I've just bought an Octavia Elegance TDI PD140 (2007) and I've got the above symptoms. To be honest I didn't realise the siren sound. It was only after I took it home and started driving it around that I noticed it and even then I thought the cops were out and about, a lot. I realised this wasn't the case after a while I've hardly had the car long (from a private sale) as in days and the engine keeps switching off. Not good. There's no warning lights and the RAC don't get any warnings/error codes after hooking up with the car's computer.

I've done a bit of research and the outlook isn't promising. The only plus point is the seller (ex company car) has agreed to pay the costs to get it fixed (or thats what he's saying) as its currently with Skoda after I dropped it off today. If they (Skoda) advise changing the fuel pump, im sure the seller would be happy to pay up but I think we're talking about a new turbo here... aren't we?

Therefore, I'd appreciate any advice on the best way forward/comments about the symptoms or anything you care to add about this situation I find myself in.

(Hello btw, been reading the forums for a while now prior to buying the car but haven't posted up until now)

Sounds like your turbo is on its way out

Immobiliser issue?

I had a 2007 Octavia with the same 2.0 TDI engine (BKD) and I had the dreaded police siren noise for a while. The engine would also go into limp mode if given some stick. That is normally the VNT vanes sticking and causing an overspeed/overboost. Eventually it went bang in spectacular style.

I would strongly recommend a proactive approach to save lots of cash. Luckily I was under warranty because the shrapnel from the exploded turbine wrecked the boost pipes, intake hoses, intercooler etc.

Bottom line - new turbo.

I've just bought an Octavia Elegance TDI PD140 (2007) and I've got the above symptoms. To be honest I didn't realise the siren sound. It was only after I took it home and started driving it around that I noticed it and even then I thought the cops were out and about, a lot. I realised this wasn't the case after a while I've hardly had the car long (from a private sale) as in days and the engine keeps switching off. Not good. There's no warning lights and the RAC don't get any warnings/error codes after hooking up with the car's computer.

I've done a bit of research and the outlook isn't promising. The only plus point is the seller (ex company car) has agreed to pay the costs to get it fixed (or thats what he's saying) as its currently with Skoda after I dropped it off today. If they (Skoda) advise changing the fuel pump, im sure the seller would be happy to pay up but I think we're talking about a new turbo here... aren't we?

Therefore, I'd appreciate any advice on the best way forward/comments about the symptoms or anything you care to add about this situation I find myself in.

(Hello btw, been reading the forums for a while now prior to buying the car but haven't posted up until now)

Hi, welcome but also sorry to hear about your problems on your first foray into Skoda ownership.

Definitely sounds like a turbo on the way out, Skoda dealer will probably want about £1500 to replace the turbo but you might get this down to sub £1k at an Indy.

I think the problem with some of these ex company cars is that they get ragged from cold and then blasted down Mway for a couple of hours, pull into services and turn the engine straight off, not good for the turbo (it's amazing how many people still don't realise this is bad for the turbo as well).

Hope the previous owner is as good as his word and sorts it for you!

Edited 27 February, 201214 yr by Anddenton

Hi, welcome but also sorry to hear about your problems on your first foray into Skoda ownership.

Definitely sounds like a turbo on the way out, Skoda dealer will probably want about £1500 to replace the turbo but you might get this down to sub £1k at an Indy.

I think the problem with some of these ex company cars is that they get ragged from cold and then blasted down Mway for a couple of hours, pull into services and turn the engine straight off, not good for the turbo (it's amazing how many people still don't realise this is bad for the turbo as well).

Hope the previous owner is as good as his word!

I saw a quote for a new turbo at a dealer for £1715+VAT and that was around 2 years ago. I sourced an S212 hybrid (on an exchange basis) and got it fitted by an Indy Skoda garage all for under a grand. A standard blower should be cheaper. A decent recon turbo from a reputable supplier will be fine.

Thanks the replies. I'll wait to see what they (Skoda) come back with but I may have to get some recommendations for independents around NW and W London.

Anddenton, I hope so too regarding the previous owner coughing up.

Edited 27 February, 201214 yr by Superfly

I've just had a new turbo on my PD170 at my Skoda dealer, £1450 inc. VAT.

I've just had a new turbo on my PD170 at my Skoda dealer, £1450 inc. VAT.

How's that doing these days Silver1011? Is it finally settled and running well? No more rising oil levels or sirens?

Afraid not Anddenton. It's at the dealer again as we speak, the third turbo has also started to whistle and the fresh oil and filter I paid for is still rising.

This is their last chance to at least diagnose the fault. If not I'm bailing out.

I can echo an earlier comment though, preventative replacement of the turbo is better than the resulting damage of running one til the end.

Afraid not Anddenton. It's at the dealer again as we speak, the third turbo has also started to whistle and the fresh oil and filter I paid for is still rising.

This is their last chance to at least diagnose the fault. If not I'm bailing out.

I can echo an earlier comment though, preventative replacement of the turbo is better than the resulting damage of running one til the end.

That doesn't sound good, I wonder what else is wrong with that engine that is causing your problems? Hope you get it sorted, are they still doing this all under warranty?

The original turbo was fitted under a third party warranty, the second replacement was under Skoda's parts warranty.

