BrettJ

So an update for you guys. New engine has been fitted by Skoda. Cost was about 7,700 euro. All parts and labour are covered, with a 2 year warranty which is valid worldwide throughout their network. That was about 1/3rd discounted by Skoda, despite my being over 2 years out of warranty, and having 1 service away from Skoda, at a private garage. The oil usage on the old engine was 1.15 litres per 1.000km before changing the engine. The new engine has a different part number to the original, and has the new 2mm oil rings, upgraded conrods etc as standard. I therefore do not expect to have this issue again, and hope that I have increased the value of the vehicle, having one of the few 2016 models with the newer engine style. I have now done 400km, taking it easy to 'run in' the engine. No issues at all. I have to say, the engine is so quiet compared to the old one. Not that the old one was noisy, but after 160.000km, all engines loosen up a bit. 🙂 Not the cheapest solution, but I am very happy with the service I got from the Skoda dealer, even though the actual; cost was a bit steep still for a car a little over 5 years old. The only niggle I have is that the headlights no longer move side to side when going around corners. I guess they left a sensor unplugged. It will go back next week for that to be fixed. Under warranty, of course. Regards Brett

Vrtac, yes. Drop me a PM, if you can work out how.

But we don't know what is wrong. I could pay to have the engine removed and taken apart. But..... How much have they quoted you to change the pistons/rings on yours? Do I need to know the extent of the damage? For sure the piston rings may be 90% of the cause. But just general wear from 160.000km will be a factor in the rest of the engine too. Indications earlier in this thread were that it was a 5,000 EUR cost for a rebuild, pistons etc With no guarantees worth having. The engine blew a year afterwards. In my case, I have previously done two engine rebuild/ exchanges in my life (Nissan & Mitsubishi). Both went wrong over a period of time. So paying 2,800 more to get an engine with zero km, from top to bottom, and then the work guaranteed for two years, for hardware and work by the same company, seems like a no brainer. But that's just me, and my past experience. That said, I'm very interested in how yours works out too. Let's compare notes in December 🙂

Yes, in Slovenia. Maybe you need my old one to rebuild first, then you just swap 🙂 Or try the dealer in Kranj. They will be very experienced in this fault real soon 😉

So this is where it is up to. Skoda calculations were 1.15 litres per 1,000km. So pretty much were I predicted. The diagnosis by Skoda was a new engine. Repair not possible as there would be too many unknowns. That was quoted as 11,700 euro for the engine to be supplied and fitted. No doubt some other costs on the way. After lots of discussions between the dealer and Skoda, they have agreed the following; 7,800 euro fixed cost, including all work to date and DDV (VAT). Nothing more to pay. Skoda will pay the rest. In addition, I will get a two year Skoda warranty on the engine and all work. So despite one oil change away from Skoda, and the vehicle being out of warranty for 2 years, Skoda did give me around 4k of subsidy. It's a pretty hefty amount, but I can just about justify it, in that the car value seems to be 4,000 euro more than I paid 2 years ago for it, and I've saved about 3k on fuel in the last two years, compared to my old car. Almost quits for two years use, and the 2 year warranty swings it for me. Oh yes, and the engine has the upgraded pistons/rings etc in it, so this shouldn't occur again. For info, I explored other options for fitting a used engine. There are plenty for sale in Germany/Austria. Prices seem to be from 2k to 4k, with warranties from 30 days to 1 year. Mileage on the engines varied from 50k kms to 150k kms. Fitting can be assumed as another 800-1,000 euro. No real guarantees with any of that though, and the work would be done by a private garage. For me, the potential saving of 2-3k isn't worth it, to end up with a used engine, with the original design flaw (if that is what we can call it). I think the new engine should add some good value to the vehicle at resale. I'll drop a note about a month from now to confirm the car is running well (or not). I will also try to get photos of the old engine, and what the actual fault was, when it is all removed. If anybody would like to buy the old engine (block and head), then it will probably be available in about one month. The head is almost certainly in good condition. The block is expected to require a rebore/honing, new pistons, rings etc. But if you fancy refurbishing an engine rather than buying a used one, this could be an option for you. Maybe I can then offset that last 1k to fully justify my decision 🤣

Just an update to say there is no real update yet. They wanted to do the oil test. 1,000km and they will then weight what was used. I warned them the test was not possible as the oil light would come on before then, but hey ho, we did what we could. A nice trip to Salzburg and back, to knock up most of it on a highway, sitting at about 110kmh most of the way, Austria being Austria. Then finishing off around the local area until the light came on. 695km, then the low oil warning. Of course, I wasn't allowed to put any oil in, so 751km when it was delivered back. That'll be a full litre of oil used to do that. Now I await the next diagnosis from them. They had suggested that, despite it being 5 years old, maybe there would be some goodwill gesture from Skoda. But they didn't like that one of the services was not done by a Skoda dealer. We will see. I'm not holding my breath. More news soon I hope.....

My car goes in to Skoda this week for a diagnosis. I'll let you know how it turns out. I've set aside 4k for a rebuild as I'm expecting the worst. We'll see....

So similar in that they did the same thing to the oil rings. Specified them too small, so you need to change pistons and rods as well? It is now using 1 litre oil for 600km, typically. It is at its worst on the highway, and marginally better on small roads.

If love to hear how things are, ask these years later? I have troubles with my VSR, high oil consumption. Surely a similar issue

I am not convinced if that at all. I looked over the last few days, and prices seemed similar for the same vehicle. But I also wanted to swap to the 4x4 version anyway, so I have another good reason to change. In fact, I was after a 4x4 in the first place, and couldn't find one in Covid. Now there are plenty for sale. 😁

Hmmm. Thanks Modro. That seems to be the first conclusive diagnosis in this thread. It does make me think I'd be better selling it and getting a non Vag vehicle, or just investigate the oil usage a lot closer on the next one I buy.

Any progress from anybody? I have a VRs, from 2017, and with about 140k km. Mine is using about 1 litre of oil for 800km driven, if on the highway, with cruising around 130kmh. Regenerating the dpf also at around 800km. If in normal daily use, it is around 1200km+ for the same oil consumption. Harder to say about the dpf. No smoke I am aware of, but then it has a dpf, so shouldn't smoke. I can only think the turbo is the culprit. Why would it be anything else. I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and just get it to a dealer. I notice a few in here were in Slovenia, as I am. Any dealer experienced in this issue?