Hi 

 

I am looking to buy a 2011 plate 1.2tsi DSG Fabia, with regular dealership history then more recently a local garage. But after reading old posts here about the timing chain issues on the 1.2, I'm concerned I'm buying a problem.

 

However I like the car, so my question is, do all 1.2tsi have timing chain issues? And typically if it did need replacing, how much should I budget for this? I read somewhere that it is as high as £1200.

 

Cheers

Richard

Before buying mine , Fabia elegance Feb 2011. My friend an independent VAG garage owner recommended getting one has had 12 monthly oil changes. So the the 62k I bought had 5 oil services. He reckons  the oil change is done every 9k or 12 month which ever is soonest. Mine now at 78k and still no chain problems, it now develops 142 hp and still going strong.

Edited 10 June, 20188 yr by Kenrw8

The one I'm looking at has been serviced regularly according to stamps. 142hp is impressive and good to know it has done 78k without any problems. 

 

I looked at the Fabia for sale today and took a video of the engine running. Does this sound okay?

 

Video here.

 

Rich

It sounds okay however the sound you should be checking is the sound right after ignition, you will hear a metallic sound for a second.

 

I would opt against buying that - despite the fact that i like the performance of the engine, there is a big question mark for the future of the engine. There are many members who fitted the latest kit however i believe noone is completely sure if this solution is eternal:)

Thanks. The garage had already started the engine. Is the metallic sound good or bad?

 

And do you mean don't buy the car? Or the kit to boost bhp?

 

 

On 10/06/2018 at 11:21, richieeee said:

my question is, do all 1.2tsi have timing chain issues? 

 

My opinion is YES. The design is poor and there are quality issues with earlier chains and tensioners.

 

Prior to 2013 I would say they are all destined to fail at some point.

 

The chain stretches, as link pivots wear. This plus the oil pressure driven tensioner has a habit of untensioning when the engine has stood for a long time and oil drains down from the filter (which has a rubber drain down seal that distorts when overtightened and doesn't always seal perfectly). If the engine winds back a little after it stops or if you've left it in gear, the chain can push the tensioner back. On restart, a loose chain tries to climb over the sprockets, which also wears the sprockets (hence the noisy starts). Eventually the chain is so loose it can  jump or fall off, end of engine.

 

Regular oil and filter changes delay the process.

 

Price to change to the latest kit can vary from £400 to £800+ depending who/where/how you ask.

 

Kit costs around £100 and it takes around 3 or 4 hours iirc.

 

Rattling loudly for more than 2 or 3 seconds on start up from prolonged standing is the first sign to watch out for. It will be intermittent at first, becoming more and more common and prolonged.

 

If it does rattle loudly on start, switch off immediately and try restarting.

 

The loud rattle is very distinctive, sounds very terminal.

20 hours ago, richieeee said:

Thanks. The garage had already started the engine. Is the metallic sound good or bad?

 

And do you mean don't buy the car? Or the kit to boost bhp?

 

 

I would not suggest the engine due to the issue xman just explained above.

 

I just sold mt Octavia today, it took very hard 6 long months. Now strugglin about what i can buy...

What does the Kit contain and is it only available from Skoda? If anyone knows the part number for the kit too, please?

3 hours ago, RolandCB said:

What does the Kit contain and is it only available from Skoda? If anyone knows the part number for the kit too, please?

 

Kit contains revised design of chain, top and bottom sprockets, 2 chain guides and latest design of hydraulic tensioner.

 

Search this forum to get the latest part no.

 

Available as aftermarket kit also, but probably most will not be to the latest revised design and specification which is very important if you want a permanent fix.

Cheers thanks for the information, I will check this out as my car makes this noise for a fraction of a second when started from cold, best get it fixed properly.

A fraction of a second is probably not a problem. Its when the noise is prolonged and/or very loud on start e.g. in excess of 2 seconds.