When I start my 2007 1.8 tdci with 180k miles you can sometimes hear few seconds of chain rattle, presumably before tensioner fills up with oil, you can also hear chain rattle sometimes when coming of the accelerator paddle quickly and also when turning off the engine (as if the chain was stretched). I also have some uneven idle problems when engine is hot which were not solved by any of my previous endeavours (injectors, DMF, EGR, engine mounts etc...). Therefor I am asking has anyone had any trouble with the chain tensioner failing or chain stretching on 1.8 tdci? Also has anyone replaced their chain or tensioner or even wet belt for a new chain kit, which brand did you use if you didn’t use original Ford parts? If I go the route of replacing the timing chain I can buy the kits from these brands (from cheapest to most expensive): BGA, FAI, SKF, Dayco. Any recommendations? I know dayco developed the notorious wet belt in later 1.8 tdci, but don’t know if they were the manufacturers of the older chain.

Hello Jan, on a 2007 (15 year old) Focus and 180,000 miles on the clock, I'd just buy the cheapest kit.