1.8TSI and 2.0TSI engine failures

[hmmmm]

Just noticed that a few cars have had misfires which caused this.

 

I have plugged a bluetooth adaptor and ran the Android App and it has shown my car as having a few misfires but no warning lights etc.

 

Should i be ****ting myself?

[crowesnest]

Another one to add to the list too. I have a june 2010 vrs tsi, 41k on the clock.  Had lack of power with management light on, read fault code P0016 cam shaft and crank shaft sensors out of sync.  I suspected the dreaded tensioner failure problem after reading through all of the very good information posted on here.  Realised we may be looking at complete engine replacement so had the car recovered to local skoda dealer.  After diagnosis the dealer claimed the timing chain had stretched but the tensioner was ok - I had this is writing via an email.  As the car was out of warranty and had not been supplied by the dealer, skoda offered no goodwill towards the repair cost.  So I contacted my third party warranty company, who fortunately for me, have agreed to pay.  It then took over 2 weeks for the parts to arrive at the dealer - the chain was on back order (?).  In the end the dealer changed their mind and decided that the tensioner had failed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I was lucky, no engine damage and the bill came to 850.  The car is back up and running but I have ended up complaing to the CEO of Skoda UK and the MD of the dealership.  Shocking customer care - have been told I am not a Skoda customer as I didn't buy the car (purchased last Sept) through Skoda and my last service wasn't Skoda (although the first 3 were) - have been told I am not brand loyal - have had my Skoda UK case closed against my wishes - and have been lied to by the dealer.  I am currently waiting to hear back from the CEO and MD.  Will let you know . . .

[Stevery]

I am sorry to hear that bad news and will add details of the failure to the growing list in the first post. Could you please post the age of your car (month and year), how the failure occurred (eg on startup), whether or not there had been any prior timing chain rattle, whether full Skoda service history or otherwise, variable or fixed servicing, and which warranty company covers your car? Also have you been advised of any fault codes logged? Car Care Plan were excellent recently in covering my claim in full for a replacement final drive for my Octavia II 1.8TSI 4X4.

Thanks, my car was registered in December 2008, and it occurred on start up. When it was recovered I got the fault code but can't find where I wrote it down, but it was something to do with the fuel pump.

Yes there was a bit of a rattle on start up, which I'd talked to the dealer about when it was last serviced. They told it was due to the oil being cold or something. It has full skoda service history and the extended skoda warranty. Should find out what's happening tomorrow.

[Gareth1973]

HELP...

I own a Octavia Vrs limited edition "09 plate" with 54000 miles. The engine management light has come on and I have had it checked at a local garage. They came back with a fault code of: P0016, he changed the cam censor with no joy.

The car is out of warranty but has been serviced by Skoda without missing a single service.

I am worried what could be wrong, reading the horror story's on here.

Do Skoda know this is a common fault? Have I got a leg to stand on???

Any advise would be great.

[m0bov]

If its out of warranty I guess not, its up to your garage to fix it, that's what you paid them for?

[Norco]

If its out of warranty I guess not, its up to your garage to fix it, that's what you paid them for?

 

That's perhaps a little harsh judging by the rest of this thread. 

 

@Gareth1973 You need to get in touch with both your local dealer and Skoda UK. Explain the problem and ask the Skoda dealership to diagnose it. When you speak to Skoda UK you need to stress that it has been maintained as per the schedule and by Skoda demonstrating brand loyalty if the failure is due to the chain tensioner then this thread alone is demonstrating the goodwill they are willing to provide. Remember that this is a non serviceable part which essentially means that it is not anticipated that it should require any maintenance during the life of the engine. It would not be exceptional to expect that a modern engine (5 years old with low mileage such as yours) to last a great deal longer so I would anticipate some Sales of Goods and small claims court actions in the future if these failures continue. 

 

That said still have to remember that these failures are in the minority and spread across the VAG group. I'm am really sorry to hear that it has happened to you.

[Stevery]

Thanks, my car was registered in December 2008, and it occurred on start up. When it was recovered I got the fault code but can't find where I wrote it down, but it was something to do with the fuel pump.

