Major Fault - Engine Destruction - Possibly Manufacturing/Part Fault - Please Read

[djgritt]

Hi all,

i have/had a 2007 Octavia vRS TDi

Today, i had a major breakdown, involving the destruction of my engine.

Basically, the Engine mount on the left hand side next to the Expansion Tank, appears to have become detached from the engine, or at least near enough detached, causing the engine to drop and part of the mount to smash through the Cambelt Cover, smash the tensioner and the proceed to tear through the cambelt causing breakage and loss of engine.

This all happened within about 30 seconds

The only sign i had that something was wrong was when i heard a Clunk, and near instantly afterwards a high pitch squeal/whine (the belt rubbing) i had enough time to pull off of the DC (junction markers were up as it started whining) and as i went down the sliproad the belt snapped and the engine cut out, i then rolled to a halt in the next road, which was luckily just off of the sliproad.

When the RAC man that Skoda Assist sent out to me arrived, he had a look and i showed him the damage.

the belt cover had cracked, and lifted the engine cover up enough to unclip it, so with the engine cover removed, you could pull the belt cover further open and see inside.

Unfortunately i didnt manage to get any photos of the damage to put here.

It is likely that this could be a part failure, or manufacturing failure, as it does look like the mount had somehow become detached from the engine, or else it wouldnt have been able to drop, and the mount wouldnt have been able to then smash the cover and bend the tensioner.

the car was taken to my local Skoda dealership, so will hopefully hear more tomorrow.

However, it may be worth Sticky-ing this incase it is a part/maunfacturing issue.
I'll leave that decision down to the Mods/Admin.

The car had just over 3,300 Miles.

I had had it for 11 days, im seriously ****ed off now.

[Jonno VRs]

Ouch! You must be totally gutted mate.

[ncarring]

Ouch - much sympathy.

Keep us posted with news from the garage and we'll sticky it if necessary.

[dstev2000]

Sorry to hear about the damage and I hope Skoda put it right sharpish.

Fingers crossed yours is a one off and this doesn't happen again.

Best of luck and keep us informed as to how you get on.

[Tom_vRS]

Ah well, atleast you'll get a lovely new engine...

Sorry to hear it though, first time we've heard about this problem, fingers crossed its a one off...

[Captain Scarlet]

Sorry to hear of misfortune. Hope Skoda get it sorted soon for you.

[tomo2001]

Mine only took 14 weeks to put right so hopefully that will cheer you up!! (Different engine destruction)

[djgritt]

Originally Posted by tomo2001

Mine only took 14 weeks to put right so hopefully that will cheer you up!! (Different engine destruction)

14 Weeks?!?!

**** the bed.

Hmmm, this situation may not be sorted as quickly as i had hoped then...

[Bagpuss]

I'm gutted for you.

Here's hoping that it gets sorted out quickly.

Given you've only had the car 11 days, I reckon that you should go back to the supplying dealer and ask for your money back. Quite clearly, the car is not of 'satisfactory quality'.
I'd definitely not be happy taking the car back once repaired, as I would always have that nagging doubt in my head.

Bagpuss.

[djgritt]

Originally Posted by Bagpuss

I'm gutted for you.

Here's hoping that it gets sorted out quickly.

Given you've only had the car 11 days, I reckon that you should go back to the supplying dealer and ask for your money back. Quite clearly, the car is not of 'satisfactory quality'.
I'd definitely not be happy taking the car back once repaired, as I would always have that nagging doubt in my head.

Bagpuss.

This is in the back of my mind.

Im going to phone the people who i ordered the car through tomorrow, speak to them and see what they come up with.

I just need a bit of feedback on what is going on and what will happen.

All i know currently is that it died, i called Skoda Assist, they got the car picked up to go to the nearest Dealership, and i had to collect a car from Europcar Rentals they had arranged.

I wasn't told anything else. So hopefully Skoda call me tomorrow, so i can find out what the score is.
As well as find out what the Lease company want to do about it.

[VRStu]

Bad news that mate.

