So I'm going to look at a 12 plate petrol VRS on Tuesday at a Skoda dealer.... Ive been quite keen for a petrol car but scared myself with the Thread above talking about engine failures with the Timing chain tensioner. The thread has sort of died off the last couple of years. Have there been any major advances with the tensioner design?

I k ow it's a rare failure but I couldn't afford even a 50% paid for replacement. Thanks for any help in advance!

I started a thread on this very subject. You will find it a couple of pages back.

Thank you! I'll have a look!!

Hmm having read these posts I'm thinking about dropping the petrol for a diesel.

'12 plate will be a TSI (not TFSI) EA888 motor with the timing chain - it's noted that '12 build VRS at some point came with the updated chain tensioner which is the current unit that the offending units are being 'updated' to.

 

Buy a later '12 model and you'll be OK.

 

Otherwise, if you get an earlier model i.e. 09/10/11, you can use this to your advantage when bargaining/purchasing - just factor in up to $1k to do the timing chain tensioner + chain etc. as soon as the car is purchased.  Make sure oil changes have been frequently done / log book stamped.

Oh and read this

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/266114-18tsi-and-20tsi-engine-failures/

Hmm having read these posts I'm thinking about dropping the petrol for a diesel.

The diesels aren't problem free either. DPF being one.

Hmm having read these posts I'm thinking about dropping the petrol for a diesel.

I believe there has been some issues with a egr cooler on the diesels thats a expensive fix,if i was to buy a facelift tsi vrs then the first thing i personally would do is have the timing chain tensioner replaced along with the chain & guides etc if required for peace of mind.

Mine is an early 12 model and has the problem. At least I thought so. I've used VCDS to check if the tensioner is working correctly and the values showed it's somehow around the edge of failure.

 

Later models do have a better design though. I'm going to check if mine has the upgraded tensioner or not later.