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KITH Cars Garage — Hackbridge, South London

Timing Chain Replacement in Hackbridge, South London

Timing chain replacement at KITH Cars Garage in Hackbridge covers all makes and models. We specialise in BMW N47 diesel, Mercedes OM651, Vauxhall 1.6 CDTi, VW/Skoda/SEAT 1.2 TSI, Renault 1.2 TCe, and Peugeot/Citroën 1.2 PureTech timing chains. Written quote before work begins.

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★★★★★ 4.9/5 — 87 Google Reviews
🕑 Mon–Sat 8am–8pm
📍 Hackbridge SM6 7HN
Timing Chain Replacement South London
Pricing

Transparent pricing — written quote before any work begins

Timing chain replacement from £550 including all parts and labour. BMW N47 from £950 (engine must be lowered). Mercedes OM651 from £1,100 (balance shaft module included). VW/Skoda/SEAT 1.2 TSI from £650. Renault 1.2 TCe from £750. Peugeot/Citroën 1.2 PureTech from £700. All prices include full chain kit, oil and filter. Written quote before work begins.

Written quote
Before any work begins
12-month warranty
Parts and labour
Mon–Sat 8am–8pm
Extended hours
OEM-equivalent parts
Manufacturer spec

What does the timing chain do?

The timing chain connects the crankshaft to the camshaft(s) and keeps them rotating in precise synchronisation. Every time the crankshaft rotates, the chain ensures the camshaft rotates at exactly half the speed, opening and closing the valves at the exact moment the piston needs them. A stretched or slack chain causes timing errors, misfires, poor performance, and — if it skips teeth or snaps — catastrophic engine damage.

Which engines have known timing chain problems?

BMW N47 2.0d diesel (2007–2013) — fitted to 1, 3 and 5 Series, X1, X3 and Countryman. The chain tensioner fails from the rear of the engine, making replacement a major job requiring engine removal or lowering. Mercedes OM651 2.0/2.2 CDI diesel (2008–2016) — fitted to A, C, E Class, Sprinter and Vito. Both the timing chain and balance shaft module fail simultaneously. VW/Audi/Skoda/SEAT 1.2 TSI petrol (2007–2016) — plastic tensioner cracks and chain slackens. Vauxhall/Saab/Fiat 1.6/1.4 CDTi diesel — tensioner design allows premature stretch. Renault 1.2 TCe petrol (2012–2017) — plastic tensioner failure on Megane, Captur, Clio. Peugeot/Citroën 1.2 PureTech petrol (2012–2018) — same plastic tensioner failure across PSA Group vehicles.

Symptoms of timing chain failure

Cold start rattle that disappears within 30–60 seconds as oil pressure builds — this is the clearest indicator. Engine cutting out unexpectedly, particularly at speed or on acceleration. Fault codes P0008, P0016, P0017 (camshaft/crankshaft correlation), or timing chain tensioner codes. Engine misfire. Loss of power. On VW 1.2 TSI engines, the chain can jump teeth and send the car into limp mode or stop the engine entirely. On BMW N47, the chain wears from the rear tensioner — rattling is often heard most prominently from the back of the engine.

What is replaced during a timing chain job?

A complete timing chain kit includes: the primary chain, all secondary chains (where fitted), chain guides (plastic rails the chain runs against), the hydraulic tensioner(s), VVT solenoids (where relevant), and all relevant seals and gaskets. We also replace the engine oil and filter immediately after the job — fresh oil from the start ensures the new components bed in correctly. On BMW N47 engines, the rear crankshaft seal is also replaced as access is available during the job.

Can a timing chain be repaired rather than replaced?

No. A stretched chain must be replaced. There is no adjustment or shortening procedure. Once a chain has stretched or a tensioner has failed, the entire kit must be replaced. Fitting a new tensioner to a worn chain does not restore timing accuracy — the chain must go with it.

What happens if timing chain replacement is ignored?

The chain continues to stretch. At some point it jumps a tooth or two on the crankshaft or camshaft sprocket — at this point timing is wrong and the engine misfires severely or stops. On interference engines (which is the majority of modern engines) the pistons contact the open valves when timing is wrong. Valves bend. Pistons can be damaged. The cylinder head must be removed and rebuilt or replaced, and the chain kit replaced anyway. A timing chain job that costs £700–£1,200 becomes a £3,000–£5,000 engine rebuild.

