Octavia vRS engine dead!!!!

[GeovRS]

Hello all,
I am posting this about my 2010 vRS 147TSi.
Before coming to the point, I have to admit that I really loved this car among all the other cars I have ever owned. The reasons being the way it drive and the power delivery when needed.
Last week I drove the car 20kms to the work without noticing any difference. After 8 hrs I couldn't start the engine. (I could only hear the starter motor running noise). Next Day I checked everything I could. I towed the car to the Skoda dealership. After 3 days, they came back to me saying, something really wrong with the engine. They confirmed that
- No compression happening.
- Valves are bent.
From the research I am almost sure that I am another victim of notorious TSi engine failures due to the timing chain/ tensioner fault.
The most suspicious thing is that dealership is now asking for 8hrs labour (approx. $1500) to identify what went wrong.
Below link explains much more about this known issue with these engines.
1.8TSI and 2.0TSI engine failures - Skoda Octavia II (2004 - 2013) - BRISKODA

Please help me answering below questions.
- Is it a reasonable amount of time to diagnose the issue?
- What is the cost of a new 2.0 TSi engine?

I have also received quotes ( from non vw mechanics):
To repair the engine: $4000 (including labour)
To fit a second hand engine: $5500.

Please advise me and help me to make the right decision.
Thanks for your time.

[tigger73]

I would be asking the dealer to give you an estimate in writing (they may be reluctant to do this bit) based on a timing chain/tensioner failure.

The reason they want to open it up is to see how much damage has been done and Skoda Aus will need a full diagnosis before any warranty/goodwill claim. However you'll be paying $1,500 for the diagnosis and basically committing to going with the dealer as they won't release the car back to you until you pay their bill regardless.

I know it's a bit of a catch 22 situation, however you really need to get a best/worse case from the dealer in terms of total out of pocket costs and yes we all know the dealer is going to have to go back to Skoda for goodwill repairs. And yes every case is going to be slightly different (yada yada) but they should be able to give you an estimate based on previous (similar) repairs.

If they can't do that then I'd be taking it elsewhere. Obviously other shops are able to give you a price estimate (or even fixed quote) based on replacing the engine. At least you know what you're up for before you start.

Also I would be talking to a VW specialist (independent) workshop. More than likely they have done a few of these already and should be able to give you a pretty accurate price based on past experience. I wouldn't be trusting a shop that gives you a low quote unless they have done these rebuilds before. It's a recipe for a spiraling repair bill (as more and more things are found).

[GeovRS]

Thanks Tigger73.
That is exactly, I was planning to do.
I will try to get an estimate from the dealer ( not sure how well it works)
Anyway I will keep posting the updates.

[tigger73]

I'd stay firm with them if they tell you a b.s. story about not being able to quote you until you've spent $1,500 with them.

Tell them you have a firm quote from an independent for complete engine replacement (if you have this in writing all the better). And press them to give you something in writing to guarantee that you'll go ahead with them.

Push them to talk to Skoda Aus about any potential goodwill repairs prior to them opening up the engine, that way you know where you stand if (hypothetically) it is due to a timing chain tensioner failure. Tell them you're not going ahead with the $1,500 tear-down until they can confirm 100% how much (if any) is going to be covered under warranty.

If it ends up that you need a new engine anyway then it's $1,500 wasted.

[GeovRS]

Quick update!!!!
- Dealership lowered the engine striping & diagnosis cost to $1000.
- Both dealership and customer care confirmed that they won't be able to provide the estimate for the repair.
- Also the customer care confirmed that they won't be offering any goodwill for my car.
- When I mentioned about the others who received the goodwill for the timing chain/ tensioner issue (Golf GTI) they also confirmed that Golf GTI has a different engine to mine ��.

Watch this spot!!!! More updates to come!!!!!

[tigger73]

Hmmm. That's interesting regarding lack of goodwill and that it has a different engine to the Golf. Technically it probably has a different part number on their system but it is essentially the same design and probably comes out of the same engine factory run down the same production line.

The other tack to follow which is protection under consumer laws rather than manufacturer warranty is that you could reasonably expect a car engine to last more than 5 years and XX,000 km.

Something tells me this story has only just begun.

[Tuan]

This is not good - I hope you get this sorted out.

[Lucas_R]

Hmmm. That's interesting regarding lack of goodwill and that it has a different engine to the Golf. Technically it probably has a different part number on their system but it is essentially the same design and probably comes out of the same engine factory run down the same production line.

As tigger73 said, the Skoda vRS version of the engine may have a different part number to the VW Mk6 GTI engine - but it's the same actual engine, design, parts etc etc and the same parts are failing on these engines, regardless of whether its a Skoda/VW/Audi. Im sure overseas there are people with Seat's who have had this engine fail....although we don't have Seat's here in Aust.

Given your car is a 2010 model (as is my Mk6 GTI) you will have the old style timing chain tensioner which is a flawed design and prone to failing. Sometimes they fail when the engine is quite new, other times its when the car is older, and sometimes they never fail - its luck of the draw. Sometime in 2012, a revised timing chain tensioner was released and all new cars with this 2.0TSI engine were fitted with the revised part after this time. The fact that a revised part was released shows that VW/Audi/Skoda acknowledged there was a flaw with the original part.

Luckily i had mine replaced (cost me $1000 out of my own pocket) before any engine damage was done, but seeing that yours has already failed and caused no doubt significant engine damage id be fighting my arse off to have them pay for at least 3/4 of the repair cost, if not all of it.

See my thread here on another VW forum about these timing chain tensioner failures. Plenty of people have replied to this thread with their own experiences: 2.0TSI (EA88 Timing chain tensioner failures

[Lucas_R]

In addition to my previous post, i noticed you said the car wouldn't start in the afternoon after you had driven it to work that morning with no issues. The timing chain tensioner (which i have no doubt is the part that has failed on your car, allowing the timing chain to skip teeth and your pistons have made contact with your valves) fails when the engine is turned off, which means there is no tension on the timing chain, and then when you go to start your car the next time the damage occurs due to the loose timing chain.

[Tuan]

Quick update!!!!
- Dealership lowered the engine striping & diagnosis cost to $1000.
- Both dealership and customer care confirmed that they won't be able to provide the estimate for the repair.
- Also the customer care confirmed that they won't be offering any goodwill for my car.
- When I mentioned about the others who received the goodwill for the timing chain/ tensioner issue (Golf GTI) they also confirmed that Golf GTI has a different engine to mine ��.

Watch this spot!!!! More updates to come!!!!!

This guy had some luck with getting a 2010 under goodwill but it is VW vs Skoda though ... Chances are it's the same issue, but 'different companies' so how they deal with it is going to be different.

Golf 118 TSI Engine Failures and Service Campaign 24S4