Engine Failure 2.0 Tsi

[drewFR]

Morning All,

A couple of you are already aware of my situation no names mentioned you know who you are & I greatly appreciate your efforts so far.

For the rest of you and anyone who is interested read on.

I took delivery of a brand new Leon FR 2.0 Tsi in December 2009.

On Thursday 15 May 2014 the car failed to start, after several attempts I called my local Seat specialist garage to visit. They recovered the vehicle and quickly diagnosed lack of compression on all cylinders due to timing chain slippage.

The vehicle had been previously running perfectly and well maintained with regular oil top ups etc..

I contacted Seat UK and had the vehicle recovered to its supplying dealer for further in depth diagnostics.

The outcome of this was catastrophic failure requiring a new engine.
--Cam chain tensioner failure causing slippage and then contact between valves and pistons.
A surprise considering the age and low mileage of the vehicle of 40858.

The aftersales manager of the dealership has negotiated a goodwill contribution on my behalf and I have recently received an offer of £722.13 +VAT towards total costs of repair.

I purchased the car brand new and further OEM accessories at that time including a fixed price maintenance plan so the vehicle was fully serviced at Seat Dealers in its warranted life. The consequent service mileage wise is not due until 41577 although missed its annual anniversary Oct 13 owing to on-going health concerns.

Seat UK’s communication has been dreadful having only received one communication via phone from them. A consequent email to Mr Griggs Head of Servicing at Seat UK and consequently a follow up to Mr Williamson the CEO of Seat UK have both fallen on deaf ears. Resulting in a follow up call from Seat UK insisting they are holding fast with their offer.

Although as a car owner I expect reasonable on-going costs I certainly didn't expect to be replacing the engine in this short space of ownership.

Again thanks to those of you already helping in this case any one else who wants to chime in I would be grateful.

regards

Drew

 

[Richoscos]

I'm so sorry mate. Don't give up on this one, it's insane that a car made in 2009 and serviced properly would suffer with this.

Are Sale of Goods rights applicable here? Have a read of this:

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/car-buyers-guide/cbg_legalrights.html

 

[betty_swollox]

700 quid plus VAT isn't bad for a new engine, but I can see it from your point of view.

 

[drewFR]

700 quid plus VAT isn't bad for a new engine, but I can see it from your point of view.

No that is just their goodwill contribution I am expected to pay the other £4300

 

[betty_swollox]

No that is just their goodwill contribution I am expected to pay the other £4300

Aahhhh sorry mate I missed the contribution part lol, I thought u meant that they were just going to charge you 700 + vat


I'd go down to SEAT UK headquarters and smash the place up.

 

[Biker]

I think the missed service is crucial here, had you had that done I think you would have a strong case.
I know one service doesn't sound like much but from Seats point of view your car has had no maintenance done in 18 months.

Good luck with it anyway mate, it is an awkward situation you find yourself in.

 

[LeonCR]

I think the missed service is crucial here, had you had that done I think you would have a strong case.
I know one service doesn't sound like much but from Seats point of view your car has had no maintenance done in 18 months.

Good luck with it anyway mate, it is an awkward situation you find yourself in.

yep agreed, with a missed service its surprising you have been offered anything

sucks thou

 

[Marshall]

Typical Seat customer service
The part that fails isn't relevant to being serviced.
The timing chain tensioner has been a problem with that engine since it come out and they know it.
The part has been revised so many times and even to date isn't 100% reliable.
The tensioner doesn't fail due to dirty oil or lack of pressure it's the mechanical part that gives the problems.
As your the original owner and you have paid in to the Deat aftersales I'd not accept anything less than 100% goodwill.
Take it all the way and fight your corner as Seat are trying their luck and don't have a leg to stand on.
Either Watchdog or Don't get done get Dom.
Name and shame them for their absolutely horrendous customer service.
Loads of info on the Golf Mk6 forums regarding this failure.
Good luck

 

[mike0105]

That is really shocking. Is it a missed service though? Do they need an annual inspection or is yours variable?

Are the chain tensioners a service inspection item? Would they have bee inspected at the service that you missed?

It might still be worth taking further advice on the matter. The car has been very well maintained by the sounds of it and has clearly failed in its purpose. I really hope you get it sorted as the car should be fit for purpose for a lot bloody longer than it has.


Edit: beaten to it haha

 

[drewFR]

I know I missed the anniversary but I wasn't doing the mileage at the time due to the ill health.

I have gone right to the top of seat UK with no real acknowledgement.

The dealers have been outstanding.

I have written to watchdog , auto car and what car etc .

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Marshall]

Be patient and you'll get there.
They'll be hoping you say sod it and cough up.
Play the long game, watchdog here we come.

 

[betty_swollox]

Typical Seat customer service
The part that fails isn't relevant to being serviced.
The timing chain tensioner has been a problem with that engine since it come out and they know it.
The part has been revised so many times and even to date isn't 100% reliable.
The tensioner doesn't fail due to dirty oil or lack of pressure it's the mechanical part that gives the problems.
As your the original owner and you have paid in to the Deat aftersales I'd not accept anything less than 100% goodwill.
Take it all the way and fight your corner as Seat are trying their luck and don't have a leg to stand on.
Either Watchdog or Don't get done get Dom.
Name and shame them for their absolutely horrendous customer service.
Loads of info on the Golf Mk6 forums regarding this failure.
Good luck

That is really shocking. Is it a missed service though? Do they need an annual inspection or is yours variable?

Are the chain tensioners a service inspection item? Would they have bee inspected at the service that you missed?

It might still be worth taking further advice on the matter. The car has been very well maintained by the sounds of it and has clearly failed in its purpose. I really hope you get it sorted as the car should be fit for purpose for a lot bloody longer than it has.


Edit: beaten to it haha

In my handbook it says the tensioner and belt etc need to be checked for wear at 60,000 miles (or something like that)

 

[jc_boc]

This is sadly a common issue on these engines and spreads across the entire VAG group and includes my Octavia VRS model too. Fight your corner, some people have gone the distance and finally had all costs paid. There is NO WAY that you should even be paying one penny towards the repair of this if you have adhered to the service and maintenance schedule required.

 

[Marshall]

In my handbook it says the tensioner and belt etc need to be checked for wear at 60,000 miles (or something like that)

I'm sure this only applies to the belt driven engines and not the chain driven Tsi engine

 

[drewFR]

Thats right Marshall this is the chain driven lump. So no inspection due quite yet.

 

[betty_swollox]

Thats right Marshall this is the chain driven lump. So no inspection due quite yet.

I'm sure this only applies to the belt driven engines and not the chain driven Tsi engine

Well if that's the cases if the engine had died due to oil starvation due to lack of service then I'd say it's totally your fault,but the fact that it doesn't state that the chain needs to be checked, then I think they're being sly c**ts

 

[drewFR]

That and the fact they have modified the tensioner.

 

[betty_swollox]

That and the fact they have modified the tensioner.

Because it's not FIT FOR PURPOSE!!!

I'm sure if you turned up at their head office and kicked off they'd take more notice than via an email...l

 

[lil3520]

sorry to hear about your motor.

 

[Marshall]

Even if the chain was inspected there's nothing to see on the chain or tensioner.
They are both perfect and serviceable right up to the point the mechanical part of the tensioner fails.
You never hear if them failing whilst driving only on startup before oil pressure is built up therefore solely reliant on the mechanical tensioner.