Hi,

 

I have a 2011 SKODA SUPERB ELEGANCE TFSI S-A 1984 Cc Turbo Injection with 85K miles. A couple of weeks back, it developed a serious engine issue. The fault codes are shown below:

 

System Type: ENGINE SYSTEM TEST/VALUES
Name: CCZA - TFSI - 2.0L - 147 (200)
DTC: P0016,Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation - Bank 1 Sensor A
DTC: P0506,Idle Control System RPM Lower Than Expected
DTC: P0303,Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected

 

The car has been examined by a Skoda Specialist in Dorset (not a main dealer) and I have been advised that the Cylinder Head needs replacement. I have been quoted £3,100 (incl parts labour and VAT) for a new cylinder head being fitted. Alternatively the same garage has quoted around £4,500 for a complete reconditioned engine supplied and fitted. 

 

I would be keen to hear from forum users on whether the quoted prices seem in the right ballpark. Note, the Head replacement is a new part - I was told by the garage that they were unable to source a rebuilt Head fitted with all the necessary parts for a straight swap with the current Head.

 

It's too good a car to let go to scrap, but I've been furloughed for 4 months so really need to watch every penny!

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

 

  

This is probably not what you’d want to hear but for context I’m trading in my 2010 diesel 2L (mk2 superb CR140SE well specced) on Monday with 87k miles for £2750 (autotrader valued it between 2600 trade and 3600 private) so is it really economical to consider spending that kind of amount on a 2011 car with similar mileage?

i got hit with the clutch/gearbox failure at 56k miles a few years back that cost me £2000 and I seriously considered dumping the car at that point but couldn’t as I still had a loan outstanding at that point and the mileage was still reasonable but if it had happened now I don’t know if I could’ve justified that cost let alone the costs you are looking at.

Just playing devils advocate here....

What is wrong with the head, have you had a cam chain failure  which has done some damage?

 

The 1.8 and 2.0 is also know for piston issues with high oil consumption. so a recon engine probably the better bet and presumably comes with a guarantee of some sort. However at £4,500 is it worth it financially ?

 

Any second hand engines available? 

 

Edited 12 September, 20205 yr by bigjohn

If the fault is a physical one with the cylinder head then that would not be such a difficult problem to fix yourself if you have a little mechanical aptitude and some ordinary garage tools. A company like one of these:

 

https://www.knightengineservices.co.uk/          (I can recommend this company if you live close to Northants).

 

https://cylinderheads.co.uk/skoda-cylinder-heads/

 

... would be able to supply a head (may well need an exchange where you would get your deposit back after returning the old head, or they may well re-manufacture your own head). The cost might well be only hundreds rather than thousands and would make the car economically viable to save. I bought a reconditioned head for one of my cars (an older Volvo with an OHC red block motor) for £99 and had it in the car in a day plus the time it took to get the correct valve shims (your car would have more bits to remove to get access).

 

It is up to you as to whether you would feel competent enough to swap a cylinder head. If you are, then this is something that could be done in a garage, car port or drive in a day. A lot of that time would be taking stuff off to get access, I'm not sure whether your engine is a belt or chain cam drive (belt is much easier) but either way the job is nothing to be scared of. Generally it is easiest to swap the camshaft on the bench where access is a bit easier.

 

So, you could probably fix this yourself for about £500, in which case it would be worth doing if the rest of the car is okay, if you can't then spending £3000-£4500 on a car worth about that much would make no sense. That is a sad indictment on our high cost-high wage society which often manifests itself in throwing stuff away.

 

Good fortune,

 

Alan

Edited 12 September, 20205 yr by Othen
Spelling.

Thank you for all of your suggestions and feedback. I visited the garage on Friday to look at the engine and discuss options. I've decided to go ahead and get the head replaced. The actual part is around £1100 new from Skoda. The garage searched for a reconditioned head but was unable to source one fitted with all the necessary parts. The additional work in the bill includes replacing the timing chain and putting on a new tensioner as apparently the original plastic part is a known issue. I've also agreed to let them replace the water pump as it is easily accessible with the engine dismantled.

 

I did search to see what cars I could get for £3500 - nothing came close to the current spec of my Superb, so I'm comfortable, but not happy of course, to pay out. I'll shove the cost onto a credit card and worry about it next year. 

 

Thanks again!

Richard