Hi everyone.

 

I bought a 1.2 Petrol Monte Carlo (2011) for my wife back in July, it was a good deal and at the time I knew I was going to have the timing chain done at the first service to avoid the known issues on these engines with the chains failing.

 

Service warning popped up this week and then on cue a day later an engine management flashed on as well ! 

 

My garage checked the codes and it was timing issues, so we changed the cam sensor and the crank case sensor just to be sure but still the codes persist. To them and me it seems like getting the chain done now is essential rather than precautionary.

 

However, that said I have read of other people having issues with Fabias and timing codes popping up and it's not the chain. The car did develop a symptom on Tuesday whereby it would stall when running to a stop at a light or a junction....reading up suggests this is a common issue to which nobody has a definitive answer. Some people solve this with the sensor changes but the codes are still coming back even with the new sensors in place on our car.

 

So, two-fold question really, does anyone have any suggestions on the codes and this stalling issue?

 

Is it still worth doing the chain as a precaution, as above I'm inclined to think yes, my only issue is cost. At the time of buying the car I had several people on the forums tell me to expect about £450 to £500 to have the chain done....my garage is now telling me £750!

 

Is £750 a reasonable figure here? I'm happy to go elsewhere but they are a good and reputable garage. If anyone knows of an independent in around the Kettering/Corby area that you might recommend to get a quote it would be appreciated (I'd consider further afield as well but local would be better). Is main dealer an option?

 

Finally, genuine VAG parts for this job or are aftermarket parts okay?

 

Cheers

 

 

 

IMO the Genuine VW Group latest kit / parts at a Approved Repairer to get the 2 year parts and labour guarantee. 

 

It is imperative to use the latest OE timing kit, use a Skoda dealer to get 2 yr unlimited mileage warranty automatically and a tech who has done this job several times and knows what he is doing. The cooling system is drained, exhaust detached, pulleys, timing covers and the sump removed so its a big job. New coolant, new oil/filter and sump and timing cover refitted/resealed with liquid gasket after cleaning said parts of old gasket. Plus diagnostic adaption of the timing.

 

All parts in the kit need changing as the design is revised and different from the original, that is, top and bottom sprockets, 2 nylon chain guides, the chain itself and a new revised hydraulic tensioner 

 

They did mine for under £400, but as I had been complaining for three years while still in warranty, it may have involved goodwill. They made up for it by failing its MOT at the same time and charging almost £200 for a supposed rough wheel bearing, a scam I have fallen for before from them.

 

The timing repair kit part no that they fitted to my engine was:

 

03F198158B - very important that the B variant is used and not earlier A or no suffix variants. 

Edited 8 February, 20197 yr by xman

45 minutes ago, rawcas said:

 

Service warning popped up this week and then on cue a day later an engine management flashed on as well ! 

 

My garage checked the codes and it was timing issues, so we changed the cam sensor and the crank case sensor just to be sure but still the codes persist. To them and me it seems like getting the chain done now is essential rather than precautionary.

 

However, that said I have read of other people having issues with Fabias and timing codes popping up and it's not the chain. The car did develop a symptom on Tuesday whereby it would stall when running to a stop at a light or a junction....reading up suggests this is a common issue to which nobody has a definitive answer. Some people solve this with the sensor changes but the codes are still coming back even with the new sensors in place on our car.

 

So, two-fold question really, does anyone have any suggestions on the codes and this stalling issue?

 

 

So what codes? We are not mind readers....

 

If its timing related, and the chain has never been changed, its probably the chain stretched. Does it sometimes make loud noisy rattles on start up (aka death rattle)?

21 minutes ago, xman said:

 

So what codes? We are not mind readers....

 

If its timing related, and the chain has never been changed, its probably the chain stretched. Does it sometimes make loud noisy rattles on start up (aka death rattle)?

 

Appreciate nobody is a 'mind reader' I was posting having just left work  and had no pen to write the codes down. I can get the codes but just thought I would post up the basics to get initial ideas. 

 

To answer your question it does have a rattle on start up, but to be fair not loud and noisy, it's more a consistent momentary rattle and from watching videos and checking posts on here it's certainly not like some of the rattles I've seen/heard associated with failure.... But that's not suggesting it could be a precursor.

 

I think it's best just to have the chain done regardless and it seems main dealer is the way forward,  I'll pop a call in to my local dealership tomorrow. 

 

Thanks everyone. 

17 hours ago, xman said:

 

 

They did mine for under £400, but as I had been complaining for three years while still in warranty, it may have involved goodwill. They made up for it by failing its MOT at the same time and charging almost £200 for a supposed rough wheel bearing, a scam I have fallen for before from them.

 

 

 

 

Hi xman,

 

Can I ask where you got yours done, I've been calling around this morning and cant get a price anything under £700, so even with a discount, for them to do your replacement for under £400 is amazing. I'd just like to speak to the dealer that did yours even if its miles away just to get a comparison.

Sorry, I value my privacy too much to reveal my dealer or whereabouts.

 

This was a few years ago now, As I said, it probably involved 50% goodwill, the car was barely out of warranty (a couple of months) and had been logged a number of times with the fault of rattling chain for the previous two years during warranty, it was a long depressing battle to have it acknowledged. I have a very long history with the dealer going back decades and run several skodas so that has also has a bearing. Its not a cosy relationship I might add, but they know me well enough not to try it on, for if they do I will simply go elsewhere.

