I Need Help & Advice Please.

[BLUETFSi]

Hi Everyone, I am new to this forum, so go easy on me.

 

I need some advice with regards to my recently purchased 2010 Octavia VRS 2.0 TFSI. The car has just turned over to 106,000 miles, with full supplying Skoda dealer service history, it was last serviced at 96,000 miles & is on the follow display service schedule (so due soon)

 

On Monday morning this week, i went out to the car as normal & upon start up, there was a very very brief metallic rattle from the top of the engine,

it lasted perhaps half a second to a second, then ran as normal, no funny noises etc.

 

I thought this was strange & upon getting home from work, decided to look up what the rattle may have been. it seems it is the cam chain tensioner on its way out.  I am genuinly now too scared to even start the car after

what i found & read, it has not been used since monday.    

 

As it is now out of warranty & i cant afford a replacement engine if it lunches itself, i need some advice on, cost of replacing the tensioner & where is a good independant skoda garage that could do this job?

 

Sorry if this is confusing, i just need some knowledgeable advice, because i am scared to use my lovely car at the moment.

 

Many thanks.

BLUETFSi

 

 

 

 

[Rustynuts]

No help at all I'm afraid, but Kudos for being smart enough to not drive it until you're sure it's okay.

[Tilt]

Hello and welcome.

 

First question would be - 'recently purchased', from who / where / when?

 

Secondly, Scotland is quite a big place, I think. Where about's are you looking for an indy garage?, not that I can help you with that one.

 

Thirdly, has the cam chain been replaced before, and if so, any mention of the tensioner being done too. (You sure yours has cam chain?).

 

Good luck with it anyway.

[BLUETFSi]

Hello and welcome.

 

First question would be - 'recently purchased', from who / where / when?

 

Secondly, Scotland is quite a big place, I think. Where about's are you looking for an indy garage?, not that I can help you with that one.

 

Thirdly, has the cam chain been replaced before, and if so, any mention of the tensioner being done too. (You sure yours has cam chain?).

 

Good luck with it anyway.

Hi, thanks for replying back to me,

i purchased the car privately after seeing it advertised on a classified ad on a well known auction website. Everything checked out with the car, HPi check,  the service history etc. I had no issues about buying it at the time (2 weeks ago). I never knew about the tensioner issues before i bought it (i just thought because the old mk1 octavia was pretty much bullet proof, this would be the same reliability wise)

 

I did look in the service book & at all the reciepts from the Skoda Dealer, & apart from service items, like spark plugs, filters & oil etc, there is NO mention of any cam chain replacement in its life. 

As for, does it have a cam chain?, i believe it has (from what i have read anyway). it is the 2.0 TFSi engine.

 

 

I am somewhere near Edinburgh.

Many Thanks

BLUETFSi

[silver1011]

Take it to a franchised Skoda dealer and tell them what you've told us. Tell them you are aware of the weaknesses on the cam chains and that you want them to examine it.

 

They'll charge you but as it is a well known and documented issue then due to your full service history there is a very good chance that you will get some goodwill contribution from Skoda UK on a replacement if needed.

 

If a replacement isn't needed ask them to put it in writing, if it fails then you'll have some comeback.

[silver1011]

If the dealer plays the "we've never heard of this issue before sir" then show them this thread...

 

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

 

Or find a better dealer.

 

It is also worth sending a quick message to Skoda UK using this online form. Explain the issue, again tell them you know of issues with this part and ask them for advice...

 

http://www.skoda.co.uk/about-us/contact-us (They normally respond within 24 hours, or alternatively give them a ring).

 

They will open a case on the proviso you take it to one of their dealers for an inspection. If the dealer comes back and says the chain has stretched then you'll already have a case open and the chance of goodwill will be improved as Skoda UK are already in the loop, you aren't then relying completely on the dealer fighting your corner.

[BLUETFSi]

Take it to a franchised Skoda dealer and tell them what you've told us. Tell them you are aware of the weaknesses on the cam chains and that you want them to examine it.

 

They'll charge you but as it is a well known and documented issue then due to your full service history there is a very good chance that you will get some goodwill contribution from Skoda UK on a replacement if needed.

 

If a replacement isn't needed ask them to put it in writing, if it fails then you'll have some comeback.

Hi silver1011, thank you for your informative reply, i really appreciate that advice you have given me   . I have read the list of failures, that you said to point the dealer in the direction of if they play the "never heard of it Sir"  trick, that is why i am worried after reading it.

