1.2 Timing Chain - Revision Date?

[MattyB801]

Hi all,

Following an earlier post about the 1.2 model, which resulted in extremely positive opinions....I am still slightly worries about the timing chain situation.

We are literally just on the verge of going out and finding us a used 1.2 SX, but i really wanna find out what date the revised timing chain/tensioner was fitted to Ibizas from the factory?

Some people say it affected cars from 2002- early 2004. Can anyone back this up? Or look on a parts CD to tell me the VIN number at which the part was revised?

Massive thanks in advance!!

Matt

(trying to avoid buyin a fiesta just because of the chain problem!)

 

[MattyB801]

Gotta give this a bash one more time - so anyone with info - please post up.

 

[Glennolls]

Can't help you out directly but your best bet might be to give your local dealer a call and enquire with their parts department as to the range of VIN numbers to which the revised timing chain kit is applicable. Then if you're looking to buy a 1.2 go for one with a later VIN number!
Just a suggestion anyway but could be the quickest way to get the answer you're looking for!

 

[Guinness]

the kit to fix this problem doesnt cost a lot anyway

 

[MattyB801]

Thing is, we will be buying a low milage car, sub 4 years old. The car will be in daily use, and we simply wont have the time or money to put the car in to have the timing chain/tensioner/guide changed. These sort of components should last 100k miles +.

If you can see what i'm getting at, say the Ibiza we buy costs £4200, Seat will want £200-400 to change the belt/kit etc. For that money, we could have bought a later model etc, possibly with the better kit fitted from the factory.

Endless searching on google has thrown up nowt, but i will call the dealer tomorrow. (if the monkeys behind the desk at seat are as poor as peugeot or honda, then they will probably get confused and/or not know the answer)

Hmmmm damn

 

[Guinness]

having driven both myself the fiesta wont hold a candle to the ibiza andyway mate good luck with it and hopefulyl u can get some pics up if u do get 1

 

[MattyB801]

I thought that would be the case. Thing is, bar the climate control (it still has a/c), the fiesta is the same spec, cheaper, more available and doesnt have this timing chain issue.

I love the ibiza, but as it stands, i think i would be foolish to buy a car knowing the engine problems it has. Knowing my luck, the chain would jump as the car was driven off the blokes driveway...

 

[Guinness]

well mine had 60k on with no issues and no change.

 

[Leigh15]

Not 100% sold on the 'Fiesta won't hold a candle to it' argument - I had a 54 plate 1.4 Fiesta Zetec from new for 2.5 years - in that time it cost me nothing more than 2 services and a pair of tyres. Wish I could say the same for the Ibiza.

 

[roly]

if your still after details on timing chain i got these from a bulletin i had filed away

revision date was 07/03 from chassis no 4R028617 onwards

 

[Lordy]

Had my Ibiza for about 3 month's, took it in for servicing, and to cut a long story short, car wouldn't start, timing belt had slipped!

Garage fixed it, went to SEAT for goodwill gesture, NOT A THING Cost £500!!!!!

As it wasn't done at an approved dealer (it was stuck at the garage) they won't pay a penny. Does anyone know of info I can get to prove that SEAT know about this fault and that it is a design fault of the 1.2 Ibiza?

If so I will try again!

Cheers, Lordy

 

[Guinness]

point em 2 here?

 

[Lordy]

Thanks Guinness, You reckon I should point them in the direction of the forum?
Have had a look about on the net for some advice, do you or anyone else, know of someone who has had this problem and got some money from SEAT even though it wasn't fixed by a main dealer? The problem is a design fault and I just need some proof for me to approach SEAT again. Does anyone know the name of the Managing Director of SEAT uk and the address of the head office? Is it the one at Blakelands, Milton Keynes?
Ta for any help,

Lordy

P.S. Got some Wlofrace alloys for sale that came off my Ibiza if anyone is interested?

 

[Guinness]

not sure mate, mention the fact there is a kit out to sort this problem out (say you have since found this out). That good will has been shown to over people etc.

 

[gemini2205]

Had my Ibiza for about 3 month's, took it in for servicing, and to cut a long story short, car wouldn't start, timing belt had slipped!

Garage fixed it, went to SEAT for goodwill gesture, NOT A THING Cost £500!!!!!

As it wasn't done at an approved dealer (it was stuck at the garage) they won't pay a penny. Does anyone know of info I can get to prove that SEAT know about this fault and that it is a design fault of the 1.2 Ibiza?

If so I will try again!

Cheers, Lordy

I am currently in touch with SEAT wanting to know why there wasn't a recall on this known fault - one dealer has denied, another very aware of the problem - this forum proves there is a problem but nobody official wants to hold their hands up -
I finally got my car back from the timing chain jumping before Xmas - £1400 worst off due to parts having to be replaced and of course the labour - best bit about it, when my car went to my nearest dealer to have the basic settings addressed due to the battery having been off for so long, they actually did something to the door hinges which had been on a recall - no questions asked, no money asked and out of warranty they just did the job.

 

[st10587]

i never had a problem with my 1.2 '02'plate car and it had done 62k!