As it's a lease I would imagine in terms of what you can do/demand your hands are a little tied.

[ednmra]

3300 miles - 11 days? Was it new or "nearly new" secondhand? If new, I'd want another car.

[KenONeill]

Definitely a manufacturing fault, but almost certainly a rogue part.

[djgritt]

Well,

Skoda are saying that i have a Twisted Chassis, which caused the Fault, so it isnt warranty.

However, as i argued, how likely is it i twisted the chassis from a 10mph bump? (i had a small shunt last week)

Also how does that explain that the mount became seemingly detached from the engine etc etc...


Anyway, they wont touch it until it is assessed by a bodyshop, so it is being taken this week to be assessed, hopefully.

My insurance company are sorting it out for me now, but the whole "My Fault/Skoda Fault" saga is just my word (plus a colleague who saw the damage) against theirs.

I guess if the bodyshop say that the chassis isnt twisted then they will have to cough up under warranty.

[twonks]

If it was a genuine 10mph shunt, then I shudder at the thought of it damaging and twisting the chassis.

Hopefully it will get sorted out for you, but it is a bit of a pain in the backside if it has to come out of your insurance as a result.

[postmanpat]

Was the shunt your fault or can you claim from a third party? Hope you got their details in this case. As the bumpers are supposedly designed to absorb/ take the brunt of any collision i would be shocked if the chassis was twisted from a 10mph impact front or rear?

[djgritt]

Originally Posted by postmanpat

Was the shunt your fault or can you claim from a third party? Hope you got their details in this case. As the bumpers are supposedly designed to absorb/ take the brunt of any collision i would be shocked if the chassis was twisted from a 10mph impact front or rear?

I was at fault, tired from long distance driving, close to home, didnt look in front of me to see if the car had pulled out of the junction as i moved off.

Was a definite low speed collision, DEFINITELY no more than 15mph tops!


But yeah, another person i was talking to said that i should mention to Skoda that if a 10-15mph collision can twist a Chassis, then they have some serious Build Quality issues and that they should be sorting it out.

In the interest of future safety of the vehicle.

Will mention this to the Bodyshop who are going to assess it, and also to Skoda.

[gadgetman]

I'd get some pics ASAP, and if poss be there when it's inspected (infact make sure you are there!). Keep note of EVERYTHING.

I'd say the lease firm is prob your best allie here. Is it a big frim like Lex (who supplied mine via Benchmark Leasing, sourced through Marlborough West Lon Skoda).

I Have yelled at all of them when I had probs, and it's amazing how quick things are sorted

I hope you get sorted.

[djgritt]

Well, i doubt i can make it on the days of Inspection. I may pop up to Skoda to have a look tomorrow.

However. 2 Different people on 2 Different Forums (VxON and TidyVAG) have mentioned the following;

Originally Posted by TidyVAG Dude

do u know if this is a diesel if it is it could be the same as a what i seen happen 2 a new passat not long ago only done 4000 miles and it sheared a bolt for the engine mound and snapped the bolt hole off the back of the block. it didnt get as far as rippin the belt off but it did still need a new engine block

Originally Posted by VxON Dude

i work at vw dealership, a guy had engine failure on his passat last month.
he got a like for like motor, new engine under warranty. i must stress the above mentioned passat was an 07 plate high spec passat

Plus this from another

Originally Posted by Another VxON Dude

i got a T plate Tdi golf in the yard at the mo and it has done exactly the same thing. The top bolt wasnt done up properly after its cambelt change.

The first 2 quotes however, ESPECIALLY the first one, raises a question. Is this a Part/Manufacturing Fault?

[Lummox]

I have seen it myself but only on a 1.9 diesel. They have moved one of the engine mounting bolts to the aluminium carrier the mounts the alternator etc at the front of the engine. This breaks off and the engine mounting drops. I dont think the 2.0 shares the same set up however.

And I have seen the mounting bolts come undone after a cambelt change (wouldnt effect you I know) but this is why Skoda and VAG say to replace them.