DICKEAST

Yes, me too, along with the chain slipping and beaking the 'guide' on the top of the head, you could also see that the end bearing on the head had had a touch of oil starvation and the cam shaft and bearing showed distinct wear!

Hi, Mine (see previous posts in this topc) was serviced regularly on a fixed basis, ... didn't stop it dying tho' :-(

I read a copy of WHICH yesterday, and the Octavia was up in the top few for reliability with cost per repair at a very low level!! :p I think that none of us are subscribers/ involved in their stats!! @chew --- definately press for more than 20%, they are having a laugh.

£600 ish is what I was quoted, .... but the cost of a new engine is a lot more

I can't be sure about this but, ... my tensioner was also at the side. On my engine there was a piece of plastic mounted on part of the head (it pushed down on the cam chain) near the cams that broke off when the valves hit the pistons. I think the ONLY way to be sure is to pull the engine apart and check that it's the latest version.

HI also, I'm in wheathampstead.

Why you cynic I must say I'm tempted to agree, but I think my point:- is still valid. :think:

I haven't noticed any of the latest iteration (mk4 I think) -- but you would be in a very strong position to beat SUK up if the chain skipped AFTER they had changed the tensioner!!

Hi Gents, I have seen/had a quote somewhere (either on the forum or actually from a dealer) - and it's about £600 - includes the tensioner and water pump and other stuff that gets worn out or needs replacement due to the procedure. Cheaper than an engine replacement (unless you are lucky enough to get SUK to pay of course!!)

Hi, Well I've got my car back now, Progress were very(?) helpfull and got the cost down to just under £2400 for the new engine! 60% contribution from SUK customer service and themselves. I got the following from one of the men there " The lower timing cover was removed, the piston on the tensioner was found to be moving on test, and not sticking in. was checked several times, before rebuilding engine complete, that has been now returned to Skoda. As discussed from previous findings and from evidence of heat damage to upper engine, an oil supply issue indicates the main cause of the engine failure. " To expand on the "heat damage" - one of the bearing surfaces on one of the camshafts was somewhat shot - I saw it and it had obviously run dry for a period of time as both the camshaft and the bearing in the head were somewhat damaged... not enough to blow the engine but a point to be aware of. I would suggest that a close watch on oil level and frequent changes are the order of the day!!!

@nigelD -- thanks for the info.. I'll see if I can get the dealer to put pen to paper on that and consider SOGA route. I wasn't aware that 6 years was the limit, are there any other restrictions (mileage)? Someone asked about Palmers/ Citygate - as far as I can tell Palmers have been bought by Citygate, which in turn is owned by Skoda. (That's what I was told by an ex-Skoda dealership. A lot of the big dealers are run as "franchises" by Skoda/VAG. also info from same source. If I'm wrong--sorry!

Just to add my car to the ever growing list .. 59 plate octavia VRS (with a timing CHAIN) would not start - no warning, yup the chain had slipped and bang when the valves -- new engine on the way, SUK reasonably helpfull 60% contribution as outside warantee > 3years & > 60k miles (actually about 76K) Skoda factory no assistance at all ---total bill at the moment 2700 (approx) ... grr

re - the title of this post ---- definately I have just had mine go. the head is shafted and I am trying to get skoda to pay for the damage ... new engine I think. It's a '59 plate VRS

I have been told that it is a chain so I would agree it's a TSI if that's the difference... just looked on google images and I'd say that it looks the same as the audi picture (except obviousy mine has Skoda written on the cover )

M0bov--- sorry I don't know what "FMDSH" is? Full service history? if so, then yes. No, no 3rd party cover.Russler,Dr Zoidburg, -- I think that it's a TSI but not sure, does it matter in regards to my question?

Hi, I think that I am about to go down the same route as some of the writers above. I gave my car a '59 Octavia VRS to a "meet & greet" company at Heathrow, went off on holiday and on my return was phoned by them saying that they couldn't start it. To cut a long story short, it is now in a garage (no compression and they are saying that the timing chain has probably jumped). I am currently waiting for them to actually pull it apart and tell me the actual damage. and the potential cost! :sweat: It's got about 75K on the clock btw. Any advice on how to get SUK to cough up for any costs would be gratefully recieved.

I plugged it in with the ignition key out, then turned the key on (but didn't start the car) which is what you said I think. I can clear the engine warning light but gives linking error if I try to read the code(s)

Hi, I bought a U281 code reader to check out the errors causing my engine warning light to come on. But it says linking error. Have I got the right thing, or is it faulty? My car is a "57" Octavia VRS