 

I know this sounds silly, but,is it a general enquiry i send? or a complaint? & once i get in contact with Skoda UK & they tell me to take it to a dealer, how will i get it to them? i do not want to attempt to start or drive the car to get it to them. Would they be able to recover it to them? (at my cost).

many Thanks

BLUETFSi

Edited 23 September, 2016 by BLUETFSi

[silver1011]

If you really don't want to start it (and I understand why) then I guess you are looking at having to have it recovered whether you take it to a main dealer or an independent, so this will be a cost you have to stump up for regardless.

 

I think I'd chance it and drive it over but I'm a risk taker 

 

Do you have a friend or family member who could tow you? A lot of threads on here suggest that dealer choice is limited in Scotland, and also distances covered to reach them. How far from your nearest dealer are you?

 

Take a quick look here first, gives a good insight into your nearest dealer...

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/55-skoda-dealers-reviews-scotland/

Edited 23 September, 2016 by silver1011

[BLUETFSi]

If you really don't want to start it (and I understand why) then I guess you are looking at having to have it recovered whether you take it to a main dealer or an independent, so this will be a cost you have to stump up for regardless.

 

I think I'd chance it and drive it over but I'm a risk taker 

 

Do you have a friend or family member who could tow you? A lot of threads on here suggest that dealer choice is limited in Scotland, and also distances covered to reach them. How far from your nearest dealer are you?

 

Take a quick look here first, gives a good insight into your nearest dealer...

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/55-skoda-dealers-reviews-scotland/

 ....i like taking risks myself, but not on a potential £5-6k replacement engine bill , i have genuinely scared myself to even start/drive it.  So, it looks like it will need to be recovered.  :yes: . The closest dealer to me is probably the one

at Sighthill.

 

I am going to fire off a little message to Skoda UK, I guess i should also tell them that i do not want to start the car because of this? & see what they say?

I will keep you all posted on what happens from here. 

Thank you so much for the help & advice.

Edited 23 September, 2016 by BLUETFSi

[silver1011]

Best to be safe than sorry!

[Wet Kipper]

 

I am somewhere near Edinburgh.

 

As in your nearest Dealer would be recently expanded, family business based West End (sighthill / Dunfermline / Stirling, used to be in Uphall) or would it be Arnold Clark at Seafield?

[BLUETFSi]

As in your nearest Dealer would be recently expanded, family business based West End (sighthill / Dunfermline / Stirling, used to be in Uphall) or would it be Arnold Clark at Seafield?

Correct, it would be West End Garage. No offence to anyone here, but my car is going no where near an arnold shark garage.

[meta55b]

 ....i like taking risks myself, but not on a potential £5-6k replacement engine bill , i have genuinely scared myself to even start/drive it.  So, it looks like it will need to be recovered.  :yes: . The closest dealer to me is probably the one

at Sighthill.

 

I am going to fire off a little message to Skoda UK, I guess i should also tell them that i do not want to start the car because of this? & see what they say?

I will keep you all posted on what happens from here. 

Thank you so much for the help & advice.

There's a VAG specialist in Edinburgh, don't remember the name. They have a good reputation.

[BLUETFSi]

There's a VAG specialist in Edinburgh, don't remember the name. They have a good reputation.

Hi meta55b, Thanks for the heads up. I have done what silver1011 said, & contacted Skoda UK via their online contact form. As it is Friday night now, i expect that i might not hear anything back from them until Monday.

 

I would rather it went to Skoda themselves if there is any goodwill gesture in this. However, if not, then a good independent it will have to be.  

 

I am missing driving my car sooooo much right now  :( , I am relegated to using the other halfs Astra 1.6 twinport....quite a comedown from the VRS...

Edited 23 September, 2016 by BLUETFSi

[FatblokeVRS]

There's a guy in Stirling I think does VAG stuff (Porsche etc also).

He may be able to do the work or advise.

SP Autobahn

Unit 2

2 Borrowmeadow Road

Stirling

07973 385 463

[TheClient]

2010TFSI should be facelift mk2 with CCZA engine and vulnerable tensioner with timing chain (not belt) . You should check but it does sound like your engine will be one marketed as a TSI by skoda and you should check vin sticker inside front passenger door aperture which should have engine code or, alternatively check engine cover and layout confirming chain CCZA ea888 vw series engine.

A metallic noise on startup is worrying, it may be related to the tensioner operation. It may just be valve ohc noise but the vulnerability of this engine suggests caution. Worst case is just the caution costs a few hundred £££. Better than a new engine replacement especially when you may not know the history...

