Having read all the negative things about potential catastrophic engine failures I asked for a quote from a Skoda main agent in East Sussex to replace the timing chain on my 2011 Octavia 1.8 TSI. The price was £2,278! My word! How did they make these engines to be so fatally flawed and so difficult to work on?

Thats a big bill. The chain and kit is around £250 so I don't see how they want £2000 labour? Unless there are skoda only tools involved I would be going elsewhere.

Alasdair

If their price is accurate from the dealership for your car and engine then no wonder people use VW Independent specialist. Likely not the correct price for a 1.8 TSI from whoever at the Skoda Dealership. PS, catastrophic failures of 1.8TSI,s were not as such Timing Chain / Tensioner failing, it was crap manufacturer VW Group engines and excessive oil use. @BigP What mileage is on your car and does it use excessive amounts of oil?

Edited 17 April17 Apr by Evolution13

@Evolution13 The car has done 82,000 miles. I have only had it a short while so cannot comment on the oil consumption. I am also looking at a replacement water pump as it is leaking coolant. Again, this looks like you have to take a lot of stuff off to get to it, and with a plastic housing it seems destined to fail.

My previous cars were Toyota Corolla GT and Honda Civic Type S 2.0. Both were great to drive, very reliable and cheap to get serviced.