Yes there was a bit of a rattle on start up, which I'd talked to the dealer about when it was last serviced. They told it was due to the oil being cold or something. It has full skoda service history and the extended skoda warranty. Should find out what's happening tomorrow.

 

Got the car back today, new engine fitted all covered under the warranty, very pleased with that.  Overall took over 3 weeks to resolve. The warranty only covers 5 days of a hire car, which I had to sort myself and claim back.  Luckily I could borrow a family members car, plus the dealer gave me a courtesy car for the last 10 days (albiet a Citigo, no offence I thought the B class merc hire car was slow...!)  So extending the warranty was well worth it in hindsight!  Reading back over the posts, perhaps with the extended warranty being not through Skoda, it maybe slightly better in the situation I had.  Anyway looking forward to driving it again!

 

Steve

[DGW]

Thank you for that feedback, Steve, and a good result for you.

[mhr]

Dead 2011 Skoda Octavia Scout 1.8TSI - 85,000 miles (out of warranty on miles but under 3 years).

 

Garage: "Spark plug has melted and bits have fallen into cylinder which is seriously scored inside".

Me: "Could this be caused by the slipping timing chain known fault?".

Garage: "I've never heard of the timing chain slipping in the 1.8TSI plus you have missed a service so Skoda won't offer any goodwill".

 

On longlife servicing, I do not recall the car asking for a service. I wouldn't have just ignored it forever!?!?

I do recall a service light coming on some time after a previous service and being surprised. I took the car back and someone just came out with a computer, plugged in and reset something. Could this have caused it to not ask for a service when next due?

 

Can anyone offer any advice on similar cases? Known issues? How to approach Skoda? Or anything I can do?

Many Thanks,

M.

[DGW]

I am sorry to hear of your problem. What services have you had done and when, and did any of these include the spark plugs being replaced?

[m0bov]

You would be due a spark plug change at your next service. if there is no spanner light on then no service is needed, they can check with their computer how many miles since last service, so can anyone else with VCDS. Did you buy the car new?

[mhr]

From memory (the book is in the car, in the garage), services were around 18,000 & 50,000. They say it should've been serviced in between these. At the time the fault occured, it was overdue. I hold my hands up to that. Might have been 5 to 10 K over. It is now at 85,000 ish.

I am not aware of plugs being changed at any service. Is that one of the tick boxes in the log book?

I did buy the car new (Rainworth) although not from the Skoda dealer I took it to when it died (Aberdeen).

[Gti Jazz Blue]

Even on longlife service regime (which I don't trust personally) I'm pretty sure that 32K between services is a bit much. Good luck with any claim - but you might well be P***ing in the wind.

[Norco]

Ouch - sorry to hear there has been another one. One service in 67k miles is exceptionally long thought. We were on variable (changed to fixed at the last service) and although ours is a year older (2010 plate) it has already had 3 services and only covered 24k!

 

Good luck with any claim you make and please keep us up to date with how you get on but like others have said it might be a big ask.

Edited 2 October, 2014 by Norco

[JB-)]

I do recall a service light coming on some time after a previous service and being surprised. I took the car back and someone just came out with a computer, plugged in and reset something. Could this have caused it to not ask for a service when next due?

 

If they did reset the service indicator then that would be the reason for it not warning you one was due in time, so this might be something you can look in to. 

 

 

From memory (the book is in the car, in the garage), services were around 18,000 & 50,000. They say it should've been serviced in between these. At the time the fault occured, it was overdue. I hold my hands up to that. Might have been 5 to 10 K over. It is now at 85,000 ish.

I am not aware of plugs being changed at any service. Is that one of the tick boxes in the log book?

I did buy the car new (Rainworth) although not from the Skoda dealer I took it to when it died (Aberdeen).

 

30k between services is far too much. I personally don't like these extended service intervals and I think every 10k is a must, but even so it shouldn't go more than 20k even on extended. 5 to 10k overdue is a significant amount, especially when it's a 30k interval already.

 

For the 2 litre vRS the plugs should be done at 56k, so yours may have missed them being changed if it's the same. Something else to look in to.

