Hello all,

 

We are going to look at a Yeti (petrol (1.4 I believe) L&K) this weekend for my wife.  We have a couple of VWs at the moment and I'm reasonably comfortable with checking over cars.  Just wondering what I should be looking for specificially on the Yeti.

 

Through reading on here and elsewhere I'm aware of:

• Sunroof - will check drains and carpets for signs of existing leaks - have read United232's guide to repairing so would plan on doing this preventatively if it's OK at the moment.
• Bottoms of doors for corrosion
• It's got 37k miles so I guess due shortly for DSG service if not already done.

 

I have VCDS so will check codes also.   There seem to be a lot of people who say to steer clear of sunroof models altogether so that seems to be the biggie at the moment although the fix (assuming not already leaked) doesn't sound that bad compared to engine, gearbox issues etc.  

 

If anyone knows the car (PL66 FDP) feel free to drop me a PM (assume I can receive even if I can't send until I have posted a bit more).

 

Thanks

Stuart

 

They only imported manual 1.4 ones to the UK so it must be a 1.2.

 

We've had a few Yetis and chose not to get an L&K just because of the roof 'risk' as it ages. I would have gambled but my other half would have hated the thought of water getting in at some stage.

It is a Black 1395 cc petrol. so must be a manual.

 

@stuartb3502If you want a manual then the Haldex having had services is going to be important.

 

Is it advertised as having a DSG?

Hi - thanks for that.  I didn't actually know what gearbox it was.  It's someone my wife knows and I only got the reg this morning.  I had incorrectly thought that the L&Ks were all DSG.  Manual is fine.  Good info. about the Haldex - will check that.

 

@Prezafab - I think we both like the idea of the pano roof, but reading the number of people who have had issues causes me to pause.  At least it's been raining a lot recently and I know the car sits outside so an existing problem should be fairly apparent.

 

Thanks,

Stuart

7 hours ago, stuartb3502 said:

Hi - thanks for that.  I didn't actually know what gearbox it was.  It's someone my wife knows and I only got the reg this morning.  I had incorrectly thought that the L&Ks were all DSG.  Manual is fine.  Good info. about the Haldex - will check that.

 

@Prezafab - I think we both like the idea of the pano roof, but reading the number of people who have had issues causes me to pause.  At least it's been raining a lot recently and I know the car sits outside so an existing problem should be fairly apparent.

 

Thanks,

Stuart

I hope so. I think it's a calculated risk.

 

It's been a known problem for years for *some* cars, but despite years of posts about it, I don't think anyone has estimated how many are affected with age? 

 

At 8 years old, I would buy one if the risk was <5 in 100, but it might be 20 in 100. No-one knows.

.

 

I had the 1.4 L&K...great car, good performance and 40+mpg average, but I would not get another one due to the (potential) sun roof issues, (and the silly prices)...

4 hours ago, Stubod said:

I had the 1.4 L&K...great car, good performance and 40+mpg average, but I would not get another one due to the (potential) sun roof issues, (and the silly prices)...

We wanted an SEL Drive but settled on a good SEL, because of the above. In fact, we found a great L&K but the respected independent dealer was 4 hours away. He knew about pan roof issues (across the VW Group) and said if the warranty didn't cover any issues that arose (which it wouldnt), they'd take the car in to 'sensibly resolve'. I didn't fancy that 8 hour round trip !

From reading everything I can about the sunroof, it sounds like the drain tube is a bit of maintenance to keep on top of.  Then there is preventative work in terms of improving how the drain tubes are connected to the drain holes (which may or may not have been improved on a later car like this).

 

Then there is the more serious issue of a failure of the joint between aluminium frame and teh plastic sunroof cassette.

 

There's United232's experience there and I see others referencing leaks seeming to happen at the same place after they had cleared drain hoses.   There's also a lot of discussion of identical issues on VW forums.  In those cases, customer indicate that they have tried various sealants (including Captain Tolley's), but they fail over time.

