Hi,

I have a 2009 Skoda Octavia Estate,

Which has had (@60k mileage) the engine swapped out for a 2.0 litre Audi TT engine, I have a small go kart trailer that I've been towing, but during a trip to Devon I had some issues with the gearbox jamming up or not going into gear.

When looking online for the towing capacity of an Audi TT 2.0 Tsi Cuda(CHDA) engine, the towing capacity is zero... Which I was kinda surprised at,

I initially thought that it was because of having the clutch fixed & thought he'd messed something up..

What upgrades(gearbox, drive shaft or engine parts)could I do to the engine to give it more torque or capable of towing a small to medium sized trailer..

This is not a large caravan or a large car trailer, go karts are small & so it's the trailer.

I only really have camping gear in there when I go on holiday, maybe a surfboard & small amount of scrap metals.

But curious if there's anything I could do to upgrade the towing capacity from Zero to 1500kg or just under.

Any comments appreciated

.

Was it the complete engine and gearbox that was swapped?

Unlikely that your gearbox issue has anything to do with the stated 'Nil Towing' capacity unless the engine (or gearbox) was overheating, which would also seen unlikely with such a small trailer.

The 'Nil Towing' capacity will have simply been an Homologation requirement not fulfilled at the time of manufacture.

Edited 16 November, 202516 Nov by Warrior193
added information

Have you had the vehicle scanned for any logged DTCs?

Presume trailer is unbraked, therefore less than 750kg - is that correct?

Edited 16 November, 202516 Nov by Warrior193
question

The towing capacity of the TT was nothing to do with the engines BHP / Torque, it was just because AUDI never gave it Towing Capacities just as Skoda did not with Mk2 Fabia vRS Hatches or Estates with 180 ps & 250 Nm torque. But they gave the Polo, Ibiza & A1,s with the same drive trains the braked and unbraked figures allowing the fitting of a towbar for towing. Much the same with some Skoda Kodiaq 7 seater manuals, no plating allowing towing.

So the Octavia has the allowable / relevant weights for towing on the car, regardless of the engine swap.If stopped towing by the DVSA / Police then they are looking at the plate.Unlikely they are looking at the engine and swap. & as it is the cars weight and b

You haven't said whether your gearbox is Manual or DSG - What might be an issue is if the original gearbox (if retained AND DSG) is unable to handle the increased torque from the TT engine.

I doubt that a 2.0 TSI with whatever gearbox is not capable of towing a not very heavy trailer when all is well with them. I assume the TT Engine and box fitted was a used one, and it,s mileage matters more than the Octavia getting it fitted what it had done 60,000 miles. It will be a gearbox issue.

OP hasn't said yet whether or not the complete powertrain unit was swapped.

It appears from OPs profile that this was originally a 1.8 L&K - and mentions in the post some 'Clutch' work with the conversion - but not what gearbox is currently fitted.

If a manual box, I suspect a selector cable problem.

I would reset the selector cables first and also check the plastic gear selector in engine bay isnt seizing.

Another possibilty is the cast weighted unit on top of gearbox selector. Make sure its not loose. Son in laws centre splined has worn so its loose. He was randomly getting no gears or difficult to change as it was hitting top of Gbox casting.

Cant see anything engine related affecting gear change.

Alasdair