My wife wants to buy a 2010 Octavia 1.4 TSI DSG, just 70000 km, one owner, looks like new.

 

I know there has been some issues with the cam chain in the 1.4, was this solved before 2010?

There has also been som complaining about this 7 speed DSG, should we be worried?

 

What else is there to look for?

all i can say . i'll never go back to skoda , i'll fix what every then i'll sold .

Yes, post #2 not very helpful. Joins forum for some help on a mechanical fault, but obviously disgruntled. However,  the spec of his car is not similar engine wise or transmission wise to this post.

 

Mike clearly knows his stuff so take that on board.

 

As far as your specific question on transmission goes in opening post, and I'm not trying to tread on any toes here, it would seem, in my opinion, the 7sp DSG is not as reliable as the 6Ssp wet clutch unit.

 

The 7 sp DSG was also the subject of a service action campaign to change out the oil, (synthetic to mineral or vice versa) even though it is supposed to be sealed for life unit. AFAIR it was due to the possibility of the oil affecting componentary or wiring or both.  Before purchase, it would be good at least to confirm the service action was carried out [Edit: if required, for affected but not all units] and be aware you can have issues, as you could with the 6sp DSG, or a manual. However, it may be more likely with that unit.  Have a search through these forums...

 

I don't think the 1.4 unit is as susceptible to camchain / timing issues and valve damage as the previous generation units.

Edited 7 December, 20169 yr by TheClient

You were misinformed then.  

VW, Skoda, Seat & Audi UK had no 'Recall', Just a Service Campaign.

If your model did not need the Synthetic oil Changed to Mineral & the Software Update that does not mean another identical car registered at the same time does not need it doing, or as the preventitive measure that it is, could benefit from it.

 

There was a World Wide Recall that excluded the UK / Europe.

Then a Service Campaign called by VW in 2013 & Skoda UK in 2014.

Not all are needing the Synthetic Oil changed to Mineral & a Software Update, 

but then the Factory were still showing DSG that needed it doing in 2014 models when they knew a World Wide Recall started in 2012.

New Zealand had a proper Service Campaign, the MCU's were replaced, but then only a few hundred cars.

http://skoda.co.nz/news/dsg-service-campaign

 

Now they call them Recall Actions, yet still all Registered keepers are not informed, and there are vehicles that have not had the Service Campaign 'Field Actions', as they werte called carried out, even Skoda Approved Used Cars.

http://master.skoda-auto.com/mini-apps/recall-actions

Edited 7 December, 20169 yr by Offski

That is your car though by the build date and the Fluids used in production, that does not exclude other identical DQ200 DSG.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/314923-fabia-recall

 

I have cars of the same age and build year that did have Synthetic and were eligible and that were not because supposedly Mineral oil went in at the factory.

DQ200 for up to 110kw & ones to 132kw were in the Recalls & Service Campaigns.

None had Service Schedules / Guidelines when first built and sold. *Sealed for LIfe.* as owners were told.

Edited 7 December, 20169 yr by Offski

I've edited my post #4 to indicate advice to check if service action carried out or if required, for affected (but not all) 7Sp DSG units.  

LOL,  that is the Point, 

The World Wide Recall & NZ Service Campaign says 2009-2011, and there are 2010 DQ200 DSG that do not need the oil changed, 

and 2011, 0r 2012, 2013, and then there were cars getting done that were built in 2013.

 

So it will likely be Location, Location, Location as to which VW factory marries the Engine to the DSG.

Maybe Germany, Maybe Czech Republic.  

Ask the VW Group when, where and who, you will not get an answer though.

This car is for sale from a VW / Audi dealer. The salesman said that he had "never heard of" problems with this engine og gearbox - shock!

The only thing that is reported on the car besides 3 normal services, is a "update on the gearbox control unit". If that is just software or other I dont know.

 

The cam chain problem is reported by several on different internet forum, also on the 122 hp version.

This car is for sale from a VW / Audi dealer. The salesman said that he had "never heard of" problems with this engine og gearbox - shock!

The only thing that is reported on the car besides 3 normal services, is a "update on the gearbox control unit". If that is just software or other I dont know.

 

The cam chain problem is reported by several on different internet forum, also on the 122 hp version.

I had the same car a few years ago. There was a campaign for replacing the oil in the gearbox control unit from synthetic to mineral oil. Nothing was done to the gearbox itself. At the same time the software was modified, I'm not sure what exactly what, but the gear changes felt smoother afterwards.

A small issue I encoutered was a small engine juddering in light uphill driving, mostly during engine warm up period. Dealer did not find anything wrong, slightly irritating but not critical.

I don't know anything about cam chain, it wasn't an issue on my car.