flinflon

Interesting article in Guardian online regarding timing chain failure in a 3 year old Volvo V60 engine. Two comments caught my eye --- JefXX says 1 MECHANICAL reliability is probably as good as ever, but overall reliability is probably no better than 20 years ago, due to all the complex electronics. 2 Consumer protection legislation means products are supposed to last a reasonable period of time. So if there is a catastrophic engine failure of this nature at 3 years, with FSH, it seems only fair to take the manufacturer to the small claims court over the matter. GiftedBuTLazy says in respnse It's crazy but the timing chain falls under mechanical not electrical. Therefore more research needs to go in to this. This isn't new. VW released the 1.2 liter engine in a Polo that was timing chain driven, during my time at VW then subsequently Seat and Skoda it affected probably 3 in 10 cars whilst that doesn't seem high it is extremely considering this was rolled in a new model. Please tell me that 3 in 10 VAG timing chain failures is an exaggeration!

According to www.enginewoorks.com 1.8 tsi EA888 gen2 is identified by codes CDAA, CDHA, CDHB. My 59 plate is a CDAA with 32,000 miles. I use it to take rubbish to local dump and pick up groceries from nearby Tesco, and to park in the narrow residential street outside my house to slow down idiot drivers!

Yes, as you say sticker in the boot, so DSG should be OK. New timing chain tensioner looks to be a good idea. If I can't find suitable indy garage and have to go with dealer I suppose charge will be double. Thanks for advice. PS I do wonder how many 59 plate 1.8 tsi s with more than 30,000 miles are out there on the open road poodling along completely carefree!

I should have stated that it is a 59 plate, first registered Dec2009. I have owned it from new. No major oil usage, although a litre had to be added after about 6 months old, thereafter engine oil changed regardless of mileage during annual service. In 2010 original variable service changed to fixed after discussion with Skoda UK. I do remember a Skoda? recall for which the 7speed dry clutch did have a change of oil and I think also a software update. Not sure when that was, I'll have to go thru a pile of invoices to see.

My Octavia has reached the "twitching" mileage of 31,000. It is also doubly damned by having a DSG box. After reading most of the pages here, I wonder if the car will survive another 9 months to next service/MOT. Perhaps it would be more sensible to sell (or even scrap) before the engine blows (or the DSG gives out). The cost to "fix" potential engine failure (and not forgetting the cursed DSG) seems to be more than the car is worth. I have been offered £1000 by an acquaintance. I use the car for local shopping and taking rubbish to the nearby tip, I daren't go much further. Am I being over cautious?

Bad luck, but I doubt it's personal. Caffyns of T/Wells gave me same answer to same query. Brings to mind that immortal phrase "they would, wouldn't they" (after Ms M Rice).

From vcds scan, passenger door address 52 shows the current coding is 0004854. So if I subtract 4096 this will give a new coding of 0000758. Is my maths correct? This may be Janet and John stuff but I'm far too old to rely on my ability to remember this type of calculation!

OK Eddie it will have to be the vcds solution. Flat battery on laptop now replaced so I can now fire up vcds (version 16) and start working out the "-4096" to the passenger side door mirror as per your good self and Langers2k.

Thanks to Langers2K for the Ross link. Auric's Mk111 post showing how to bypass folding when parked up just makes me realise how old the technology of my FL Mk11 is. I suppose on a Mk11 this can be done by maxi-dot, an option I don't have.

Edie thanks for prompt reply. I'll have to get my brain around the minus 4096, something for me to do later this afternoon.

Nearside door mirror broken in self inflicted mishap. It is now attached to door by heavy duty tape and cannot be folded although all other electrical functions work ie puddle light, indicator, and adjustment of mirror glass. The drivers mirror works perfectly. When I lock car and hold button on key fob the drivers mirror folds but the passengers mirror makes grinding noise because its folding mechanism is kaput. Is there a way to fold drivers mirror by hand. Or better still isolate the passenger door mirror by appropriate (and careful) use of vcds.

I see that checking timing chain length is for Octavia 3, 1.8/2.0 tsi engines for years 2013 and 2014. I presume this method does not apply to Octavia2 1.8/2.0 tsi FLs.

A sticker in the boot? I've had mine done i.e. oil replaced and software update, but don't see said sticker. I will add this worry to the possible ( probable) 1.8 tsi tensioner failure worry. At 6 years plus age and 29,000 miles maybe I should sell up and move on!

I got it! http://s1376.photobucket.com/user/haussez/media/Mio02_zpsutziaxhg.mp4.html?o=0 dashcam is Mio MiVue 538 Deluxe alternatively: this is my first attempt at youtube https://youtu.be/-m-yHFUfclU

Bought a MiVue 538 from Halfords for less than £100. Produces reasonable video in bright sunshine. I have a sample that I uploaded to photobucket but don't know how to post here. Can someone advise?

No reports of failures for over 3 weeks. Thing are looking up for Skoda!

There was a piece on radio4 yesterday about audi and problem 2.0 tfsi engines burning oil. Some were having to add a litre every 350 or so miles. In the US there is a class action under way, surprise surprise. A n expert said does not apply to all VAG 2.0 tfsi engines just audi. Thought you might like to know.

Another dealer to strike off my list. Do dealers read this forum?

Cassoude: web site claims this device is fully DIY and easy to instal. Is this your experience?

Is it only the combination of 1.8 tsi and 7 dsg that's almost g'teed to fail, whereas dsg failures of other combinations are within acceptable and reasonable limits. If so I shall get in touch with SkodaUK (and VAG) to put them on notice that I'm very concerned about this design failure, and that I expect the dsg warranty to be extended to at least 7 years.

You mean Caffyn's. Not to name and shame of course.

To everyone visiting France - restaurant food is not what it was. I've been going over there regularly for over 25 years and I have noticed a great drop in quality - it started to drop when the euro arrived. My neighbour there is a retired catering manager for the Banque de France in Paris. She rarely eats out and when she and hubby do venture to some new eatery they give us a full report! No wonder most young(ish) natives love Macdonalds.

Thanks for all replies. It seems that to be on the safe side my insurer should be informed of pending SAC. I do quite a lot of travel by car in France and Germany and so far have not been caught speeding mostly because 130 kph motorway limit in France is ample for my needs; Germans drive like the wind on the autobahns so it would be difficult for me to break speed limit even if I wanted to! But if I were caught speeding and were given a fixed penalty or worse I suppose this would also have to be reported to insurer.

Stone made small chip on passenger's side of windscreen. After making claim thru insurer's glass service was told premium would go up by £50 but no penalty to NCB. Then I got a speeding ticket and have opted for speed awareness course so no points on licence. But insurer says point or no points I was caught speeding so expect another 10%-15% on premium. Are these increases normal?

Anyone tried Mi Witness HD (best buy per Sunday Times 19.05.2013). Not shown in dashcamtalk. According to ST the price £250