If an independent was used a timing chain and tensioner replacement is from around £600 and up. At a skoda dealer I suspect around £1000 up but could never get one to commit to a price for a preventative quote for me.

Edited 23 September, 2016 by TheClient

[BLUETFSi]

2010TFSI should be facelift mk2 with CCZA engine and vulnerable tensioner with timing chain (not belt) . You should check but it does sound like your engine will be one marketed as a TSI by skoda and you should check vin sticker inside front passenger door aperture which should have engine code or, alternatively check engine cover and layout confirming chain CCZA ea888 vw series engine.

A metallic noise on startup is worrying, it may be related to the tensioner operation. It may just be valve ohc noise but the vulnerability of this engine suggests caution. Worst case is just the caution costs a few hundred £££. Better than a new engine replacement especially when you may not know the history...

If an independent was used a timing chain and tensioner replacement is from around £600 and up. At a skoda dealer I suspect around £1000 up but could never get one to commit to a price for a preventative quote for me.

Hi, You are correct, it is a facelift mk2 with the CCZA ea888 vw series engine. It comes back as a VRS 2.0 TFSi, The noise is like, say, an old vauxhall corsa 1.2 with slack timing chain on start up, i can only describe it as sounding similar to that. it only lasted around half a second to 1 second max, then ran as normal. But as said, after i found out the possible cause, i have not used or started it since, because i don't want to run the risk of the chain slipping off the camshafts, if it is the tensioner.

 

There are no other worrying things about the car. it drives amazing, runs well etc. 

Also, thanks for the heads up on the indie garage FatblokeVRS   , I will keep him in mind.

Thanks

BLUETFSi

Edited 23 September, 2016 by BLUETFSi

[BLUETFSi]

Hi Everyone, Sorry for the mega delay in updating this thread, i have been very busy since i last posted.

 

Update on my lovely FL Octy VRS     

 

I did originally message Skoda UK, As advised to, & they did indeed reply back, wanting me to take it to my nearest Skoda Dealer for investigation into this noise, However, due to work commitments, life etc....I did not manage to get it arranged, plus i dont want to pay £300 odd for just a diagnosis, then more for repair etc..So fast forward a few weeks &.....

 

I have finally managed to get it booked into a well rated, knowledgeable, independent Audi/VW/Skoda Specialist in Edinburgh, for replacement of...The Timing Chain/s, Timing Chain Guides & Cam Chain Tensioner. I am so happy, I can finally use my car once it is fixed... :thumbup: The Indy also asked me if "it rattles" then said "they usually jump the off the cam chain when starting"...

 

 

All of the above, because of a brief half a second/ 1 second rattle from the engine on cold start up (sounds very like an old 1.2 corsa with a slack/worn timing chain),

which is apparently a sign of impending cam chain tensioner failure, which is catastrophic for these engines when it does indeed fail.

 

 

So PLEASE, If you are reading this & you have a MK2 Facelift Octavia VRS 2.0 TFSI, CCZA engine code, & have this noise, PLEASE get it checked out/Repaired, otherwise,

you will regret not doing it.

 

The only downside is, that i need to wait until the 21st of this month for it to get done, as they are fully booked up until then.

 

For everyone that replied originally, I cannot thank you all enough for your very helpful advice  :thumbup:  :thumbup: .

 

I will defiinitley post up pictures of it once it is sorted, because it is a smart looking thing.

[mikey vrs]

Glad your getting it sorted,yours is a TSI not a TFSI as the pre facelift octavia was fitted with the TFSI engine which has a cambelt & a chain that links the cams,the TSI engine fitted to your car only has a chain,no cambelt. 

[BLUETFSi]

Glad your getting it sorted,yours is a TSI not a TFSI as the pre facelift octavia was fitted with the TFSI engine which has a cambelt & a chain that links the cams,the TSI engine fitted to your car only has a chain,no cambelt. 

Hi mikey vrs,  I am also glad to be getting it sorted, i miss it alot...lol. As for the TSi / TFSi part....I apologise,..I did not mean to cause any confusion, i thought it was a TFSi...   lol. Thanks for pointing that out  :thumbup:.

If any mods on the site wish to revise the post to avoid confusion, please feel free to do so.

