Engine check light

[Difinity]

More fun this last weekend. On the way to Sydney, had the check engine light flicker on and off (not on and fixed)...
Stopped and checked bay, oil etc. no indication of any issue, and stayed off at lower speed (80-95) so continued on.
Left it in Sydney with an issue with some of the coil sets. Seems inconsistent.
Time hopefully will tell and be resolved.

Has over 66k kms, almost no issue prior to this.

Skoda roadside were great - organised the tow, arranged a hire car (high one way cost, but at least transport) and offered to return the car home when fixed. Hope it doesn't take too long.


Difinity

[Snail Style]

1.2L? Most likely the leads or corrosion in the coil itself.

[Difinity]

1.4 twincharge. Dealer says there is oil fouling the spark plugs. Refuse to fix until oil consumption tests completed, but I live 380km/s from where the car is. VAG/Skoda have pulled the plug on the hire car too...


Difinity

[Difinity]

Got the dealers report now:
Says compression on cyl 1 & 2 is 220 psi, and on 3 & 4 is 210 psi; noting that these are correct to spec.
All the Briskoda blogs I can find say compression ratio should be 10:1, giving an approx compression standard of 170-180 psi.
Engine shows oil fouling plugs. Has been 'cleaned' and req oil consumption test.

I'm not sure I can trust the engine again though - if there is oil fouling the ignition sufficiently to shut the engine down into 'emergency mode', it shouldn't matter how much oil is being used - it's in the wrong place!

Been without the car 5 weeks now and not started to fix yet. Bloody not happy right now...


Difinity

[Lucas_R]

There were some revised spark plugs to help combat this issue that VW/Audi/Skoda released. The new spark plugs are shorter to move them out of the way of the fuel injector (normally they foul due to fuel spraying on them because they stuck out to far). 1st ive heard of the plugs being fouled with oil though.

[zei20t]

Spark plugs and a revised oil breather pipe is the solution for CAV engines.

[Lucas_R]

Spark plugs and a revised oil breather pipe is the solution for CAV engines.

Plus revised oil squirters for the underside of the pistons.

[brad]

Plus the plugs need to be changed a lot more often than the book says. Like every 30,000km.

[Difinity]

Update:
Compression suddenly down from 220 psi on cyl 2 to 108. Dealer is now (finally pulling the engine down). 7 weeks on sat and counting...


Difinity

[Difinity]

Still no car. 10 weeks on now. Car is in Canberra, where they found a sudden drop in compression on one cylinder. Have reinstated a hire car until mine is available. Waiting on parts now - not sure which parts but would not be surprised if that means near new engine...


Difinity

[Umai Naa!!]

Under warranty, it'll be a brand new engine.

[Difinity]

Latest advice is a rebuild. Might finally get the car back in the next few weeks. Asked about a new crate engine but was told that the bore was not damaged and it was to be rebuilt.
Asked about a full replacement car too. They didn't think that was funny.
Next is to get car back and go down ACCC/lawyer path I think...


Difinity

[Umai Naa!!]

To be fair, there's nothing wrong with the car itself which would warrant a complete new car. Besides, the engine failures in these relatively common, so it's not like you've bought a dud.

The engine's just the engine. If they feel it can be reubilt with new pistons and consumables, it'll be fine. There's enough documentation at dealer level to build one to the correct specs, and if the technician's done a good enough job, you'll struggle to tell it's ever been apart.

[Difinity]

My concern is that, given the commonality of the failures, and the service bulletin and change to components and software which were released prior to my car being built (was a special order and took six months from order to finish), the engine should have been fixed before it was delivered. VW built and sold it to me knowing full well that it was likely to fail within the warranty period. Then they have taken more than 11 weeks to repair it.
In the meantime, I'm still paying lease, and will continue to do so as though it was a new car without this fault.


Difinity

[Difinity]

Update:
Sorry Umai, engine's a bloody dud. Must disagree too - it is completely unacceptable to have a modern engine fail in this way and so early in its life cycle. It is even more unacceptable to take 12 weeks to 'fix' it. If I wanted a car that spends more time in the workshop than on the road, I'd have bought an old Jag or something.
As for the update - back on a tow truck just 1,190 kms post build with the ECR (engine light) back on. Dealer confirms a misfire (cyl 1 this time), but bloody claims that Skoda 'allows for a misfire after a rebuild'. Reality is a rough running car, with an uneven vibration you can feel in the wheel and seat, about +20% increase in fuel use (was 5.9-6.1, now >8-10 l/100), and seems to have lost power. My 'seat-of-the-pants' dyno thinks about 10-15%...
Would have been better if they'd just replaced the engine in the first place. This bloody saga has some time to run yet, and if lost all confidence in the car and VW in general.


Difinity

[Rubbadub]

That's very disappointing. Let's hope they sort you out properly this time. Whilst I understand the inclination to spend the least money to fix warranty problems, surely a satisfied customer who might recommend - or who knows, buy another VAG product - is worth more to a company in the long run.

