A month ago the engine management light came on. I went to the dealer for a quick and reliable diagnosis as I need the car on the road. The fault was on cylinder 1 so they moved the injector to cylinder 2 and the coil to cylinder 3.

Everything was fine but the light and misfire returned yesterday.

I went back to the dealer today and the fault is still with cylinder 1. Now the dealer says I need a new cylinder head, valves and catalytic converter. Apparently they sell a kit for just over £700 including VAT, then it is 7.5 hours labour.

I can get the labour done cheaper but apparently it is a big job.

Does anyone else have experience of buying and fitting this kit? Apparently it's discounted and only available from the dealer.

Thanks, Keith

You could probably source a decent second hand head for a fraction of that cost and pay an independent to do the work.

I wouldn't replace the catalytic converter unless it has definitely deteriorated the extent that it will fail the MOT on emissions.

What is the age/mileage of the car?

Edited 13 June, 201313 yr by booke23

Is it the 6-valve or 12-valve version of the 1.2?

I've seen fully refurbed 12v heads on Ebay for around 250-275.

Haven't looked at 6v ones, but ought to be significantly cheaper.

Guess you'd want to replace the chain kit while it's in bits, as the cover has to come off anyway I think, 'nother £100-ish there in parts.

As above, cat may not be damaged, and a 2nd-hand genuine one should be pretty affordable if it turns out to be needed later.

Thanks both for your replies, the car is an '06 plate with 57,000 miles. I am the second owner a bought it at 2 years old with 6,000 miles. This is the only problem I have ever had with it and my 18 year old son drives it now. It is a 1.2 HTP 12v.

The dealer did mention doing something with the chains. Do they need replacing or just checking / adjusting?

The timing chain is self-adjusting on a hydraulic tensioner. Some early cars (<2004 I think, but don't quote me) had trouble with the tensioner and one of the guide rails being a tad short IIRC. Yours will be a revised design tensioner, and guide rail. The chain is 'fit for life of engine', so at 57000 I wouldn't bother changing it I don't think. Had it been an earlier car, or much higher mileage, I would.

Another thing to consider is getting a second opinion on the diagnosis. Compression test ought to do it, £15 for a tester and DIY it, or not that much more for an independent garage to confirm/deny.

It's also worth investigating what actual part on the head is causing the problem. Do they think it's cracked or something?

For instance, if it's just a worn cam, that can be replaced easily enough without resorting to getting a new head. As mentioned I wouldn't bother with a new chain at that mileage......on the 1.4 the interval is 120,000 miles regardless of age....and even then most people don't worry about it until it gets noisy.

Edited 13 June, 201313 yr by booke23

Thanks again both,

I think they just quote for a top of the shop job to cover whatever they find and make more money the 'kit' assumes the cat is damaged and also assumes a new head is required. I have done some more research and will definitely seek a couple more opinions. The most common mechanical fault on the 1.2 HTP seems to be exhaust valves. The pragmatic approach appears to be choose a good independent, get the head off, see what's wrong and leave the cat and timing chain unless they need attention.

I live in Rugby and there is an independent VAG dealer here, VASSTECH. Has anyone used them or can anyone recommend a good local independent Skoda specialist?