Book your timing chain replacement

Unit 1, Soho Mills, London Road, Hackbridge SM6 7HN.
Mon–Sat 8am–8pm.

Get a Free Quote Call 020 4629 9469
020 4629 9469
Hackbridge SM6 7HN
Mon–Sat 8am–8pm
★★★★★ 4.9/5
87 Google reviews
Frequently asked questions

Timing Chain Replacement in South London — Questions Answered

Common questions about timing chain replacement at KITH Cars Garage, Hackbridge.

My car rattles on cold start then stops. Is this the timing chain?

Almost certainly yes if the rattle comes from the top front or top rear of the engine and stops within 30–60 seconds as the oil pressure builds. This is the chain tensioner not holding the chain taught until oil pressure is established. Book an inspection immediately — this symptom means the tensioner is failing and the chain is wearing.

How urgent is timing chain replacement?

Very urgent once symptoms appear. The cold start rattle can progress to chain jump (skipping teeth) at any time. Chain jump causes severe engine damage and the repair cost escalates from a chain kit job to a full engine rebuild or replacement. Do not delay once symptoms are present.

How do I know if my car has a BMW N47 engine?

The N47 is fitted to BMW 118d, 120d, 318d, 320d, 520d, 523d, X1 20d and X3 20d from approximately 2007 to 2013. If your BMW diesel was built between these years and you can feel or hear a cold-start rattle from the rear of the engine, the N47 timing chain is the likely cause.

Does the timing chain replacement include the water pump?

Not as standard — but if the water pump is driven by the timing chain or is in the same area as the chain, we recommend replacing it at the same time. BMW N47 and most other chain-driven engines do not have the water pump in the chain circuit. We advise on any additional components based on your specific vehicle.

How long does a timing chain replacement take?

A VW 1.2 TSI or Vauxhall CDTi chain job takes approximately 6–8 hours. A BMW N47 takes 12–16 hours because the engine must be partially removed. A Mercedes OM651 takes 10–14 hours with balance shaft replacement. We usually need the vehicle for 2–3 days for N47 and OM651 jobs.

Can a timing chain replacement be done without removing the engine?

On most engines yes. On the BMW N47 the engine must be lowered or removed to access the rear timing chain cover — this is a known requirement and adds significantly to the labour time. On all other makes we service, the chain is accessed from the front without engine removal.

Is a timing chain the same as a timing belt (cambelt)?

No. A timing belt is made of reinforced rubber and must be replaced at a set interval (typically 5 years or 60,000 miles). A timing chain is metal and is designed to last the life of the engine — but on the engines listed above, it fails prematurely due to design issues.

My VW 1.2 TSI has a rattling noise. How much will it cost?

A VW, Skoda, SEAT or Audi 1.2 TSI timing chain kit replacement at KITH Cars starts from £650 including all parts and labour. This covers Golf Mk6, Polo 6R, Octavia Mk2, Fabia Mk2, Leon Mk2, Ibiza 6J and all related models with the 1.2 TSI engine.

Will a timing chain replacement be covered by my extended warranty?

Many extended warranty policies cover timing chain failure as it is a mechanical component failure. Check your policy documents or call your warranty provider. We can assist with warranty claims by providing a written diagnostic report and parts/labour invoice.

What oil should I use after timing chain replacement?

The correct manufacturer-specification fully synthetic oil for your engine. On BMW N47, BMW Longlife LL-04 5W-30 is mandatory. On VW 1.2 TSI, VW 504.00/507.00 5W-30. We use the correct specification for your engine as part of every timing chain job — the oil change is included.

Can I drive my car with a timing chain rattle?

Short distances at low speed only. Do not rev the engine hard or drive at motorway speed with a timing chain rattle. The chain rattle means the tensioner is not maintaining chain tension — at higher revs and loads the risk of the chain jumping teeth is significantly higher.

Does the timing chain stretch over time?

Yes. Like any chain under load, the rollers and pins wear microscopic amounts with every revolution. Over hundreds of thousands of revolutions this accumulates into measurable stretch. The chain tensioner compensates for this by pushing the chain guide outward — but on the affected engines, the tensioner itself fails before the chain has stretched enough to require replacement in a well-designed engine.

Can I get a timing chain replaced elsewhere and it will be cheaper?

You may find a lower quote. The timing chain kit quality varies enormously — cheap kits use inferior tensioner designs that can fail again within 30,000 miles. We use OEM-equivalent kits from INA, Febi, or the original equipment supplier. The cheapest option on a timing chain job is rarely the best value.

