mark_irl

From a bit of digging, I've found some threads with this issue specific to a 1.0 TSI engine - here, here and here. The last link has the OP of the thread state "VW have been aware of the issue for a couple of years, (June 2020), because they themselves raised an issue notice on their ERwin system. The TPI (Technical Product Information) number that you need to search is 2055431/4. Published 3.6.2020." I don't have access of ERwin but does sound like it's not a random issue and as you say, more of a design fault or quality control issue.

Hi All, as promised I'd come back with an update. Picked the car up an hour ago after speaking to the mechanic's place yesterday when looking for an update. The issue was "Camshaft variator bolts all found to be loose - threads damaged". They investigated and couldn't find any reason and were convinced someone had done work on the engine and asked had the belt been replaced - I told them that wasn't the case, it's the original belt and that the last service was 14 months ago in a Skoda service centre. They were very surprised at this, didn't seem like an issue they'd come across before. They had to regrind the threads, build and test everything. Drove home and everything sounded fine and drove fine (although it was always driving fine other than the noise). The manager of the place told me it was the bolts hitting off the timing cover causing the noise. They said I was lucky as it could have ended a lot worse. Decided to get an oil and filter done with them while the car was in so will keep an eye on the levels as I saw on some other threads on Briskoda people mentioning a leak in the cam actuator can cause this issue - I asked about this and they said they didn't see any evidence of a leak. They did however find evidence of oil leaking/weaping from the sump gasket. They said they cleaned it up and to bring it back to them in 1 month/2000km FOC to see if it's still leaking. They also had thought someone incompetent was working on things as they said that shouldn't be leaking on a car with 58000km on it. They said something about it not being properly sealed when installed. So all in for the main issue cost me €486. A lot better than the many thousands I thought were down the drain after my experience with the first mechanic. We're very relieved to have the car back and to have not lost a lot of money but also aware it sounds like we were lucky the bolts hadn't completely come loose as that could have caused some serious damage. Bit perplexed as to why it happened - would anyone know if the cam actuator leaking would have been obvious to the mechanic when working on the parts he was? (Hoping they didn't just do the refitting of the bolts and fob me off saying they didn't see the actuator leaking). Thanks for all of the suggestions and comments on the thread. Hoping that's the end of things and we can relax and continue to enjoy the car. We had to start considering other cars while waiting on the outcome and the whole experience made me consider moving to electric...although I don't want to spark off a different debate on the merits of that 😂.

Yeah I'm aware of that, service has always been done within or at 12months every year from new. Unfortunately, life events got in the way this time around (family members diagnosed with cancer, deaths etc.), so sometimes these things are not a priority. In saying that, I'll definitely be more diligent in keeping an eye on the oil as that's something I'd let slip. Used to think by servicing every 12 months I'd be fine but obviously, I realise now I should be checking more frequently myself. Thanks for the well wishes, I'll update once I hear back. We're on tenterhooks here as it's our only car and losing its sale/trade-in value would be a massive blow.

Thanks for all of the suggestions/info. Latest update is I checked the oil level this morning after letting the engine get up to operating temp and then giving it 5 mins after turning off before checking. Oil level was just over half-way on the marked section A (see pics). According to the manual the oil needs to be topped up if it drops below the A section, so it wasn't below that area but it wasn't at the top either. I've also attached a pic of the lights after turning ignition on. They all go out either after a few seconds or after engine is switched on. I drove to the other mechanic this morning and noticed that when I got to 50km/h, I couldn't hear the noise anymore. It's noticeable at idle to 30km then drops off. The car seems to drive completely fine and I wouldn't know there was any issue but for the noise. I have a slim glimmer of hope all is not lost, the mechanic said that it'll be a few days before they get to work on it but his initial thoughts were it's not the bearings as he said that bearing knocking is usually more a metallic sounding knocking. To me, mine sounds more like something hitting off plastic but what do I know! I'll update when I hear from the mechanic next 🤞

@thamestrader Yeah probably that as the guy had a thick eastern European accent. Service was yearly in Skoda dealer from new with all recommended things done as per schedule. The only difference was the most recent service was due in Oct 2024 or at 60000km. For various reasons I wasn't able to get it in then and was planning to get it done this month but we do so little mileage I wasn't overly concerned. However, now I've realised I haven't been as diligent with checking oil levels so its possible a low oil level has caused it. @Warrior193 Thanks - Haven't noticed the oil pressure light, checked it there and a ton of lights light up briefly but didn't see any oil can symbol. Will check again in the morning - didn't start engine just pushed the start button though. Car has never had an oil light show or been run with that type of error. As mentioned above, no I haven't regularly checked the levels I'm afraid. Bringing it to another mechinaic tomorrow who said they'll give me an indication of what it is by Friday but if it is anything major they won't be able to sort it for some time as they (like all mechanics here apparently) as up the walls! If it is the crankshaft bearings, is that really the engine done for and only option is a whole new engine? If that's the case how much would I be looking at? Original mechanic was saying he wouldn't know if he could even get one of these engines and to go to Skoda dealer about it.

Our 2018 Fabia Estate 1.0 110HP DSG developed a knocking noise yesterday while driving. The noise is coming from the engine bay and is loudest at idle and low speeds but less noticeable at 60Kph. Brought it to a local mechanic as they are very close to where I live, he listened to it and immediately said "that engine is finished" 😧. He said he couldn't be sure without properly looking at it but that is sounded to him like the 'batten bearings' are gone. Given I have had it serviced in a dealer since new, he recommended bringing it to a Skoda dealer and getting it towed to them. Pretty shocking news to hear from a car that's been well looked after and just 57000km on the clock. I've rang a dealer and am waiting on a mechanic to call me back but thought I'd check here in case anyone has any useful advice. I know its not guaranteed the local mechanic is correct but wonder is this a known thing to happen to these engines? Thanks

Hi, Thought I'd post this here in case it's of use to others as I found some older threads useful in helping me. I have a 2018 Fabia Combi/Estate 1.0TSI 110HP DSG. At my service last year the Skoda dealer told me I needed to change my timing belt as it was over 5 years old (and not based on any visual inspection indicating damage). They wanted ~€600 for this. Thanks to this forum I discovered that this was not necessarily the case. I'm due another service now a year later so yesterday I decided to email the main Skoda contact email from the EU website ([email protected]) and ask them if my local dealer (Dublin, Ireland) was correct about needing to replace the timing belt. After providing the VIN, I received the following response: "There is no fixed timing belt replacement interval for this vehicle. The timing belt is checked during the inspection and if the service department finds that it is worn, it needs to be replaced. However, the replacement interval is specified for vehicles that are operated in the so-called "Dusty Countries" and this interval is set at 120,000km. However, Ireland does not belong to such countries, in the list of countries qualified as "dusty" there are countries such as Egypt, Zambia, Vietnam, Syria, Mali, Kenya, Qatar, Senegal and similar." Hope this is of use to anyone else who was in a similar situation to me.