Problems with my VRS

[Lanzachris]

I  have a 2011 Octavia VRS petrol. Over the last 10 months its been to a Skoda dealership several times a VAG specialist several times and now our local garage which we have used for 20 years.

The problem is the engine management light came on in March last year, 3 months after the Skoda warranty expired. It originally came up with the code P0172. The engine ran slightly rough occasionally, and on some occasions it was difficult to start, hunting on start up for the first couple of minutes. I took it to Skoda who told me it was a blocked fuel breather pipe. they changed this at a cost of £175. Two days later the light came back on. Took it back and they said its the fuel filter. This was again changed at a cost of £85. The next day the light came back on again so back I went to Skoda. this time they said it was a software issue on the ECU, bear in mind it had a new ECU fitted under warranty just 13 months earlier. They said they had solved the issue and due to the previous issues there would be no cost. Two days later the light was back on this time they diagnosed the lambda sensors, the cost to replace these would be almost £600. These were replaced and still the same issue. Back it went again. This time it was diagnosed as inlet manifold, costing over £1,400 again this was replaced under warranty at the same time as the ECU. At this point I lost all faith in Skoda, seemed that they had no idea but just kept charging the earth for the sake of it.

 

I took it to the VAG specialist who replaced the inlet manifold for over £500 less than Skoda were wanting to charge, but the problem continued - new coil pack on cylinder 1, New throttle body and a full check on fuel pressure and regulator. The problem continues....... Took it to our local garage yesterday as it was suggested that the cause could be the temp sensor, and at a cost of £20 I though why not. seemed to run ok for the remainder of the day, problem solved I thought........ This morning started running a little rough again hunting on start up for about 30 seconds. Took it for a run down the motorway for about 15 miles and as I pulled off the engine stalled and it was running rough as though it was on 2 or 3 cylinders. I have an OBD tester in the car and checked the code and the code has now changed from P0172 to P0171, the engine management light is permanently illuminated but flashes occasionally, what could the cause be and why would it go from running too rich to running too lean in the space of 15 miles???? Any guidance greatly appreciated - Thanks

[maul]

first code is P0172

that is fuel trim bank1 system is too rich

second code P0171

that is fuel trim bank1 system is too lean.

how you fix it i dont know  but thats what the codes mean.

hopefully a techy benevolent soul will advise you further.

good luck