Crikey. Why not just change your car?

 

For what ?

 

A mate of mine has a brand new Merc SLA - it's done 42k miles and is in the dealer for the fourth time having packed up at the side of the road ! I know people running new Fords, Vauxhalls BMW's etc they all have problems

 

So a Skoda vRS has a timing chain that is nearly as reliable as a timing belt - but the engine is otherwise pretty damn good, I like the car for it's understated blend of go, space and fun.

 

I did say earlier that having had a fault free Honda this would be my last VAG product, but the car has really grown on me.

 

Anything you buy that is as the same size and as fast as the vRS will either have a bigger engine and use more gas, or be the same size and equally stressed. IMHO

I was being a bit flippant

 

Personally I wouldn't have bothered with the upgrade, as the chances of it happening are much less than someone running into you head on, or you having a heart attack / a plane crashing onto you etc etc. You're right, all cars have some achilles heel, it's a question of how likely and how serious the consequences.

Yeah, to be fair Hatr, it is an incredibly low minority of cars that have been affected by this, so if it gives you peace of mind to change it, fair enough, but it's very unlucky if it does go. There's as much chance of something going on any other car, realistically.

 

If it turns out there's no chance of failure on these new revisions then it makes sense, but if not it could be seen as a pricey fix, just a shame it's not cheaper to sort than half a grand!

As a few have pointed out in this thread, it would be most unlucky for it to happen, but I have decided to take preventative action and have the tensioner replaced in mine as it is an early 2011 model, so definitely has one of the earlier tensioners, maybe 2nd revision at best.

 

My VAG Specialist (Ian Collins Automotive in Garstang, Preston) has quoted £350 all in to get it done, so it's booked in December, for peace of mind more than anything else, as I want to keep the car a while yet.

 

What is concerncing though is everyone saying change the chain and guides as well, unfortunately I am not going that far and only changing the tensioner.

£350 seems a pretty good price!

I was being a bit flippant

 

Personally I wouldn't have bothered with the upgrade, as the chances of it happening are much less than someone running into you head on, or you having a heart attack / a plane crashing onto you etc etc. You're right, all cars have some achilles heel, it's a question of how likely and how serious the consequences.

 

 

Sorry, my bad !!

 

Yeah, to be fair Hatr, it is an incredibly low minority of cars that have been affected by this, so if it gives you peace of mind to change it, fair enough, but it's very unlucky if it does go. There's as much chance of something going on any other car, realistically.

 

If it turns out there's no chance of failure on these new revisions then it makes sense, but if not it could be seen as a pricey fix, just a shame it's not cheaper to sort than half a grand!

 

Just think of it as a cam belt change !!

 

As a few have pointed out in this thread, it would be most unlucky for it to happen, but I have decided to take preventative action and have the tensioner replaced in mine as it is an early 2011 model, so definitely has one of the earlier tensioners, maybe 2nd revision at best.

 

My VAG Specialist (Ian Collins Automotive in Garstang, Preston) has quoted £350 all in to get it done, so it's booked in December, for peace of mind more than anything else, as I want to keep the car a while yet.

 

What is concerncing though is everyone saying change the chain and guides as well, unfortunately I am not going that far and only changing the tensioner.

 

Stu, my car,  a 10 plate had done 36k miles when I had the chain, tensioner, guides and cover oil seals replaced, the car had rattled on start up four times to my knowledge and once when the garage drove it in.

 

The chain had stretched and the tensioner was failing because the chain had damaged the inside of the timing cover and damaged the guides - if I was doing the job again I would have had a new timing cover as well - it cost me £430 at the Lion Garage Nuneaton including an oil and filter change.

 

It's your money, but I would recommend the swapping the lot  - if VW/Skoda could have got away with just changing the tensioner they would have  - but they didn't and I suggest you don't.

Hmmm, yeah fair enough, but a cambelt change is an absolute necessity, a chain change isn't, it's just seem like bad luck if it goes.

 

No brainer if it gets cheap to do with time though.

Stu, my car, a 10 plate had done 36k miles when I had the chain, tensioner, guides and cover oil seals replaced, the car had rattled on start up four times to my knowledge and once when the garage drove it in.

The chain had stretched and the tensioner was failing because the chain had damaged the inside of the timing cover and damaged the guides - if I was doing the job again I would have had a new timing cover as well - it cost me £430 at the Lion Garage Nuneaton including an oil and filter change.

It's your money, but I would recommend the swapping the lot - if VW/Skoda could have got away with just changing the tensioner they would have - but they didn't and I suggest you don't.

I am having the timing cover changed, just not the chain.

I see your point, but can I suggest another way of looking at it?

The original chain assembly (chain, tensioner, guides) appears to last to about 35K, after that you're getting onto thin ice, even if the new assembly is as bad as the original, you'll get at least another 35K miles before it goes bang.

For me, I decided to change my chain assembly and enjoy the car while watching the increasing numbers of cars ( 7 since I changed mine) go bang while people ignore the problem.

So worst case - when the 'new' assembly hits 35K miles I'll swap it again, best case - the 'new' assembly proves good and I can choose to leave it to maybe 70k miles, but it does give me options.

For what it's worth, I've moved my service back to 10k miles fixed and I might yet change oil and filter at 5k - it's cheaper than paying £1300 - £6000 for a new engine.

"you pays your money and you takes your choice"

Think it's a bit of an exaggeration saying it only lasts 35k. I just sold my 2010 tsi two months ago with 64k miles and no issues or unusual noises (had stage 1 remap, serviced every 10k miles and full rev range used regularly). Factor in how many tsi engines are in circulation throughout the vag group compared to the number of failures and it is still unlucky to have it fail. Forums are great for highlighting issues but few people post to say they've had no problems. As you say if it worries you then replace it.

