Hello there i am a lurker on this site for like 1-2 months.I have read so much about the Tsi timing chain rattling noise and i am still confused.
 In short I am about to buy my 1st car and it is a used skoda fabia mk2 (2011build).The car has only 15 k km but my mechanic spotted a rattling noise at the chain. The official dealership  supposed to replace the chain but after sending  them the money they called me on the phone and they told me that the rattling noise was normal because of the immobility of the car( according to their mechanics). Instead they offered me either 1 year warranty at all mechanic parts or to send the money back. What do you guys think. Please any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Welcome.

 

You had best do some searches on the Timing Chain and Tensioners because there are upgraded ones by 2012 because of the faulty ones before.

The rattling noise can be normal if there is a fault, maybe all the engine oil drained and a Chain Tensioner issue.

An Approved Repairer will have the TPI, know what parts to fit.

 

Maybe best not buy that one if they are not telling you the whole story.

Is it the updated parts fitted?

 

?

Which country are you in?

 

PS

VW Group OEM parts come with a 2 year Warranty anyway.  If they are sure of things it will cost them little to give a 2 Year Part And Labour Warranty on the Engine / Drivetrain.

Edited 11 September, 20187 yr by Offski

Hi there Offski I was hoping for your reply:) . I 've read  that the 2012 builds and later are reliable that's why i am so anxious about this particular car. I am from Greece and the official dealership  to be honest  seems so far to me a bit unprofessional. By guessing, I would say that the updated parts are not fitted since the story is that the car was siting in a garage for a long long time.Also all the services are mostly for oil changes
 Do you think that the story of the skoda dealership that the rattling sound was due to inactivity is legit?Do you think that i have to insist in replacement despite them saying that their was not an actual problem?

 Thanks
 As you may have noticed I know nothing about cars:)

Edited 11 September, 20187 yr by xellos

I really know nothing about them other than gleaned from here and others experiences, never had one.

 

I think you should avoid that car and really try to find a slightly newer one.

The risk does come from so little use and maybe plenty oil and filter changes and Oil Drained and a timing chain issue.

 

Those that know their stuff will be along hopefully, those with experience of the 1.2 TSI's.

 

All the best.

Hmm I asked them about the Tpi but they haven't respond. If their answer is that that the engine is a faulty one, do you believe that i should still buy it considering that they give me 1 year warranty?

 Ok guys please can you help me out a bit. I am trying to check if the engine code is one of the affected ones but  all i can get is the code CBZA MFX  . There are no numbers on the side. The  vehicle number is  5J C3054116
 The guy from the dealership told me that this car is not affected but I have some reasons to not trust him 
 Is there a way to check this by myself?
 Thanks in advance

Mfx is the gearbox code.

 

You need an engine number not a chassis number.

 

 

Id be wary that a car has only done 15k km (10,000 miles) in 7 years. Is there a way to check mileage history independently, in the UK we have annual MOT history available.

 

I assume its been clocked, contact all the previous owners and see what they say.

 

Those engines should not and do not rattle at only 15k km (10,000 miles) at start up or otherwise. 

 

I'd say trust your mechanic friend and go and find something else.

 

 

Edited 13 September, 20187 yr by xman

About the mileage i am pretty sure that it is legit ( there was 1 owner ).There are is a service book and the equivalent Mot test (we call it Kteo) confirms that.My mechanic also confirmed that, He actually told me that the car is in perfect condition except the rattling noise he heard. In the official dealership they told me that this was a major mistake from their part cause the rattling noise shouldn't exist if they had proper oil the car etc . Exactly they told me that the rattling noise was caused by the immobility of the car . So instead of changing the chain they offered me 1 year warranty at all mechanical parts

 

So basically do u believe the dealership's story about the chain?I really like this car and it seems to be a good deal imo . I only want to make sure somehow that i won't regret it after a while because from i what i have read if there is indeed a fault in the chain it is not worth buying at all

 Ok thanks by the way for the reply i just saw the picture. Tomorrow I will be there, so i will ask them to give me the engine number or check it in front of me

Edited 13 September, 20187 yr by xellos

Ok quick update . I went to check the car today as they informed me that they fixed it 10 days ago. I turned the key and booom a non stop rattling noise .

 The service manager told me that the problem couldn't be from the chain - because the chain rattle lasts only 3-4 seconds-  he also told me that he will have it checked again ..

 At least I have a video 

 

 

 

So should I stay or should I go now?

 

 

 

Edited 15 September, 20187 yr by xellos

To be honest the video is very difficult to judge as 1.2tsi engines are fairly noisy under the bonnet, with the high pressure pump and injectors which is what that video sounds like. The audio on your phone is set to loud (auto gain) and you did not move about the engine bay to identify the sources of the noises or move away to put it in context.

 

Chain rattle is a distinct loud painful noise easily heard in the cabin and in initial stages, usually only for 3 or 4 seconds after start. Was it a lot quieter when restarted? Is it quiet in the cabin?

 

The 1.2 tsi can also be noisier on first cold start because idle speed is initially higher and injection is different for around 2 minutes to heat up the catalytic convertor before the idle speed drops and resumes normal injection.

 

If you have doubts just walk away and find something else. 

 

Btw I notice the engine has the old style unprotected ignition leads, no.3 lead prone to fail due to heat from the exhaust manifold, sometimes taking the ignition coil with it, later leads are protected in corrugated plastic trunking (what VAG call marten protection)

 

Also check the steering by turning slowly lock to lock at standstill and low speed. Check it is smooth with no stickiness or sticking/unsticking noises. A common known fault are faulty steering rods which have substandard inner ball joint grease. Usually changed under warranty no questions asked.

 

The engine does look very new, clean and tidy! Nice.

 

Is the garage warranty trustworthy? Would it cover all parts and labour? Would it cover if engine was damaged by chain related failure?

 

 

Edited 15 September, 20187 yr by xman

 Thanks for the reply mate I really appreciate it 

 Unfortunately i won't be able to inspect the car property since I live in an island . The car is located on Athens.

I may visit again when they ensure me that everything is ok .

 As far as the noise is concerned it was constant and the same at all start ups ( 3-4) . I think that inside the cabin wasn't that bad.

 To be honest my plan now is to ask them to have it fully fixed ( I get 2 years guarantee per part) and try to settle in a price that works both ways.  

 If I have the chain repair kit installed do you think that the car will be trouble free regarding to the chain failure?meeh does it worth?

 Finding a car with such a low mileage in Greece is almost impossible unless it is clocked. All the cars until 1200 cc hold their value because of the taxation system. Plus I really like this car pff

Edited 15 September, 20187 yr by xellos

Hi there. I just got an email from the dealership. They informed me :
 a)  that their is no issue related to the timing chain
 b.) the sound from the engine is caused by the high pressure pump and is considered absolutely normal ( they told me that it was kinda loud  because the car was siting  in the garage for 7 days )

 The warranty covers all the mechanical parts for 1 year ( not electrical) and up to cost of 2k ( and maximum mileage 10k km )

 

So you guys have any thoughts? Or let's wish bon voyage?

Edited 18 September, 20187 yr by xellos

They want to sell it, you want to buy it, so you might as well.

 

Thing is people go on holiday, leave their car, come back 2 or 3 weeks later and if the battery is good start the car and not all make a racket.

 

Some get a car serviced, the tech / fitter / mechanic leaves the oil draining a long time, then does the filter, plug and oil and starts the car and there you go noisy, and an oil tensioner fault.

Vorsprung Durch Technik.