Bad MPG and other issues after cambelt change

[richiewill83]

excuse my ignorance, but why have the cambelt changed on a car with only 20K on it?

Yeah I checked with Skoda hq about the interval and they confirmed by my chassis number that it should be 4 years or 76000 miles which ever comes first. The dealer wasn't impressed when I informed them of this and they had to honor the 'full service history' part of the car.

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[richiewill83]

It's done on mileage OR age, Skoda UK advise changing the cambelt at 4yrs*, so presumably the OP's car is that age.

*this is quite controversial, and apparently the UK is the only location that they insist on this.

Yeah the car is an 07 plate so was due the change last year.

It is strange how it's only UK that go with these recommendations

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[booke23]

Connecting VCDS to look at the torsion value is a good start to see if the timing is off. Listening to it, revving it and driving it are not good ways to tell if the timing is out.

However if it is a 2.0 TDI, you can only check the timing on the intake cam in VCDS.....there is no sensor on the exhaust cam to check the torsion value. So it's possible that it'll look ok in VCDS, but the exhaust cam timing could still be out.

They really need to try to insert the locking pins. They would need to remove the lower cam cover and insert the crank locking device to do do this properly. In theory you could just remove the top cover and put the pins in, but you could never be sure that the engine was at TDC, which it needs to be to confirm correct timing.

Out of interest, what engine are we talking about here?

[richiewill83]

Yeah sorry I should have stated from the start. It's the 2.0 tdi 140 pd I think with dsg gearbox.

I'm thinking that I will have a fight on my hands with these as I know for sure they don't have a vag com machine. I plugged my free version in and pulled up four controllers reporting faults. I have added this issue onto the work required by them as well and they told me they don't have a vag com so will have to take it to a Skoda dealer or indy.

Will be an interesting start to the week next week to see what they say.

Thanks to everyone who is replying on this thread, it's good to get some advice from other vag owners.

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[Andymod]

If you ever get over Sheffield way, I would be happy to take a look.

[richiewill83]

If you ever get over Sheffield way, I would be happy to take a look.

This could be a great help. Thanks very much. I will wait to see the outcome of what Bristol Street Motors say and then take it from there.

I'll keep this thread updated and pm you if I head your way If that's ok?

Do you have a lot experience with timing belts etc then? I see you have a good post count in the vcds and diagnosis section.

Thanks again.

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[andyvee]

I would say that Andy does have the relevant experience :-)

[Andymod]

This could be a great help. Thanks very much. I will wait to see the outcome of what Bristol Street Motors say and then take it from there.

I'll keep this thread updated and pm you if I head your way If that's ok?

Do you have a lot experience with timing belts etc then? I see you have a good post count in the vcds and diagnosis section.

Thanks again.

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No problem just let me know, i will gladly take a look. I have plenty of experience

[richiewill83]

Well finally some good news from bristol street motors today. They took the car into Rainford Soda dealership and had them take a look. The dealership confirmed timing was out and have re adjusted as needed. Hopefully this will sort the issues out.

I say good news but in a way it's bad as I've been driving it for 5 weeks with the timing out. Would this be likely to have caused any damage? Did about 1500 miles.

The car is still with bristol street motors as they are looking a leaky door seal. Fingers crossed I'll be picking up a fault free Octavia on Friday.

Will keep the post up to date

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[booke23]

Well finally some good news from bristol street motors today. They took the car into Rainford Soda dealership and had them take a look. The dealership confirmed timing was out and have re adjusted as needed. Hopefully this will sort the issues out.

Good stuff........It's criminal that they let the car out of the workshop in the first place in such a condition, but glad they've got it sorted.....by someone who knows what they are doing.

I say good news but in a way it's bad as I've been driving it for 5 weeks with the timing out. Would this be likely to have caused any damage? Did about 1500 miles.

With it timed up properly, as long as the engine now runs flawlessly then there is, in all likely hood, no damage......if it continues to run badly then someone needs to check the top end.

I assume as the dealer has fixed it, there is no damage. But as far as I know, on the BKD engine the timing only needs to be out slightly before it starts breaking the top end, so it's worth listening to it closely when you get it back.

[Hughp]

I think it is crazy that a cam belt needs changing after 4 years, if it has not not 60'000. miles. Mine just got changed after 5 years and 90'000. miles. Still had some life left in it.

[silver1011]

Still had some life left in it.

So it had evidence of wear? Sounds like changing at four years would have been wise.

[booke23]

I think it is crazy that a cam belt needs changing after 4 years, if it has not not 60'000. miles. Mine just got changed after 5 years and 90'000. miles. Still had some life left in it.

Putting aside the 4 year debate for now, What makes you think there was some life left in it?

Also, what about the tensioner and ancillary components? Did they look ok too? (you did replace them didn't you?).......if any of these fail, it's the same as the belt breaking.

[andyvee]

I have yet to see a 4 year old cam belt come off of a car that looks 'worn'. This doesn't mean that it isn't though.

You can't tell by visually inspecting if it needs replacing. I have seen snapped ones that look like new other than where it has snapped!

Each to their own, but mine gets done at the recommended intervals. But for me, that is mileage rather than time.

[richiewill83]

Well I finally picked the car up from bristol street motors on Friday. Timing belt adjusted by soda Rainford as they found it to be out. So now I have the peace of mind that the timing is right. However it still dosnt seem to drive quite right.

I also noticed when I picked the car up my bonnet was covered in bird muck, not fresh either as I tried to wipe it off it wouldn't budge! I was not impressed to say the least and so rang the garage this morning to inform them of my findings.

After expressing my disappointment of having my car handed back in this condition and the fact it still isnt running quite right I informed the guy that my next course of action would be as follows.

I will be taking the car to a local independent soda specialist to test the car out and report any findings causing issues including a quote for repairs if needed. This will include trying to find the cause if my leaking door.

I will be getting a local quote for the re-diamond briting of my bonnet as the bird muck will have invalidated the guarantee. If nothing if found to be wrong with the vehicle then I will foot the bill for investigating but if faults are found then bristol street will foot the bill for all work needed to put the car right.

He agreed to this and re-iterated that they want me to be happy with the car and due to the distance it only right to get it done locally in Lincoln. I have asked for this in an email so they can't go back on their word if faults are found. He is emailing me this in Monday so as soon as this is received I will be getting it booked in.

The guy has been nice and helpful but I just think it's down to a bit of in experience that the faults aren't being found. I feel I have been very reasonable with them but now it's about time it's gets sorted once and for all.

Hopefully this week will bring some better news.

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[andyvee]

Hope you get it sorted.

Nothing worse than a crappy supplying dealer.