k miles and not terribly expensive. My ea113 VW timing belt is super easy to replace and has a 110,000 mile interval. From an engineering perspective the belt is superior with less weight and more teeth per area. If Audi would put the good old ea113 in an allroad I’d buy it. Keen Audi fans will note that when the tts came out Audi dusted off the ea113 to use in that highly boosted model because they knew it was a much stronger engine.
Pros: superior design (timing belt)
Cons: flawed, fragile, low tension, expensive service
Vehicle:
Audi A4 allroad
What I did not know is that the Audi timing chains are *designed* to stretch. Yes you read that right. They stretch. They use both metallic *and* interlocking plastic components and will slowly over time reach a point where your timing is subtly off (and the sensors "designed" to warn you of this do NOT warn you soon enough). This, combined with my wife largely driving it like a grandma, slowly and silently destroyed my catalytic converter required a massive overhaul of both the exhaust system and timing chain, pulleys, etc.
Cons: designed to stretch, caused catalytic converter damage, expensive overhaul
Vehicle:
Audi Q5
Mileage: 80000 km
1976 Ford Custom 500, 400 ci, timing chain lifted off the sprockets, 3 cam lobes were rounded. Oil was regularly changed.
Cons: chain lifted, cam lobes rounded
Vehicle:
Ford
Mileage: 60000 km
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Which timing chain to choose — OEM Audi or OEM FORD?
If choosing timing chain across many manufacturers, check the part ranking. If your choice is down to two brands, the PartReview part comparisons help.
We compare timing chain across these categories:
- PR Score.
- Overall ranking.
- Vote balance.
- Average rating.
- Number of reviews.
- Feature ratings.
- Car owners’ choice.
Which timing chain are better — OEM FORD or OEM Audi?
In March 2026 on PartReview, timing chain OEM Audi were overall better than OEM FORD.
- OEM Audi received a PR Score of 58 out of 100, and OEM FORD scored 50 points.
- OEM Audi ranked 3 in the overall ranking, and OEM FORD ranked 4.
- The average rating is higher for OEM Audi (3) than for OEM FORD (2.7).
-
Timing chain OEM Audi have better feature ratings than OEM FORD:
- Warning light - owners believe, that this property for OEM Audi is better than OEM FORD.
- Starting - drivers claim, that this property for OEM Audi is outperforms OEM FORD.
- Rattle - reviews suggest, that this property for OEM FORD is preferred to OEM Audi.
Which timing chain are more popular — OEM Audi or OEM FORD?
In March 2026 on PartReview, timing chain OEM Audi were overall more popular than OEM FORD.
By vote balance, timing chain OEM Audi surpassed OEM FORD:
- For OEM Audi, the ratio of positive (20) to negative (14) votes is 6 votes.
- For OEM FORD, the ratio of positive (16) to negative (16) votes is 0 votes.
By number of reviews, timing chain OEM Audi surpassed OEM FORD:
- For timing chain OEM Audi there are 11 reviews: 6 positive, 1 neutral, 4 negative.
- For timing chain OEM FORD there are 10 reviews: 4 positive, 2 neutral, 4 negative.
Which timing chain do car owners prefer — OEM Audi or OEM FORD?
In March 2026, according to PartReview, timing chain OEM Audi and OEM FORD have not taken top places in car-specific ratings. You can help by adding your review about these manufacturers.
Other comparisons of timing chain
If this comparison didn’t fully answer your question, there are many others on PartReview.
For example, comparisons of timing chain OEM Audi with: OEM Volkswagen, OEM BMW.
Also available: comparisons of timing chain OEM FORD with: OEM Volkswagen, OEM BMW.
You can also see who is better among other timing chain manufacturers: OEM BMW or OEM Volkswagen, OEM Audi or OEM Volkswagen, OEM Volkswagen or OEM FORD, OEM Audi or OEM BMW, OEM BMW or OEM FORD.