[Difinity]

Yeah. I reckon I'll probably never consider a VAG product again, and I'm still considering a long legal battle to recover my costs and losses.


Difinity

[VW Convert]

Update:
Sorry Umai, engine's a bloody dud. Must disagree too - it is completely unacceptable to have a modern engine fail in this way and so early in its life cycle. It is even more unacceptable to take 12 weeks to 'fix' it. If I wanted a car that spends more time in the workshop than on the road, I'd have bought an old Jag or something.
As for the update - back on a tow truck just 1,190 kms post build with the ECR (engine light) back on. Dealer confirms a misfire (cyl 1 this time), but bloody claims that Skoda 'allows for a misfire after a rebuild'. Reality is a rough running car, with an uneven vibration you can feel in the wheel and seat, about +20% increase in fuel use (was 5.9-6.1, now >8-10 l/100), and seems to have lost power. My 'seat-of-the-pants' dyno thinks about 10-15%...
Would have been better if they'd just replaced the engine in the first place. This bloody saga has some time to run yet, and if lost all confidence in the car and VW in general.


Difinity

I'm staggered to read this ongoing saga and whilst I'm not in agreeance about it being unacceptable for an engine to fail in this way (any manufactured item is a chance to fail) the process to fix the problem has been nothing short of disgraceful.

I would not have been as patient as you, I would have been directly corresponding with the MD of both Skoda Aust and VW Aust many weeks ago. What seems to be happening here is total incompetence in the administrative process and now also in the repair process.

I would be heading straight to the top right now asking for a new engine and compensation for your financial and other losses.


Cheers

George

[Difinity]

I have. VW have refused. My lawyer is assisting now...

As for engine failure - given the engine is nearly new (<3yrs), and that VW acknowledged an overheating and oil issue in a 2012 service bulletin (not for public release no less), and my car was built in 2013, it is totally unacceptable that the same, known and acknowledged problem should occur, and not be properly addressed. My attitude would be different if the evidence clearly suggested this was a one off, in which case an effective and fast repair would have been appropriate. In fact, my Indy repairer quotes a 100% failure rate for this motor, going back to 2005, and my dealer agrees. The service manager said in person that they expect to see this issue somewhere between 5-95,000 ks for this engine.
While the dealer may be under some legal obligation to not be transparent about the repair, VW certainly is not and has refused access to the repair report, stating that as its a warranty repair they are not obliged to disclose. Advice was that a discovery hearing would most likely be vigorously defended as well - so I cannot afford to sue in my own right. We'll see what happens after the f**king engine fails again...


Difinity

[Difinity]

Truth is that if I was not tied into a lease contract where the repaired car is worth less than my payout, I'd have sold it 3 weeks ago and got something not VW instead.
It is however the appalling and offensive approach taken by VW re their liability in this whole bloody episode which has upset me more than anything else.

For the mechs out here:
As far as I'm concerned, breaking one piston and failing the engine is not properly repaired by replacing just that one piston. Now I have 3 Pistons with 67,000 k's wear and one with 1,200 K's wear. No wonder there is a vibration. Also, modern engines are not supposed to be expected to fail because of an inherent design fault. VW should have replaced the whole engine immediately given the circumstances.


Difinity

[Difinity]

Got to test on a return run Canberra - Sydney yesterday.
ECM light on twice (flickering). Car stumbling and rough running at low speeds and unable to hold pace using cruise control.
Slowed >15km/h when I took my foot off the pedal - this is a new behaviour.
Fuel consumption still AV 7.8-10 l/100 (needed 1.5 tanks for the trip - used to use less than 1).
Oil temp hovering around 100 degrees @ 100-110 km/h and 20 deg ambient (coming home last night). Car is smoother at 2.9-3k rpm than at lower speeds)




Difinity

[mmmRacer]

Did the car run ok again after restart?

[Difinity]

Not as bad as the Friday night, but bad vibration all the time.


Difinity

[Difinity]

Car back with the dealer again.
So far, VAG and the dealer have been unable or unwilling to rectify the significant problems with this car over a 16 week period. Today, it has the same problems it exhibited in Oct, despite an apparent engine rebuild. Additionally, the cruise control no longer works, fuel usage is 16% higher than before and power seems to be about 20-30% down. The vibration makes the car uncomfortable and the misfires and stumbling risk an accident in traffic. So far, this case has been off the road or faulty 11% of the time I've owned it.
I could understand this if I'd bought a 50 yr old Jag but I bought from VAG on the apparently mistaken understanding of superior reliability and engineering quality.
Not happy Jan!


Difinity

[brad]

I'd be starting to exercise my statutory warranty rights.

[Difinity]

Seems there are very few statutory rights here. Aust does not have a 'lemon' law, so it is up to the manufacturer and dealer to take appropriate action. Then there's legal action - that's out of my capacity to pay, though there are some remedies available - I'm working through those now...