Yup, coming up to 65k without missing a heartbeat. Can't say what will happen but can't grumble so far.

As a few have pointed out in this thread, it would be most unlucky for it to happen, but I have decided to take preventative action and have the tensioner replaced in mine as it is an early 2011 model, so definitely has one of the earlier tensioners, maybe 2nd revision at best.

 

My VAG Specialist (Ian Collins Automotive in Garstang, Preston) has quoted £350 all in to get it done, so it's booked in December, for peace of mind more than anything else, as I want to keep the car a while yet.

 

What is concerncing though is everyone saying change the chain and guides as well, unfortunately I am not going that far and only changing the tensioner.

Stu,

 

Mine's late 2010 and has done 39,000 miles so I was thinking of having the same done as you. The price is good and Garstang is only a few miles away from me. Who did you speak to there please? Have they got experience of other VAG TSIs needing similar work?

Stu,

 

Mine's late 2010 and has done 39,000 miles so I was thinking of having the same done as you. The price is good and Garstang is only a few miles away from me. Who did you speak to there please? Have they got experience of other VAG TSIs needing similar work?

 

Hi Rizmod,

 

He is called Ian Collins (ICA), he is a one man band but very, very good.

 

http://www.vwaudispecialistpreston.co.uk/

 

If you ring 01995 640958, say you have spoken to Stuart and would like a price for a tensioner change he should give you one straight away, as he only quoted me last week.

 

He has done a few Golf GTIs, same job.

 

Bear in mind he is very busy, mine is being done mid December so you will be looking later than that.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers.

Hi. Looking for some advice from people that have had the same engine problem that I am experiencing with my octavia vrs at the moment. Chain tensioner has failed which has allowed the chain to jump which has screwed up the engine. Skoda Uk are only offering me 25% goodwill since my car is out of warranty. Car is only 5yrs old with 33500 miles on the clock.

Looking at a 5k repair bill which am not willing to pay.

Has anyone had any success in getting Skoda Uk to pay up?

Any advice is greatly appreciated

Thanks

Hi. Looking for some advice from people that have had the same engine problem that I am experiencing with my octavia vrs at the moment. Chain tensioner has failed which has allowed the chain to jump which has screwed up the engine. Skoda Uk are only offering me 25% goodwill since my car is out of warranty. Car is only 5yrs old with 33500 miles on the clock.

Looking at a 5k repair bill which am not willing to pay.

Has anyone had any success in getting Skoda Uk to pay up?

Any advice is greatly appreciated

Thanks

Try reading the thread.

What he said.

In a 2013 survey by Warrant Direct VAG engines came 29th out of 35 manufacturers in terms of reliability with Honda being the best, food for thought.

Ok, I am new to this forum malarkey so am just trying to find my way about. I will look back at everything now

Ok, I am new to this forum malarkey so am just trying to find my way about. I will look back at everything now

 

Not sure where you are, but If I was in your position I would consider getting a specialist to have a look, general consensus from people I know in the trade is main dealers don't repair engines they just replace them - no matter how minor the damage.

 

Clearly there is always a chance your engine is scrap, but I know of engines that failed at 80mph on the motorway and just needed a new cam belt, conversely some engines failed at start up and needed a new block, but there must be a fair chance that your engine may be repairable, which a specialist could do.

 

If my engine had failed I would not have rewarded a crappy arrogant main dealer with the work, either I would have stripped it and rebuilt it, found a breakers with another engine or broken the car and sold it for spares on ebay, but I wouldn't have spent £3000 plus buying another engine.

 

Can I suggest you go back to the dealer and ask for a list of failed parts "screwed up engine" doesn't count - ask if the bores are ok, are the pistons ok, how many valves are bent, what is the condition of the camshafts and head, did the turbo suffer any parts ingress ?

 

When you get your answer, come back and post it here.

I called the skoda dealership that have my car at the moment and they have told me that it is more cost effective to replace the base engine rather than for them to strip it down because of the labour costs involved with the stripping down of the engine. I have asked them to send me a report of what all is damaged and I know by the phone call there is a huge amount of damage to valves, pistons etc. I will look into a second hand engine if skoda don't pay out. I am not going to give up without a fight though as the chain tensioner is a none serviceable part and should not be failing at 33500 miles.The mechanic at the garage has informed that the tensioner/chain is a component that should never need to be inspected. I am awaiting a phone call from skoda UK customer services manager.

I have updated the list in my first post to include details of your car's failure.  Keep up the pressure on Skoda UK and good luck. 

I have a 2011 Petrol Skoda Octavia VRS with 34,000 miles on the clock with full Skoda service History. I went to start the car on Sunday and when I turned the key it nearly started then made an strange noise from the engine and then would not start after that, I got the car recovered to my local Skoda dealer who also services the car although I brought from a car garage (not Skoda) about 2 years ago so after 3 days of not getting back to me they have now told me today that the timing is massively out and that I need a new engine! They did say that this was nothing I have done and that they are going to ask Skoda for a contribution so I will just have to wait and see.

I have added details of this failure to the list in my initial post. Did you buy the car new from a Skoda dealer?   Please let is know how you get on and, in the meantime, have a good read of this thread to see how others have fared in getting help from Skoda UK.

Seems the 30,000 - 45,000 mark is a scary place to be!

 

Only on 17,000 miles on my 10 plate but this is ALWAYS on the back of my mind :(

Seems the 30,000 - 45,000 mark is a scary place to be!

Only on 17,000 miles on my 10 plate but this is ALWAYS on the back of my mind :(

Not really. Mine was past 60k when I sold it. Never bothered me as it affects a small minority of cars. Very unlucky if it happens to you but the way people speak on here seems to suggest it will happen by a certain mileage. ....not the case!

It does seem to be a bit of a lottery, however you don't want these numbers to come up.