 

There is also a VW repair bulletin.  This is for a different issue (and they say is confined to certain models of Golf).  This is for stress fractures in the plastic channel of the sunroof itself rather than failure of the mastic/sealant between the aluminium frame and plastic cassette.  But in it VW use a combination of another sealant Teroson MS930 and some foil patches (instead of chewing gum and string obviously) 🙂

 

The sealant is described as being resistant to weathering and UV and cures as soft elastic seal (which I guess should help it last over time).  The VW repair uses it for cracks and as I don't have a sunroof to look at, I don't know how easy/difficult it would be to get into teh relevant place (compared to teh very runny Captain Tolley's for example).  There's a person on the VW forum thread who had already repaired their Touareg roof several times with other sealants.  They then used the Tereson MS930 (which seems to be readily available) and reckon it will fix the problem.  They did the repair at the beginning of this year however so no time to report back on if it lasts long term.

 

Links:

https://www.volkswagenforum.co.uk/threads/problems-with-leaking-panoramic-sunroof.44665/

 

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2017/MC-10128041-9999.pdf

 

I think I'm leaning away from taking the plunge on this one and may look for a car sans sunroof.  I don't mind a bit of tinkering, but without confidence that the repair will last it doesn't seem sensible.

 

Stuart

 

   

  

1 hour ago, stuartb3502 said:

From reading everything I can about the sunroof, it sounds like the drain tube is a bit of maintenance to keep on top of.  Then there is preventative work in terms of improving how the drain tubes are connected to the drain holes (which may or may not have been improved on a later car like this).

 

Then there is the more serious issue of a failure of the joint between aluminium 

 

There is also a VW repair bulletin.  This is for a different issue (and they say is confined to certain models of Golf).  This is for stress fractures in the plastic channel of the sunroof itself rather than failure of the mastic/sealant between the aluminium frame and plastic cassette.  But in it VW use a combination of another sealant Teroson MS930 and some foil patches (instead of chewing gum and string obviously) 🙂

I think I'm leaning away from taking the plunge on this one and may look for a car sans sunroof.  I don't mind a bit of tinkering, but without confidence that the repair will last it doesn't seem sensible.

 

Stuart

 

   

  

Sensible is where we got to as well in February!

 

All of our previous Yetis had either been under Skoda warranty, or older but without a sunroof. The fact that you cannot guarantee it will solve or prevent water ingress at some point was the clincher for me to buy an SEL or SEL drive. People sealing up their roofs for good also didn't fill me with confidence.

 

The good news is that good Yetis are still out there.

 

 

Edited 11 July, 20241 yr by Prezafab

After inspecting the car, I found carpets to be dry .  There was evidence of previous water behind the nearside dash end panel.  The Skoda dealer had cleared the drainholes on the last service (just before the seller bought it from them last September).

 

For some reason I struggled to find the drain holes in the time I had to look at the car and have not found any pictures of them viewed from outside the car (all seem to be pictures from inside with headlining removed.

 

I may get my arm twisted by my wife who is keen on the car (despite me passing on what I've learned here).    

 

Stuart

 

p.s. ah - an old Impreza Turbo.  Had three of them starting in '95.  A lot of fun memories.  

49 minutes ago, stuartb3502 said:

After inspecting the car, I found carpets to be dry .  There was evidence of previous water behind the nearside dash end panel.  The Skoda dealer had cleared the drainholes on the last service (just before the seller bought it from them last September).

 

For some reason I struggled to find the drain holes in the time I had to look at the car and have not found any pictures of them viewed from outside the car (all seem to be pictures from inside with headlining removed.

 

I may get my arm twisted by my wife who is keen on the car (despite me passing on what I've learned here).    

 

Stuart

 

p.s. ah - an old Impreza Turbo.  Had three of them starting in '95.  A lot of fun memories.  

 

 

Front drain holes can be found when opening the door and looking down the A pillar.  Rears are behind the bumper and not visible.

 

Mine leaked at 3 years old and was repaired by main dealer under warranty (£1400) but a few months later it leaked again and required a replacement cassette at (£2400). Fortunately I have a very good relationship with my dealer and they picked up the bill.

