md21722, I assume my mechanic measured the chain stretch one way or another as I specifically asked him to inspect it while he had the cover off to do valve adjustment. I don't think he dismissed chain stretch as a possibility. Besides he listed a bunch of other things on my car that he recommended replacing so I believe if he lied to me it was about what needed to be done, not what didn't need to be done.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL