Although my car seems to run fine I seem to have some idle issues where the car shudders. I checked VAG-COM and it says the timing synchro angle (Measuring blocks group 4 - number 4) is massively advanced ~5, it should be between 0 and 0.5. I took off the timing belt upper cover to look at the camshaft sprocket to see if I could adjust it. The camshaft sprocket setting is up against the stops and is as retarded as far as it can go, I am unable to retard the timing any further. I was very confused!

Then I looked at the tensioner. To my horror the tensioner arrow indicator is not aligned with the metal groove (see pic), i.e. it is not fully tensioned. Even worse is that the tensioner arrow dances about when the engine is running!

What do people think? Is the tensioner broken or has it been installed incorrectly? The last timing belt change was done by Skoda stealership so I would be very surprised if it hasn't been installed correctly! I'm very paranoid about driving the car again!

Edited 9 June, 201214 yr by piggoy

DEFO take it back to the dealership that fitted it pronto and drive it slowly...........had a simmilar problem with my car......just had all the belts etc done at the Skoda dealership.......drove it home...only got about 2miles down the road though as it was sounding like a drag strip racer (very lumpy and at the traffic lights I had to keep the revs above 3000rpm as it was vibrating/lumpy/stalling below this)............they stripped it down and found that the brand new tensioners had failed and there was a recall on the tensions for this engine and other belt kits had the same problems!!!!!

DEFO take it back to the dealership that fitted it pronto and drive it slowly...........had a simmilar problem with my car......just had all the belts etc done at the Skoda dealership.......drove it home...only got about 2miles down the road though as it was sounding like a drag strip racer (very lumpy and at the traffic lights I had to keep the revs above 3000rpm as it was vibrating/lumpy/stalling below this)............they stripped it down and found that the brand new tensioners had failed and there was a recall on the tensions for this engine and other belt kits had the same problems!!!!!

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately the timing belt change was done by the previous owner about 2 years and 35k miles ago, I think it's probably a bit late to take it back lol! The fact that the camshaft sprocket is fully retarded and the timing massively advanced makes me think it was never installed correctly. If the timing belt is correctly installed than the camshaft sprocket setting should be central and the timing synchro value at perfect zero.

If this lumpy problem has only just happened recently then defo the tesioner has just failed........this then becomes slack and will allow the timing belt to jump out of place on the camshaft causing the camshaft to out with the crankshaft!!!!!!......cause and effect you see.......

Should I just replace the tensioner and re-time everything, or would you recommend a complete new timing belt kit? It's not due another timing belt for at least 40k miles.

You will have to replace that belt........I wouldn't trust it as it's jumped (damage)........so for piece of mind get a new kit!

You may as well change the whole lot whilst your in there, no point in not doing so since the belt has to come off anyway.

false economy to just change the tensioner

due to the fact all the labour involved to change the tension is the same to do the whole job

OK looks like it's gonna be another timing belt kit then. Gonna do the job myself so should save some pennies there. Been looking skudmissile's excellent guide http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/94593-fabia-vrs-timing-belt-change-diy/. A few question if anyone wants to answer them-

1.) I presume you only need to drain the coolant if changing the water pump?

2.) The stretch bolts on the engine mount that need replacing, I presume its the three bolts on the engine side of the mount?

Forget that last post, Skudmissile's guide provides all the answers

Does anyone else have any opinions - broken tensioner or incorrect installation? The lumpy idle has always been there since I've owned the car ( for the last 15 months) but it's never been so harsh that I've bothered about it, the rest of the time the car runs fine.

it could be either, until you get the belt off you cannot tell. Again, since the belt has to come off you might as well replace everything as the labour is still the same and it will save you money because it will mean the next change is further ahead.

As you live in Northampton, I would suggest taking the car to VagTech in Milton Keynes.

I do not work there but they have done good work at a reasonable price on my vRS and the wife's Lupo GTi

Steve

UPDATE - Fitted a new timing belt kit this weekend. The tensioner was not broken - instead the securing nut was only finger tight! I can't believe it, Skoda are supposed to be the experts at servicing their own cars and instead they hire some pleb who thinks it's sufficient to tighten the tensioner only finger tight, no wonder it came loose. I'm just glad that the belt didn't slip teeth and the engine destroy itself. I'm very relieved!

Edited 3 July, 201213 yr by piggoy

My 1.4 16v had cambelt water pump and tensioners done a month ago yesterday the tensioner bolt snapped and caused my cam belt to slip and knackered my engine on the way work the skoda specialist accepted liability and is making a claim against the the manufacturer. they are sorting it out for me which they are obliged to do. Ive lost 2 days at work now which i cant afford have off. would i be in my complete right to claim any money lost from the skoda specialist or reason somewhere down the line. just dont no what do in this kind of si****ion any suggestions would be helpful

Thanks Simon