I was wondering if anyone can give me some advice.l have a 2011 plate VRS TSI with a full Skoda service history.The car has done 100 thousand miles.I had a clatter noise on start up that lasted a couple of seconds on cold startups.l looked into this and found via internet sites that it could be the tensioner failing.l informed Skoda UK who suggested that I take it to the dealer for diagnostic tests.I videoed the noise and showed it the dealer and left with them for a week.When l dropped it off l showed the tech the video who agreed it could be a camchain tensioner issue.After a week l received a call saying they could not detect anything on the diagnostic and charged me 52 pounds.l mentioned about the clatter/rattle on the video to which they replied that they were not concerned by it and if it progresses to re book the car in .They also stated to fully check they would have to remove the engine which they did not think was nessarcery.On that advice which l have in writing l drove home.The noise did not progress but the tensioner failed last week and the car now needs a new engine.Skoda UK are currently looking into the matter but l was wondering on advice on where to go from here because if the garage had recommended me to change the tensioner when l took it in l would have got it changed.l have been completely wrongly advised by Skoda.Any help would be much appreciated.

Sorry forgot to mention the dealer it is Blades Skoda Gloucester.

I can't help you much apart from being extremely frustrated by the "advice" given by the main dealer and now you are stuck needing a new engine. No wonder main dealers have a crap reputation.

 

The tensioner on my car (10-plate 2.0 TSI vRS) also failed. However, I escaped with "just" eight bent inlet valves and a sizeable but not astronomical bill. Who has advised you on needing a whole new engine? Complete CCZA/CCZB lumps seemed to be hard to come by when I was looking at my options earlier on in the year, plus you'd want all the updated chains, tensioner and guides fitted before having the engine installed. Do you have a reputable independent VAG specialist near you to do the repair?

The car was towed to the dealer they are saying it needs a new engine.I am awaiting a call from Skoda UK tommorow.

The chain and tensioner failures (not to mention oil consumption issues) are really putting me off the mk2's :(

I hope you get a good outcome with Skoda UK. If it was me, I'd be getting the car as far away from that dealer as possible.

Can´t believe they are authorised dealer and service. So, you have invoice for testing and diagnose of that tensioner, you have other evidence you informed the dealer about abnormal noise and clatter and week or two after that the tensioner fails ...

This just confirms that old style tensioners cannot be tested just by force, but it must be disassembled to check the safety holding system like ratchet style.

I guess you are in very good position to get new engine fitted for free from Skoda, if they play nasty game with you, any solicitor will play with them their game and I am sure he will winn it for you.

 

Just as info, look at this, those are internal VAG Technical Product Information, can be handy VAG is well aware of this issue ...

 

To check or even replace the tensioner, chain etc. on 1.8 or 2.0TSI EA888 family is not needed to take the engine out from the car, either transverse or longitudinal engine, they do not know what they are telling ...

 

Edited 22 August, 20187 yr by rayx

Thankyou very much.

Crazy advice from the dealer. You would argue incorrect diagnosis and advice that you paid for and as consequence you have suffered a terminal engine failure.  If Skoda uk decide to help all well and good but in terms of contractual remedies your action and recourse lies most clearly with the dealer.  

 

If Skoda uk fobs you off, which is very common on tensioner failures. I would start direct discussions and written correspondence with the dealer. The fact you have paid for diagnosis and have something in writing is supportive to your case.

Edited 23 August, 20187 yr by TheClient

Ps. They are also wrong on needing to remove engine. They can remove the upper and lower timing covers and remove engine mount for access. It's not a small job but changing the tensioner and chain probably about 5 hours. To check it only a little less but if doing that, you would replace anyway....

I am awaiting a call from SKODA UK technical as it has been escalated.I will let you know on the outcome once received.Thanks for all the info and advice.l cannot believe they just didn't reccomend getting it changed when l took it in.I would have had the work done and wouldn't be in this mess now.

I agree that you should be recompensed. The tensioner can be physically viewed through a port hole on the cam cover and VCDS can diagnose chain stretch. I would fight this.

What l can't believe is the dealer had the car a week as well.l just don't think they took my issue seriously.lts serious now though Skoda not so simply clever.

I have the 2011 Octavia vrs 2.0 tfsi currently on 92,000 miles, its fully serviced but I'm absolutely dreading everytime I drive it now incase of the timing failure. Why is skoda fobbing everyone off. Is this not a recall situation? 

7 hours ago, Matt1284 said:

I have the 2011 Octavia vrs 2.0 tfsi currently on 92,000 miles, its fully serviced but I'm absolutely dreading everytime I drive it now incase of the timing failure. Why is skoda fobbing everyone off. Is this not a recall situation? 

Get it changed trust me it will go. Mine was a 2011 model and went at 100000. You sometimes get a small rattle on start up. I told Skoda about mine they said they would not be concerned. One month later engine would not start cam chain faliure. Just a poultry 10 percent goodwill offered despite me sending stacks of reports of this being a known problem and telling them about the rattle previously. Get it done now or you will be looking at a bill for £4800 like me.

Thanks for your reply streetfighter73.

If I get the cam chain replaced, won't the timing issue wreck that chain too.

If my car wasn't on finance I'd really be siding with getting rid of. Really disappointed, it's such a sexy car with great power and now I'm scared to drive it .

13 minutes ago, Matt1284 said:

Thanks for your reply streetfighter73.

If I get the cam chain replaced, won't the timing issue wreck that chain too.

If my car wasn't on finance I'd really be siding with getting rid of. Really disappointed, it's such a sexy car with great power and now I'm scared to drive it .

The problem is the older design timing chain "tensioner" failing. My previous car was a 2011 Octavia VRS TSI. As a preventative measure, I had the latest timing chain tensioner fitted and at the same time new timing chains. That was at around 50k miles and when I replaced  the car recently at 104k miles with as you can see another VRS, it was still running perfect with no rattle on start up. It did have a very slight rattle on start up before I had it done. The cost at my local independant garage was £630, money well spent for piece of mind. Get it done mate and then relax. 

Thank you roaddetective 

I love my car and the engine sounds great and goes like a rocket.

I may well have to do what you did to ease the worry

Once you get the latest tensioner and chain you should be all good as l have not seen any reports of them failing.

Just now, streetfighter73 said:

Once you get the latest tensioner and chain you should be all good as l have not seen any reports of them failing.

I'm having issues with juddering on startup,possibly ignition coils.having checked tomorrow hopefully as it's getting worse.then this will be my next task to get sorted. Thank you for the advice mate

On 22/04/2019 at 19:37, streetfighter73 said:

Once you get the latest tensioner and chain you should be all good as l have not seen any reports of them failing.

I have it booked in for timing chain,tensioners and water pump change totalling £786, and I've changed the ignition coils at further cost of nearly £200 as I have a juddering and misfire, unfortunately it's still juddering and misfiring. Hopefully when the chain is done all will be ok (fingers crossed)