Well, wasn't expecting this on an under 3 years old 40k VRS 230 PFL. Had a well cared fo life, serviced every 10k and driven with respect. Always warmed up at low revs at  lighter load, never flogged too much in fact very rarely . EPC light started illuminating after a cold start up while pulling away, not long after its 40k service. It will come on every time you give it some load while cold and you can feel the turbo is not spinning up. Once warmed up, its fine. Has put the MIL light on too and stop start fault and starting system failure. While the EPC light is on, it is in limp mode. You have to stop once the temp gauge is about at normal, re start and its fine until next cold start. 

 

Took it in to Skoda, they read the codes and they are all Turbo under boost and over boost faults. I have to take it back next week for full diagnostics as everything is pointing to a failing turbo.  Pretty crap really. First fault like this on any car Ive had in 30 years and probably best over a million miles and first Skoda ! See what happens, it is out of warranty in 3 months. 

You're in warranty now which is the important thing.

All reported within those first 3yrs. Annoying I'm sure, but shouldn't be about to cost you anything, thankfully.

Maybe the fact you have driven it so softly is partly to blame? Obviously let it warm up properly but then give it a bit more often? The fact you have raised the issue whilst still in warranty means the work should be covered regardless of how long it takes to get sorted. 

 

Hope its sorted quickly for you 

At least it’s been discovered under warranty 

Yes , as long as they don't try to dodge it, seems the way of the world these days. Going in this morning to be left. Fabia to run around in.

 

I don't drive it that slow! It gets good cycles, probably one or two full throttle to 6k ish through the gears most journeys and pop along a bit. I just don't constantly cane it for the fun of it. Has averaged around 36 mpg from new although that has dropped to about 30 since this problem started.

Edited 31 December, 20187 yr by teescom09

Turbo actuator or could be something as simple as a boost leak in the system somewhere? Maybe some issues with fuelling and the ECU is holding everything back?

 

I would be surprised if it was the turbo unit itself but you never know!

On 31/12/2018 at 19:03, Chris245 said:

Turbo actuator or could be something as simple as a boost leak in the system somewhere? Maybe some issues with fuelling and the ECU is holding everything back?

 

I would be surprised if it was the turbo unit itself but you never know!

Yes thats similar to my thoughts. Don't think theres any leaks etc though. I also don't think it can be a mechanical issue with the turbo itself, but yes possibly the waste gate, if it cycles it might be getting stuck. It gets over boost faults as well as underboost, so maybe sticking open and closed?  As soon as it has any warmth you can stop restart and it's fine, runs perfectly with full power, Possibly electronic, cap failing in an ecu somewhere maybe, always ok once warmed up, classical symptons.  Interesting how it occurred straight after the plug change? Have they dropped something in and maybe damaged the turbine or have they managed to not make a plug connection correctly. Both are doubtful giving the symptoms. It's very odd, it was warm the day I took it in and the fault cleared withing a minute. goes on for 5 - 10 mins on a frosty morning.

 

Another problem the car has developed and now that I think about it, it is when really cold too? The clutch pedal sticks down a little and you can leave it behind with your foot. I told them at the  service but got the standard Skoda service reply of No Fault Found, it wouldn't, it was warm! Is there a link, there is a switch on clutch pedal, was on my Audi B7 which caused the cruise control to fail. They replaced the differential first then after I suggested the switch, that what it was after nearly £4000 warranty work later ???

 

 

Diagnosis confirmed today by Skoda as a failed Turbo unit. 41K, serviced every 10k by Skoda. They don't have a full spare turbo kit available, gaskets and seals have had to be put on back order of 9-12 days which is not impressive. Also not good that it has failed at such a low mileage, well maintained  and driven with mechanical sympathy.  3 months time and it would have cost me about £3k !!! I know now I would never buy one these that doesn't have a good warranty or has been messed with. Apparently, according to a VW guy I was talking to, turbo's failures on these models is not uncommon. I still don't think its the turbine part of the turbo that has a problem, pretty sure its a waste gate issue. Makes no difference as its all part of the same item. 

 

They must look for cop outs as they called me to ask why the sound generator was unplugged, they detected it in the diagnostics !! 

Failed turbo....and they got that from just plugging the car in....Humm ok then!!

 

have the actually physically inspected the turbo for shaft play on turbine, oil leaks etc or just making an assumption?

 

I hope you have asked them to fully inspect and advise what exactly has failed. Like you I suspect wastegate or actuator.

 

I really do hate the fact that they just plug in and make assumptions now, total lack of intuition and mechanical nouse if you like and easy just to replace a part but not actually fault finding as to how or why.....but sometimes it does just make things easier.

45 minutes ago, Chris245 said:

Failed turbo....and they got that from just plugging the car in....Humm ok then!!

 

have the actually physically inspected the turbo for shaft play on turbine, oil leaks etc or just making an assumption?

 

I hope you have asked them to fully inspect and advise what exactly has failed. Like you I suspect wastegate or actuator.

 

I really do hate the fact that they just plug in and make assumptions now, total lack of intuition and mechanical nouse if you like and easy just to replace a part but not actually fault finding as to how or why.....but sometimes it does just make things easier.

I don't think they made the decision Chris. They had to report to Skoda HQ the findings and ask for authorsation (why does this site talk american!) . It took from yesterday about 11am until 3pm today to get the go ahead. Way of the car world now, very little in the way of physical inspection just electronic diagnostics. The waste gates are not just a simple pressure operated diaphragm anymore they are electronically controlled so another bit of fragile kit introduced in the most inhospitable part of the engine? 

As you say,  the wastegate has an electronic actuator and I believe it is not supplied separately so the whole turbo has to be replaced.

That is modern cars - plug in the diagnostics, get told which module is faulty, unbolt it and fit a new one.

It is probably just sticking, and the whole turbo (the turbine part of which is still ok) now has to be replaced, very wasteful.

Very lucky it’s under warranty.

The waste gate is opened and closed by an electrical turbo actuator which also has a position sensor built in. Probably it threw a p334b code, turbo actuator fault, which puts it in limp mode with EPC light.

 

This could be wiring, the turbo actuator itself which may or may not be replaceable depending on the particular engine and turbo fitted, but often its the waste gate sticking and the actuator can't close it or it gets damaged trying to close it.

 

I read on these forums of people changing actuators, or freeing the waste gate mech with wd40, but then post later the fault returned.

 

So for a foolproof fix best to replace complete turbo and actuator unit.

They’re going to be expensive cars to run if they need a turbo every 40k miles...

Electronic wastegate and actuators, what happened to good old fashioned mechanical ones?

Sure is!

 

Recently heard of an almost identical fault on a similar aged and mileage M4. BMW authorised “eventually” to replace one turbo but refused to do the other.  Aparrantly a bad batch of turbos. He had to take it to the top arguing his mods couldn’t have caused it to get that as  they identified coding and exhaust upgrades intitially refusing the engine warranty. 

4 minutes ago, Chris245 said:

Electronic wastegate and actuators, what happened to good old fashioned mechanical ones?

 

You mean solenoid controlled vacuum operated ones, much weaker forces than electric actuators.

 

The difference is you are probably thinking about old diesel engine turbos. Much lower operating temperatures than petrol.

Incredible what they can put up with really, including the oil and seals

Picked the car up tonight. New turbo fitted. Asked what was wrong with the old one and it was something like this. Faults were actuator rod (waste gate) in incorrect position, remedy, "replace turbo unit" new shiny one fitted!

 

Nice to have the old girl back, feels a bit less nimble than the Fabia Ive managed to put 500 miles on.