 

Once again, Thank you to everyone who replied back. I will sort out nice pictures of the car once it is sorted, get it posted up 

[vRSrod]

Glad you have sorted this out. It will certainly give you that peace of mind knowing the tensioner has been replaced. My only observation is, at that milaige i would have thought the tensioner and related parts could have been replace by the previous owner. The original tensioner tends to give way as early as 30k miles and the majority of failed tensioner posted in here tends to be around 50-70k miles. My car also has that metalic rattles on start up as you describe specifically if i hadn't use it for a while. Ill be looking into replacing the tensioner in mine fairly soon.

[BLUETFSi]

Glad you have sorted this out. It will certainly give you that peace of mind knowing the tensioner has been replaced. My only observation is, at that milaige i would have thought the tensioner and related parts could have been replace by the previous owner. The original tensioner tends to give way as early as 30k miles and the majority of failed tensioner posted in here tends to be around 50-70k miles. My car also has that metalic rattles on start up as you describe specifically if i hadn't use it for a while. Ill be looking into replacing the tensioner in mine fairly soon.

Hi vRSrod, I have looked through my cars service history from Skoda Since it was New, There is no mention of any work done to the chain & tensioner, Most of it is just normal things like, oil, plugs, bulbs etc.

I know that i am perhaps worrying to much, but after reading about the cam chain tensioner failure on these engines, & seeing this video just last week...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGqF5xHx3tE

 

I just cannot afford to play "cam chain tensioner roulette"....

 & like you said, it gives me proper peace of mind knowing that it is done  :thumbup:

If you do have the rattle, just at least get it checked out, £600 spent to rectify, is better than £5000 for a replacement engine.

[TheClient]

Yes, you could count yourself as fortunate or even lucky in all of this

 

You have a nice car, the tensioner / drive chain was noisey drawing attention to itself.  The ordinary course of these things, had no one paid any attention, is then for it to fail catastrophically at some future point. So the £600 plus for a change out is insurance and piece of mind. I paid for it to be done on mine at purchase at 32k miles and it was not even noisey.  Call me paranoid but compared the to the cost of righting a munched engine, it is not worth it...

 

Mk2 EA888 defintely changed to TSI in Skoda marketing guff and even the engine cover but confusingly, mine is registered on the V5C as a TFSI and that description comes up on anything using number plate recognition so  it is easy to get confused.  Others on this forum have confirmed same for theirs too so we are not the only ones.  The important thing to remember, in this forum, TFSI is used to reference the previous generation vRS engine (belt driven, hard on cam followers) and TSI for the facelift vRS petrol engine (newer design, cam chain and tensioner issues, IHI turbo, roller cam follower....)

[BLUETFSi]

Yes, you could count yourself as fortunate or even lucky in all of this

 

You have a nice car, the tensioner / drive chain was noisey drawing attention to itself.  The ordinary course of these things, had no one paid any attention, is then for it to fail catastrophically at some future point. So the £600 plus for a change out is insurance and piece of mind. I paid for it to be done on mine at purchase at 32k miles and it was not even noisey.  Call me paranoid but compared the to the cost of righting a munched engine, it is not worth it...

 

Mk2 EA888 defintely changed to TSI in Skoda marketing guff and even the engine cover but confusingly, mine is registered on the V5C as a TFSI and that description comes up on anything using number plate recognition so  it is easy to get confused.  Others on this forum have confirmed same for theirs too so we are not the only ones.  The important thing to remember, in this forum, TFSI is used to reference the previous generation vRS engine (belt driven, hard on cam followers) and TSI for the facelift vRS petrol engine (newer design, cam chain and tensioner issues, IHI turbo, roller cam follower....)

Hi, Thanks for replying back, your advice is much apprieciated  :thumbup:  Funny you mention the TFSi thing, My car, like your's, shows as a TFSi on the V5c, Hence why i thought it was a TFSi. I would not call you paranoid eithier, as you said, the cost of repairing a lunched engine is just not worth it, hence why i crapped it when i read some of the horror stories, not just on Octavias, but Audis, Seats, Vw's with this engine. 

 

I sold my trusty 2001 Vw golf GTi , with the bomb proof AUM1.8T Engine, for the Skoda, Paid just £300 to have the timing belt, tensioner & water pump changed on the golf, it never gave me a single moments trouble that car, or some sleepless nights like the skoda did upon finding out about this issue....lol.

 

But, i digress, I will keep everyone posted once it is dropped off & fixed 

[Wet Kipper]

 

I have finally managed to get it booked into a well rated, knowledgeable, independent Audi/VW/Skoda Specialist in Edinburgh, 

 

I would be interested in knowing who/where this is, as am fed up with the servicing "service" from the local dealership