Difinity

[brad]

have a look on the ACCC website. All your statutory rights are there.

[Difinity]

One month in and the ECR has come on again twice this week. Car is back with the dealer - for some days most likely.
Best bit is the call I got this afternoon from some poor person in service: 'Mr B, I am calling to let you know that while we are still working though to identify the problem with your car, the problem is not with the engine.'
I asked then - so the problem causing an engine misfire is not the engine? 'Yes, that is correct.'
Thank you and finished the call.

Seriously, a misfire problem isn't the engine? What is it then, the wiper control or the left rear wheel?

This is specialisation gone nuts. There may well be an issue with an ancillary (like maybe the supercharger or the engine mgt software or excess oil in the cylinder again or something) but to claim that is not the 'engine' simply takes me for a fool. Not happy Jan.


Difinity

[Difinity]

Looking at the injectors now - have to take then (sans car) to Sydney for testing.
Will be interesting to see what is found...


Difinity

[LukePolo]

Just had a quick read over some of your issues - I think you should contact Fair Trading regarding your issue

Now we don't have a lemon law as such in Australia but dealership pushback is something that they specialise in dealing with.

In the past I had a Holden Cruze which went back for warranty 27 times in the 54 weeks I owned it.

In the end after Holden gave me a very similar muck around to what you've dealt with, I contacted Fair Trading who acted as a mediator and things started to finally happen. I was refunded my money for the vehicle, less interest and depreciation on the 38K that I did on the car.

As soon as a case is opened with Fair Trading they will be able to shake VAG/ Your dealership enough to get a permanent non muck around final fix... It isn't like VW haven't seen your types of problems before...

[Difinity]

Hi Luke - I have a solicitor addressing this stuff


Difinity

[LukePolo]

Hi Luke - I have a solicitor addressing this stuff


Difinity

Oh sorry - Even better

[Difinity]

Still have to get car working too.
Is on lease, sold after an issue with oil and overheating Pistons was identified, but not rectified pre-sale. ACCC advice is that I need to suffer repeated failures for the same issue to be able to claim a refund/replacement car.


Difinity

[muli]

Do the check engine light codes get stored or are they cleared once car shut off?

Missus car had rougher/jumpier than normal cold start today which was followed by engine light flashing which dissapeared after 20-30 seconds.
Also sometimes its like it doesnt come on full boost, bit like driving a 90tsi courtesy car

[Difinity]

Give Skoda Assist or your dealer - do not drive the car until checked or it will blow a piston. Then pl send me details and service report - will help the legal case.
Incidentally, the engine light is actually the input/exhaust control module - flashing on/off and rough running suggests misfiring. If the Pistons get too hot, they will burn through and blow your engine.
Happy to chat - 0413118485


Difinity

[muli]

Do they come out to you and look at car or hows it work?

I got told the rough/jumpy start was the cats warming up by gold coast skoda, another dealer suggest that only 98 fuel should be used which was funny as part of my fault description was that 98 fuel was/is always used.

The thing is it gets worse as cars gotten older

[Difinity]

I was advised not to drive the car and have it towed to the dealer. If your dealer doesn't know how to help, give Skoda Australia a ring and talk to the customer service manager...


Difinity

[Difinity]

More pain.
Injectors tested (car off road for 12 days) and failed. Now they want $1500 to replace.
What is it about VW/Skoda and an apparent lack of understanding about service and the meaning of 'warranty'?


Difinity

[muli]

Is that all four injectors? Direct injection injectors arent exactly cheap

[Difinity]

Sorry, 'DI injectors aren't exactly'. What do you mean?

I haven't seen a report yet so do not know, other than was told they are fault and need replacing - was suggested there may have been some 'bad' fuel at some stage. As far as I know, fuel quality has not been tested on any of the occasions the car went in with misfires, nor when the engine was rebuilt. Am waiting to hear...


Difinity

[muli]

Is the bad fuel their excuse to attempt to make you pay for the injectors under warranty.

Dealership scanned the engine light which was logged as a misfire but apparently they cant tell which cylinder it was?
Cars due for 60k service in bit over a 1000km so apparently no point playing with sparkplugs/compression testing now.


Heres a few year old video of the car sounding like a trabant

https://youtu.be/RS-1uAagzUk

[OilBurna]

That is ridiculous good luck


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Difinity]

The strict advice I had from VW/Skoda Australia is that the car was not to be driven if the ECM light came on. They said : call the tow truck.
If you have an ECM issue, they must check compression - if they'd pulled the head on mine earlier, I probably would not have blown a piston...


Difinity

[muli]

The book says you can drive on yellow light

Sent from my LG-H815 using Tapatalk

[Difinity]

The advice in mine was to turn the car off and call Skoda Roadside Assist.
Yours does sound broken though...


Difinity

[muli]

That video was from july 2013 :) car had between 5-10k on the odo back then

[Difinity]

Wow


Difinity