It was fine for a further 4 years until I sold it.

 

I too am an ex Scooby guy.  I had a Series McRea in the late 90's spent a few years on Scoobynet and at SIDC events and trackdays. 

 

14 minutes ago, logiclee said:

 

I too am an ex Scooby guy.  I had a Series McRea in the late 90's spent a few years on Scoobynet and at SIDC events and trackdays. 

 

Nice photo - I wonder how many of those six are still on the road? I had them originally after the first Legacy Turbo (a great through-the-night to the Alps car!) and then bought another on to keep, ten years ago. I had two company Golf Rs with the 310ps engine, and the Impreza was as quick as long as it was in the right gear at the time.

 

Back to the L&K, I used to use lengths of mountain bike brake cable to clear an Audi A6 drain channels, as I used to get wet front carpets every autumn, after a slight build up of dirt and rotting leaf residue.

7 minutes ago, Prezafab said:

Nice photo - I wonder how many of those six are still on the road?

 

My old one was for sale a in 2022 but it's in storage and not on the road. (Photo below from 2022 sale post)

 

 

Just before I sold it 23 years ago.

Edited 16 July, 20241 yr by logiclee

Nice. It's in Northern Ireland by the looks of it, if you fancy buying it back !? 

On the drainholes - are they visible from the sunroof end or only where they exit?

 

OK - just one Scooby pic 🙂 Mine's on the right.  The other is another SIDC member I met up with for the pic.

 

13 minutes ago, stuartb3502 said:

On the drainholes - are they visible from the sunroof end or only where they exit?

 

OK - just one Scooby pic 🙂 Mine's on the right.  The other is another SIDC member I met up with for the pic.

 

Sorry, not sure - someone will know. On the Audi they were in the front corners moulded into the plastic frame below where the glass sat. 

 

Nice matching pair of Mica blues. Think I'll give mine a run out to the Festival of the Unexceptional at the end of the month - I've always fancied going to see what oddballs are there.

27 minutes ago, stuartb3502 said:

On the drainholes - are they visible from the sunroof end or only where they exit?

 

Front ones are just about visible if you open the sun roof and stand on the sill but you don't see much.  The exits are easy to see when the front doors are open.

 

Rears are not visible. Water coming out each side of the rear is the best check for a blocked drain.

 

On the scooby front we may have crossed paths if you were SIDC active around 1999-2001. I attended most of the meets/functions/trackdays during that period.

7 hours ago, logiclee said:

 

Front ones are just about visible if you open the sun roof and stand on the sill but you don't see much.  The exits are easy to see when the front doors are open.

 

Rears are not visible. Water coming out each side of the rear is the best check for a blocked drain.

 

On the scooby front we may have crossed paths if you were SIDC active around 1999-2001. I attended most of the meets/functions/trackdays during that period.

I'm sure we probably did - Legacy Turbo 96-99 then 3 Imprezas until 2004, when company cars started, then bought this one in 2014 for fun. It's still a blast with the prodrive ECU and sports cat even though it's probably only about 240 bhp. 'Flows' along fast country roads.

 

There should be a Yeti track day, now that would be fun. I'll offer my Impreza as pace /lead/ safety car. There could be a Clarkson-style off road section !

Thanks all.  We did end up getting that one in the end for better or worse.  Picked up today.  Fixed droopy glovebox this afternoon.  Now got to flog one of our other cars due to this opportunistic purchase.  Wife seems happy with it at least.

 

 

5 minutes ago, stuartb3502 said:

Thanks all.  We did end up getting that one in the end for better or worse.  Picked up today.  Fixed droopy glovebox this afternoon.  Now got to flog one of our other cars due to this opportunistic purchase.  Wife seems happy with it at least.

 

 

I hope it's good for you. If you get chance to drive it, you'll find that they handle really well as a 4x4.

Not Impreza-well, but far better than they deserve to - I've held some much quicker cars at bay on country roads !

Thanks. Driven it, but nowhere fun.  Will have to sneak out for a play :-). It handles what we loosely call road surfaces now a lot better than my Golf which is half the battle.