First Engine problem with great Yeti 1.8.TSI Inlet Camshaft variable timing Issue.

[drbaz]

My 2012 Yeti 1.8TSI Manual has been fantastic.... Its done 130000kms and I have had no issues except for a couple of wiper blade replacements. Until last Friday that is, when the engine warning light came on. It had been running alittle rough and was due for a oil change in about 2000km. Local VW/skoda mechanic diagnosed faulty inlet camshaft variable timing solenoid. Im up for $700 to repair.

Has anyone else had this problem?

It has had no mods and has been log book Serviced as per Skoda Guidelines and has lived on 98 octane fuel all its life. Is this a common issue with the 1.8 VAG group TSI engine? Seems abit early for a well looked after car to be wearing out.

[Lucas_R]

Another guy had this a few weeks ago with a MK6 GTI (essentially same engine, just 0.2L larger capacity) and that inlet cam solenoid cost him $180 trade price. So even if you factor in another $50-70 for a non-trade price, that's still only about $230-250 for the part.

And it takes about 20mins to swap over. So $700 sounds very rich.

I need help... 2.0TSI

[drbaz]

Thanks for reply and good info Lucas... they are doing a plugs/oilfilter etc tuneup service as well (usually around 300) so maybe the quote is for the service and the replacement solenoid. After this experience and consulting this great self study guide I found online re VW 118 TSI Engine , Im going to make oil changes every 10000 instead of every 15000 km as advised by Skoda. Hoping to get 250000km out of this car.

Will update you on how its running when I get it back on Wednesday.

[Lucas_R]

The 1.8T is a good little engine, and with correct maintenance it should last well. I do oil changes every 7,000-8,000km on my Mk6 GTI - possibly overkill but it's a small cost (approx $110 for good quality synthetic oil and genuine oil filter) to ensure longevity of the engine.

Just note that the VW 118TSI engine is different to the Skoda 118TSI engine - despite the same KW rating and naming etc. The VW 118TSI is a 1.4L 4 cyl that is both supercharged and turbocharged....sounds good on paper but these are terribly unreliable engines. The Skoda 118TSI is the 1.8L 4cyl turbo engine (basically a slightly smaller version of the same engine used in the Octavia vRS and Mk6 Golf GTI). The engine in your car is much much better (in design simplicity and reliability) than the VW 118TSI.

[drbaz]

Yes I have heard this from a few people now and there are no 118tsi yetis for sale on carsales.com (only the 112kw TSI with the slightly dodgy vw dsg Auto box.. Was thinking of getting a remap by BSR that can take it to 140kw but don't want to fry the engine... its plenty quick enough for me!

[Lucas_R]

Remapping is perfectly safe and wont harm your engine. The extra torque you will get makes the car much more driveable and enjoyable. Go for it.

[woofy]

With the young age of your car, I would ask if they can repair it under good will, anything under 5 yrs extended warranty or not like that is an early failure if it's not a consumable part.

[drbaz]

Thanks for your reply woofy, I only had the three year warranty that expired Jan 2015....Get the extended one folks! Its not a dealership doing the repair so cant really hit them for goodwill. Mechanic waiting on solenoid part to put it all back together ... will know tomorrow if all is well or not. Anyone know whether a quality remap is good for long engine life?

[drbaz]

so the saga continues with intake camshaft solenoid and sensor replaced and no joy..... yeti now at local VAG dealer... i have no car and so far no offer of loan car from dealer while fault is fixed i hope this ends well .....

[drbaz]

Update .... Local dealer has diagnosed stretched timing chain....I am hoping that this can be repaired under goodwill as I feel this is an unacceptable failure.

[Lucas_R]

Update .... Local dealer has diagnosed stretched timing chain....I am hoping that this can be repaired under goodwill as I feel this is an unacceptable failure.

What is it with VW/Audi/Skoda and their timing chain issues?!!?!?! In this day and age, how can a manufacturer have so many ongoing issues with timing chains.

Sometime in 2012, the timing chain and timing chain tensioner (which were common issues on this engine early on in its production) were revised - perhaps your car still had the old revision items.

In that case, you might want to get your dealer to check your timing chain tensioner is the revised part - as it will only cost you a very small amount to update this part while the timing chain is being replaced.

[Lucas_R]

Any update on this?

[drbaz]

unhappy update on the original post ... local vag dealer James Frizelle Lismore has confirmed stretched timing chain and Skoda Australia has offered to pay 300 dollars of a 2100 dollar repair ... this is truly terrible support and I will be contesting this diabolically bad response from SKODA Australia tomorrow .... stay tuned....

[Snail Style]

Skoda is normally quiet loose with their warranty authorisation, how is the service history?

[drbaz]

The service history is as per the book Snail Style ... alittle earlier then every 15000

Todays Update.... Spoke to Skoda Australia this morning and they are currently reconsidering goodwill contribution to replace timing chain and guides. They will only consider paying for actual replacement part costs (600dollars) which will mean I will be still out of pocket over $2000 due to towing,labour and hire car costs (no loan car offered from James Frizelles Lismore).


Have been advised by Australian Consumer Law that this can be considered a "major "problem on the part of the product...defined as one that if I had known about it I would not have bought the vehicle. In this instance I am entitled to a full refund of costs.... Thats if I can be bothered fighting Skoda with the NSW Small Business Comissioner.

Am also considering sending issue to ABC's The Checkout program I think the world needs to know that the VAG group TSI engine won't last very long even if if you service it according to the schedule by expert VAG mechanics , drive long distance country kilometres and don't tinker with it!

Will post again when I have heard back from Skoda....
Thanks everyone for your interest in this issue.