Hi,

 

I am looking for some advice?  I have been a loyal Skoda customer for a number of years currently on my 4th car from the brand.

 

I have a Superb estate SEL Exec 4x4 190ps TDI which is a great car.  It has had full Skoda dealer servicing except the timing belt which was done at a local VW specialist as the water pump failed (known design fault with the pump, but it was due anyway).

 

It is just over 5 years old and 57k mileage.

 

a couple of weeks ago the engine died and I had to be recovered.  The garage have looked at it and say a rocker has broken damaging a valve in the engine.  This means a new engine, which I’m shocked at given the usual reliability of the 2.0l Diesel engines.  Unlucky I guess!

 

I have no warranty left having run out a couple of months ago.  Garage are quoting me £12500 to replace it.  
 

given it’s age, mileage and full Skoda history I’d like have thought I might get a little help or goodwill from Skoda but no.

 

I understand I maybe stuck here and I could try and push Skoda for something (I’m not expecting them to pay it all, but that is a lot of money).

 

can anyone give any advice if I have any avenues on this or just need to suck it up?

 

thanks

£12500 is a LOT for an engine swap. I would guess a brand new engine at that price?

 

Personally id be getting a second opinion on the engine failure. Then if it really does need replacing, id get a second hand engine and would only expect to pay up to £1000 to fit it.

^^^

What he said!

£12500 does seem awfully expensive. Perhaps seek out another opinion from a different garage (maybe an independent if they have a good reputation). Someone else may say it’s a repairable issue rather than a replacement engine. Other than that, a second hand engine may be your only option. Is it a main dealer that is quoting you the £12.5k or your VW specialist that did your timing belt?
I would say you have absolutely no chance of any sort of goodwill gesture at all, (is a rocker failure a known fault with the tdi anyone?).

The VW tdi isn’t the bullet proof model of reliability that you might think. I have owned 2 my self, a 2.0tdi PD and a CR. Also have had the use of 1.6tdi in a work vehicle. All three had significant reliability issues.

Edited 6 August, 20223 yr by Gmac983

That price was from the Skoda dealer for a brand new engine.  I’ve had the car moved to the other garage I use and he’s going to have a look at it.  If it is a new engine refurb or recon seems the obvious way to go.  
 

the only concern I have is I have no experience of these.  I assume if I find a decent reputable one then it’s all fine?

 

one has quote £2k for supply of recon engine which although expensive still a lot less than the dealer.

Hello, welcome to the forum. Unless there has been extensive damage to other engine internal components, apart from the broken rocker and associated valve, it seems unlikely that the complete engine would need replacing.

Unless pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft have been damaged, I'd have thought a cylinder head rebuild would be the most that was required.

Edited 6 August, 20223 yr by Warrior193
correction

2 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

Hello, welcome to the forum. Unless there has been extensive damage to other engine internal components, apart from the broken rocker and associated valve, it seems unlikely that the complete engine would need replacing.

Unless pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft have been damaged, I'd have thought a cylinder head rebuild would be the most that was required.

Fingers crossed my local garage can sort it without an engine change.  Thanks everyone for your advice. 

4 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

Hello, welcome to the forum. Unless there has been extensive damage to other engine internal components, apart from the broken rocker and associated valve, it seems unlikely that the complete engine would need replacing.

Unless pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft have been damaged, I'd have thought a cylinder head rebuild would be the most that was required.

Always gotta air on the side of caution but worst case could be its dropped a valve, rattled around in the cylinder and damaged all the cylinder walls, piston, cylinder head. 

Best case its a bent valve and broken rocker. 

It does start so hopefully the latter.  Just sounds awful and has a severe knocking from the top end.

1 hour ago, ApertureS said:

Always gotta air on the side of caution but worst case could be its dropped a valve, rattled around in the cylinder and damaged all the cylinder walls, piston, cylinder head. 

Best case its a bent valve and broken rocker. 

If the OP is lucky, the rocker didn't jam the affected valve in the open position when it broke - in which case it possibly didn't make contact with the piston. Unless multiple rockers failed, should have affected one cylinder only.

1 hour ago, Mkinross1 said:

It does start so hopefully the latter.  Just sounds awful and has a severe knocking from the top end.

Strongly advise to NOT run the engine until the cylinders and head can be inspected.

24 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

Strongly advise to NOT run the engine until the cylinders and head can be inspected.

Absolutely, the garage got it running and that’s when they heard the severe knocking. 

Get that estimate properly costed because a 'VW replacement engine' from Skoda / VW which is a refurbished 'Base engine' is not £6,000 including VAT

and even if they spend 15 hours labour @ £115 plus VAT you are not at £10,000.

 

They do not even charge that to themselves when doing Warranty Work for VW Warranties or any Warranty provider. 

 

For anyone interested my local independent garage has found the fault. Turns out a rocket has broken on cylinder 3 which has closed one of the valves.  This in turn has damaged the camshaft and cam cover.

 

So thankfully not a new engine.  Camshaft assembly was £1500 however, but cheaper than anticipated.  Local official VW parts company that my garage got the part from said they have sold two others in last 6 months.  Not massive numbers but obviously something that has failed before.

Sorry rocker not rocket….

Well, that fantastic news. Delighted for you. 👍🏻

Great results OP, £12000 to £1500 is the reason Stealers have a bad name.  No interest in fixing, just replacing.