 

1 hour ago, xman said:

Sorry, I value my privacy too much to reveal my dealer or whereabouts. 

 

This was a few years ago now, As I said, it probably involved 50% goodwill, the car was barely out of warranty (a couple of months) and had been logged a number of times with the fault of rattling chain for the previous two years during warranty, it was a long depressing battle to have it acknowledged. I have a very long history with the dealer going back decades and run several skodas so that has also has a bearing. Its not a cosy relationship I might add, but they know me well enough not to try it on, for if they do I will simply go elsewhere.

 

 

What has your privacy got to do with telling a fellow motorist which dealer you used ?

Stupid statement. Such internet naivety.

Edited 9 February, 20197 yr by xman

lol............it does not matter which dealer you used,  you yourself could live 50 miles from it.......who knows......more to the point who cares......if you can give me some magical reason how this affects your privacy.....I'm all ears..

 

 

 

 

Edited 9 February, 20197 yr by UrbanPanzer

Go troll someone else

I was simply trying to help the op.................nothing else.

 

Back to the topic..................

 

This is the kit :-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Timing-Chain-Set-VW-Skoda-Audi-Seat-1-2-TSI-TFSI-Cbza-Cbzb-03F198158B/283338581608?hash=item41f84ba668:g:vSUAAOSwveFcO0ui

 

Where does over £600 come from.......................have they got a balaclava on at reception ?

Edited 9 February, 20197 yr by UrbanPanzer

On 09/02/2019 at 15:20, UrbanPanzer said:

I was simply trying to help the op.................nothing else.

 

Back to the topic..................

 

This is the kit :-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Timing-Chain-Set-VW-Skoda-Audi-Seat-1-2-TSI-TFSI-Cbza-Cbzb-03F198158B/283338581608?hash=item41f84ba668:g:vSUAAOSwveFcO0ui

 

Where does over £600 come from.......................have they got a balaclava on at reception ?

 

Ha ha....they may as well have a balaclava on

I've checked 5 dealers now, three in my area and two father afield, plus my usual garage and another independent, they are all between £650 and £800 using the official parts! I think I'm going to have to go with it, all have said 5 to 5.5. hours labour plus the parts which are costly as well.

 

As Xman mentioned it is a pretty involved job which has been confirmed by all (sump off etc., etc.).

There is also no point in my supplying parts separately, the cost difference is negligible once you add in the all the coolant and oil and Xman was also correct that Skoda will give me two years parts and labour warranty which my independents cant.

Cheers for the response though

Edited 11 February, 20197 yr by rawcas

Have you tried MJP in Eskdaill St Kettering? Very reliable, used them for years for various things. Long term VAG independent. There's also DG Motors in Victoria St Wellingborough, haven't used them for a few years because I don't work in Welly anymore, but they were brilliant. Again long term VAG independents. 

Progress Suzuki in Garrard Way, Kettering are official Skoda workshop and are generally reliable.

Edited 11 February, 20197 yr by peter3197
Extra info

Hi Thanks for the suggestions. I tried Progress in Garrard way, however, they are mostly service for Skoda's so suggested going to the Northampton and Bedford branches was a better bet.

 

I will call MJP, hadn't thought about them TBH but worth a try, although the warranty with Skoda is still quite appealing

Go for Skoda and full warranty. A complex job like this requires all the right tools and workshop skills. There is plenty of scope for a **** up that could trash your engine, independents will not have full up to date knowledge and many take short cuts and will walk away from consequential damage.

 

In reply to Urbanpanzer querying the "extra £600"

 

Firstly Skoda dealers don't buy their parts from ebay

 

There are other parts required for this job, exhaust gaskets, nuts and bolts. Very expensive OE liquid gasket. Oil and filter change. New coolant. Diagnostic access.

 

And of course most importantly a full 2 year unlimited mileage parts and labour warranty.

 

And 5.5 hours labour @ £60-90 per hour, I suspect the job often takes longer than book time.

 

In most cases this job will take 2 days, due to cleaning the covers/ sump - block interface, liquid gasket setting requirements etc,  many dealers will usually give you a free courtesy car.

 

£700 is a small price for peace of mind, bear in mind a cambelt change is £400 and you also get a free oil/filter service and coolant change (at dealers however, I wouldn't trust some cheap independents to do this and some may be tempted to pour the old oil/coolant back in and keep the old filter)

 

Once the latest kit is fitted, you can finally stop worrying as the new design is much more robust than the original, (but still change the oil every 10k/1 year, all camchains require this for longevity)

Edited 12 February, 20197 yr by xman

Thanks again. Car is currently at the dealers with work starting tomorrow.  I've got a courtesy car and peace of mind, as you suggest, with the parts and labour warranty.  The car actually came with a full Soda history so I get to keep that going as well.

 

In the end it was £750 all in, which includes VAT and the service (opted to do the plugs as well), I actually had a cheaper price from another dealer but the difference was only £75, it was further away and they couldn't fit it in for another week.

 

There is some work for an official recall being done at the same time (a loom issue I think they said), and they are also sorting some bits if they have time (removal of a towbar which I have no current use for).

 

All told I'm happy, £750 isn't cheap but it's worth it to keep a good car from potentially biting the dust :-)