What is the difference between a timing chain and a VVT solenoid fault?

The VVT (Variable Valve Timing) solenoid controls oil flow to the VVT actuator on the camshaft. A faulty solenoid can cause similar fault codes to a timing chain fault (camshaft correlation codes) but the cure is different — solenoid replacement vs chain kit. We diagnose which is the actual cause before recommending parts.

Do Peugeot 208 and Citroën C3 have the PureTech timing chain problem?

Yes. All pre-2018 Peugeot 208, 308, 3008, Citroën C3, C4, Berlingo, and Vauxhall/Opel Corsa and Astra with the 1.2 PureTech engine are affected. PSA issued a service campaign for this issue. At KITH Cars, timing chain replacement on PureTech engines starts from £700 including the full kit and oil change.

Can the timing chain damage valves?

Yes. On interference engines (where the piston travels into the space vacated by the valve when closed), if the chain jumps teeth and the valve is open at the wrong time, the piston hits the open valve. The valve bends or breaks. The piston may crack. This is why preventative replacement on known problematic engines is so important.

How do I know if my timing chain has already jumped?

If the engine has misfired severely, stalled unexpectedly, or produces a significant amount of smoke alongside the rattle, the chain may have already jumped. A compression test and cylinder leak-down test will confirm whether valve damage has occurred. If it has, a timing chain replacement alone will not fix the engine.

Does Renault Megane 1.2 TCe have the timing chain problem?

Yes. The 1.2 TCe engine in Renault Megane Mk3 (2012–2017), Captur Mk1 (2013–2018), and Clio Mk4 (2013–2019) has the same plastic tensioner failure issue. Cold start rattle is the warning. Replacement at KITH Cars starts from £750 including the full INA or SNR chain kit.

Is it worth replacing the timing chain on a high-mileage car?

If the rest of the engine is in good condition — no excessive oil consumption, good compression, no bearing noise — yes. A timing chain job on a car with 120,000 miles that otherwise runs well is worth doing. The cost is a fraction of a replacement engine or new car.

What is the balance shaft issue on Mercedes OM651 diesels?

The OM651 engine has a balance shaft module (a secondary shaft system that reduces engine vibration). The bearing in this module fails at the same time as the timing chain, often due to restricted oil flow from carbon deposits. Both must be replaced together — replacing just the timing chain without the balance shaft module on this engine is likely to result in a repeat failure within 20,000–30,000 miles.

Do you guarantee timing chain work?

Yes. All timing chain work at KITH Cars is covered by a 12-month or 12,000-mile warranty on parts and labour. If the new chain or tensioner fails within the warranty period, we replace it free of charge.

Can you give me a quote for timing chain replacement over the phone?

We can give an indicative price over the phone for most common engines. For an accurate quote we need to confirm the engine code and mileage. Call 020 4629 9469 or use the booking form and we will respond with a written quote.

Where is KITH Cars Garage for timing chain replacement in South London?

Unit 1, Soho Mills, London Road, Hackbridge SM6 7HN. Open Mon–Sat 8am–8pm. Serving Sutton, Croydon, Mitcham, Wallington, Carshalton and all of South London.
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Why choose KITH Cars Garage?

Written quote before any work begins
No surprises on collection. Every time.
Workmanship warranty on every repair
12-month parts and labour warranty included.
OEM-equivalent parts to manufacturer spec
Textar, TRW, Brembo, MANN, Mahle, INA.
Pick-up & drop-off across South London
Croydon, Sutton, Mitcham, Carshalton & more.
Mon–Sat 8am–8pm
Extended hours for you.
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Google Reviews

What our customers say

Rated 4.9 ★ on Google — 87+ reviews

★★★★★

“BMW 1 Series needed a new timing chain and clutch. Fair price, courtesy car offered. Stands out from most garages.”

Aaron Konadu
★★★★★

“Professional, no upselling, everything explained clearly. Work completed same day and car runs perfectly.”

Ziaur Rahman
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“Rare to find a garage you can truly trust. Fair price, brilliant service. Will always come back.”

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Areas we serve from Hackbridge

Serving all of South London

Croydon · Sutton · Mitcham · Wallington · Carshalton · Beddington · Thornton Heath · Rosehill · Morden · Purley · Wimbledon · Streatham · Tooting · Norbury · Coulsdon · Cheam · Worcester Park

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