[blackspaven]

Yup, might be wrong but from memory the longlife service which every 1.8 comes out the factory set to is about 20k after the initial 16-18k service so that's a VERY long time to be leaving it! There's a reason I switched to the other service regimen after that initial one.

[Gti Jazz Blue]

First thing I did with mine was have it serviced at 1 year old and switched to fixed servicing.

[Yeti_Man]

Agreed with the above - mines had oil changes every 5k miles so at 40,000 miles its had 8 changes and filters - be very interesting to hear if anyone that's been on fixed (or even more often) oil changes has had this component fail.

[DICKEAST]

Hi,

Mine (see previous posts in this topc) was serviced regularly on a fixed basis, ... didn't stop it dying tho' :-(

[piv34uk]

Hi all. just thought i would add again to this topic.... purchased mine this time last year, serviced it myself because im an ATA service technician with Toyota, 2 days later it died..... previous owner only had variable service done less than 9 months previous and me being me i decided i would do the lot, oil air pollen fuel filters etc with a plug change for good measure. Was it he fresh oil or just the complete lousy design of the tensioner..... Luckily mine only jumped 5 teeth so engine had no damage but has thus far been fine with the new tensioner chain and slipper guides fitted.

 

I must say Skoda customer service was brilliant from Merrits in Aylesbury considering they had never seen the car before, they did however comment it was "nice" that i had been a Skoda owner since 2003, still have my red 03 and also the newer 60 plate...(sold DaveU`s old beast a while back)

 

Keep safe

Phil

[Krispe]

Mine is into Lion Garages in Northampton, (VW/Skoda specialist),  to have a new chain tensioner, chain and guides fitted today. It's a 59reg VRS TSI with 74k miles of trouble free motoring I've had from new, but my paranoia has got the best of me so now having the chain tensioner replaced along with the chain and guides as a precaution. I just think of it as the same as having the cambelt replaced on my previous VRS TFSI. Cost is £435 + VAT (£522). My plan is to keep the car for another 3 years so to me it makes sense, I have been using Warranty Direct for the last two years since the Skoda Warranty ran out, but the renewal cost for next year is as more than replacing the chain tensioner, plus there is now no guarantee they will pay out if it fails???

[Gti Jazz Blue]

Well I have the official Skoda extended warranty for the next two years, and if I want to keep it beyond that will look to having the lot changed at my dealer, that should then result in the latest parts fitted and a further 2 years limited cover against the issue.

[Buckster]

I'm still looking for a VRS - I've seen others on here quote circa 500 for replacement parts for tensioner etc

 

is that "the" fix - or is there still a chance of problems ?  there have been a few revisions it seems and I wasn't sure if the current one is completely fixed or not - the 2.0T Skodas are good value, and even adding £500 onto price of one (plus negotiation) they are a good deal

 

thanks

[Krispe]

Car is now back from Lion Garages and running perfectly, even sounds a little quieter at idle. Price would be around the £350 mark if you just change the tensioner, but I decided to get the chain done as well as they can still stretch over time. My old style tensioner that they removed was still ok though, no chipped teeth on the ratchet. However it was still worth the upgrade to me for the piece of mind

 

Buckster - The VRS is a great car. I've had mine from new and it's been brilliant, fast and practical (mines an estate) and still looks great in Race Blue, it also has Eibach Anti-Rollbars and springs fitted. I have now passed it over to the wife to use as her car instead and planning on us  keeping it a further 2 - 3 years. My car being a 59 plate with now 74k miles was at the biggest risk of failure, however the original tensioner was fine and may have never failed, (you need to remember this engine is in lots of cars, Golf GTI, TT, A3,A4,A5, Leon, etc so the percentage of failures is actually very very low based on the number of cars out there.) If your worried pay the £350-500 for the new tensioner and piece of mind on a great  car with an otherwise great engine!

Edited 13 October, 2014 by Krispe

[Wardy-]

Hi All.

 

I've just found out that my Chain Belt has gone as well and that I need a new engine :(

 

I've got an extended warranty and just waiting to hear back as to whether it's covered. I assume this should all be covered as it's a mechnical failure? Can't believe something like this can happen on a car with only 47k on the clock.... absolute nightmare.