I suspect the rising oil level is due to diesel making it's way into the sump. This began to happen after the injectors were swapped under the official recall so I'll be pushing for a free fix if they ever diagnose the fault.

If not I'll have the wifes diesel Scout and I'll chop the vRS in on a straight swap for something petrol for her, maybe a 12 month old 10K Zafira :S

I think the problem with some of these ex company cars is that they get ragged from cold and then blasted down Mway for a couple of hours, pull into services and turn the engine straight off, not good for the turbo (it's amazing how many people still don't realise this is bad for the turbo as well).

Not surprising really, why would average Joe ever realise this?

When the engine is switched off, the turbo has to 'freewheel' down from maybe ~100,000 RPM to zero and cool down from white hot which naturally takes a few seconds, while the oil pump stops more or less straightaway.

Not surprising really, why would average Joe ever realise this?

Err because they should RTFM?

When the engine is switched off, the turbo has to 'freewheel' down from maybe ~100,000 RPM to zero and cool down from white hot which naturally takes a few seconds, while the oil pump stops more or less straightaway.

On a petrol car maybe, but the derv ones don't get this hot. Over many years I'd say on dervs all you've got to do is not rag it when cold (most people don't) and not ride the turbo and then pull right up while coming off boost. If you do the last minute/30 seconds at normal driving you'll be fine.

Err because they should RTFM?

What manual

Regarding the OP, I'd be worried that your dealer has diagnosed a fuel pump and not a turbo issue and take the car to a good indy or another dealer that has a clue.

Edited 28 February, 201214 yr by cheezemonkhai

The original turbo was fitted under a third party warranty, the second replacement was under Skoda's parts warranty.

I suspect the rising oil level is due to diesel making it's way into the sump. This began to happen after the injectors were swapped under the official recall so I'll be pushing for a free fix if they ever diagnose the fault.

If not I'll have the wifes diesel Scout and I'll chop the vRS in on a straight swap for something petrol for her, maybe a 12 month old 10K Zafira :S

That's got to be leaky unit injector seals surely. As the injectors sit in the head with the oil, any derv leaking out will dilute it nicely. there aren't many places where derv and oil are in such close proximity apart from the channels in the head from the tandem pump.

Either that or the head has a crack in it somewhere. 2.0TDI engines have a chequered past when it comes to cracked cylinder heads.

That's got to be leaky unit injector seals surely. As the injectors sit in the head with the oil, any derv leaking out will dilute it nicely. there aren't many places where derv and oil are in such close proximity apart from the channels in the head from the tandem pump.

Either that or the head has a crack in it somewhere. 2.0TDI engines have a chequered past when it comes to cracked cylinder heads.

Isn't there a chance of fuel getting into the oil through interupted regens or a DPF issue as well?

In all honesty, how common is this turbo issue?

I do NOT fancy a £1500 bill come August when my warranty is finished.

Nice tips guys, so possible causes to raising oil level include:

1) Leaky injector seal (dealer removed, checked and replaced these at least twice now).

2) Damaged cylinder head channels from the tandom pump.

3) Cracked cylinder head (is this common on all 2.0TDi engines? I thought this affected the PD140 rather than the PD170?).

4) Faulty DPF / interupted regens (all my driving is motorway / fast A/B roads).

Which of these could cause the repeated failure of the turbo - I'm on my third in as many months. Could it be 'above MAX' oil level?

I'm ringing the dealer later this afternoon for an update. I've held off making suggestions for fear of them not appreciating my feedback but it's getting silly now!

Regarding the OP, I'd be worried that your dealer has diagnosed a fuel pump and not a turbo issue and take the car to a good indy or another dealer that has a clue.

It hasn't been diagnosed yet but I dont want to be fobbed off with something which isn't going to solve the problem. The seller seems to think it is the fuel pump though. We'll see!

Make sure you tell them that you think it is the turbo.

Then when they replace the fuel pump and it doesn't fix the issue you can argue they should now replace the turbo too and it was the turbo you suspected all along.

I'll be suprised if they stump up for a turbo though, that will eat up any profit they had in the car and more...

Good luck!

Make sure you tell them that you think it is the turbo.

Then when they replace the fuel pump and it doesn't fix the issue you can argue they should now replace the turbo too and it was the turbo you suspected all along.

I'll be suprised if they stump up for a turbo though, that will eat up any profit they had in the car and more...

Good luck!

Yes, that is a worry. I spoke to the seller this morning and he has promised to put it right... lets see!

Also, a diagnostics test was run and the only thing they found were some error codes to do with the battery. The seller told me the battery was replaced not long ago. The guy at VW/Skoda told me this normally happens when a battery is replaced but these codes normally go away but it hasn't in this case. They took the car for a quick spin earlier today but they said it was fine. They are taking it for a longer drive at some stage today to take a customer home. All I can say is good luck as I'd be surprised if it makes it back without help.

The obvious question here I guess is are you used to turbodiesels. It could just be normal turbo spooling noises if you're not used to it.

Either way, let us know how you get on.

To answer your question, no.

I've just spoken to them and it made it to the customer's home and back. They will keep testing it to see if it happens again. Not good news really as I dont really want to drive away a vehicle that is waiting to break down. Lets see what happens and I will update when I hear any news.