bosphori

As an update for all, the issue was resolved by a good natured mechanic. His OBD reader suggested that there were problems with the spark plugs, but upon swapping the plugs out with one another and reattaching the ignition coils, the issue completely resolved. I was able to drive ~1000 miles on that fix. However, now the situation has reappeared. I believe there's the ignition coils are getting loose. A friend of mine is suggesting replacing them altogether. Does that sound like the right choice? @Ootohere, given your knowledge of this, do you have any recommendations for particular ignition coils and/or armoured leads? I'll purchase them now if so!

This is very interesting. Regarding the first two suggestions re leads/timing chain + tensioner, would you suggest I replace those off the jump at my coming servicing? If you wouldn't mind (I am a true novice here), would you mind linking me to the proper parts that I might purchase to bring to my north american mechanic?

These are great suggestions -- thank you all! I'm just worried because I feel the issue should have come up on the diagnostic machine, no? Current course of action is to check the codes on an OBD 2 reader and then check: air filter, fuel injector, fuel filter, fuel pump. For the rattle in idle, worn engine mount/pulley bearing. I don't think I'm losing coolant -- it wasn't mentioned that there was a leak when I was last there, but I guess it's technically possible there has been a slow leak since then. I don't know about oil or DTC codes, but I'll have to ask. I'm going to ask if they might drain the tank in any case. Maybe it's still there? Thanks for the tips here. I'm definitely going to have the fuel filter inspected and changed and yes, removing the fuel to get the water out. I will double check the temperature when I get the car again and let you know. Re the chain rattle, a friend suggested that it might be a "worn engine mount" or a "pulley bearing" issue given that I only can hear it when idling. Perhaps those can be replaced easily?

Hello all, I own a 2010 Skoda Yeti, 1.2L TSI. I drove the car with two friends to Dakar in Senegal. We then got so nostalgic for the car that we decided to drive it back. In Southern Spain, we made the grievous mistake of pouring oil cleaner (not petrol cleaner) in the petrol tank (there had been some water that had gotten in with bad Mauritanian petrol). The car has never been the same since. The check engine lights came on and I had to drive the rest of the way in no higher than 3rd gear! Couldn’t accelerate past 35-40 MPH. Nightmare. Multiple rounds of petrol cleaner and fresh tanks of petrol have not solved the issue, it would seem. Cash was low since then and I didn’t drive the car very much. I brought it in for repairs a couple months ago and the situation was (I thought) resolved- no more lights, got up to speed well, mechanic adamant it had been fixed. That said, I didn’t drive it since then. I just went on a 60 mile drive to Southampton port and 15 miles in, the engine began to struggle again in the higher gears (though no light). It got up to speed, but definitely not as high as it could previously — huge amount of overheating. It also rattles when idling. The engine is hot and stays hot (aluminum?) for a while. So things are unresolved, clearly. Does anyone know what the situation may be? About 144,000 miles on it. To add another interesting wrinkle, the Yeti is on its way to North America now for several months of touring- I noticed the issue on the way to the ship. Couldn’t cancel things because I’d already prepaid an exorbitant rate. Hoping that if there isn’t a reasonable fix, a VW mechanic will be able to help out there. I’m sure you don’t see posts as ridiculous as this too often, so I’m hoping I can get some insight from all you knowledgeable people. I’m not a car person, sadly, and a couple thoughts have been offered to me by those who are — could it be catalytic converter? I don’t understand how nothing is coming up on the diagnostic, and I asked the mechanics to take a look at the fuel injectors, fuel/oil filters, and to make sure there's no water getting in the fuel (head gasket issue?). Thanks for your time.