Are the 2.0 TSI engines as bad as they say?

[budgie smuggler]

I've got a 2012 Octavia VRS with the 2.0 TSI engine @ 50K miles. Every time I take the car to a mechanic, they make a point of telling me how bad the engines are. One place told me they won't touch them at all any more and to get rid of it while it's working.

Are they really that bad?

I love the car but having the P2015 fault within the first three months of ownership then repeatedly being told the engines are crap is taking the shine off it. I had planned to upgrade the head unit then take it for a machine polish + ceramic treatment then keep it for a few years. Kinda loath to spend unnecessary money on it though if the engine is a ticking timebomb.

Edited by budgie smuggler on Tuesday 18th December 10:54

[SteBrown91]

Timing chains are a weakness on them but being a 2012 it will have the revised part which is a much lower risk (09/10 cars were the most affected)

They are talking crap - mechanics on the whole don’t know what they are talking about. They are good at fixing things but talk drivel. Find a good vw specialist who will give you a real idea of what is good/bad on the cars

[Dr G]

A lot of the early smokey ones got fixed, and the tensioner problem is now sorted. Water pumps still a bit rubbish but they're not ruinous to replace.

Really good engines overall.

Your mechanic should probably stick to swinging spanners rather than handing out purchasing advice.

[AudiSport]

Last conversation I had with a mechanic at a well know VAG specialist local to me said it was one of the best engines they had produced. Yes it had some issues, but haven’t they all?! I ran a 2.0T in an A4 for over four years with no issues. We currently have one in our Q5, that has had the oil consumption work done, and I think it is a great engine.

[budgie smuggler]

Thanks guys, that's settled the nerves a little.

Dr G said:

Your mechanic should probably stick to swinging spanners rather than handing out purchasing advice.

That's the thing, it was the same story unprompted at 3 different garages, one of which is a 'German car specialist'.

[D'oh]

Yeah i believe a lot of the problems were solved with the revised parts.

I had a 08 2.0TSI and i had P2015 3 times ( had to replace the intake manifold each time! ) - my engine also blew up due to the Timing Chain Issue.

I owned the car for 7 years though so a few things were bound to go wrong.

[Dr G]

budgie smuggler said:

That's the thing, it was the same story unprompted at 3 different garages, one of which is a 'German car specialist'.

A mechanic is often the wrong person to ask; they'll only remember the cars that are a headache. The thousands that come through the doors for a routine oil change are utterly forgettable. Ask a buyer, a sales manager, or someone that handles warranty admin

[budgie smuggler]

D'oh said:

Yeah i believe a lot of the problems were solved with the revised parts.

I had a 08 2.0TSI and i had P2015 3 times ( had to replace the intake manifold each time! ) - my engine also blew up due to the Timing Chain Issue.

I owned the car for 7 years though so a few things were bound to go wrong.

Jees, hope you had a warranty. I saw the bill for my P2015, OEM part was ~£320 + new seals for the injectors or something £20 + 3 hours labour

[cbmotorsport]

Had a 2011 Golf GTI. Chain tensioner failed at around 65,000 miles. luckily it was a lease car. New engine required, and car was away for about a month.

Had a 2013 Octavia VRS 2.0TSI - Waterpump leaked and was replaced under warranty.

I think the tensioners have been sorted as has been said. Great engines otherwise.

ETA: I forgot all about the intake manifold, that was replaced too.

Edited by cbmotorsport on Wednesday 19th December 11:35

[Sheepshanks]

D'oh said:

Yeah i believe a lot of the problems were solved with the revised parts.

I had a 08 2.0TSI and i had P2015 3 times ( had to replace the intake manifold each time! ) - my engine also blew up due to the Timing Chain Issue.

I owned the car for 7 years though so a few things were bound to go wrong.

If that's 7yrs from new I wouldn't expect things to go wrong. You've had faults on things which, in normal circumstances, should last the life of the car.

We ran a Golf for 7yrs and only issue was a slightly sticking rear caliper at 6yrs.

[ManicMunky]

You may find you already have the uprated tensioner in it - my 12 plate does

[D'oh]

Sheepshanks said:

D'oh said:

Yeah i believe a lot of the problems were solved with the revised parts.

I had a 08 2.0TSI and i had P2015 3 times ( had to replace the intake manifold each time! ) - my engine also blew up due to the Timing Chain Issue.

I owned the car for 7 years though so a few things were bound to go wrong.

If that's 7yrs from new I wouldn't expect things to go wrong. You've had faults on things which, in normal circumstances, should last the life of the car.

We ran a Golf for 7yrs and only issue was a slightly sticking rear caliper at 6yrs.

Nah i had bought the car second hand , had about 30k on it when i bought it.

Also - no warranty , i will never financially recover from the ownership of that car.

[budgie smuggler]

ManicMunky said:

You may find you already have the uprated tensioner in it - my 12 plate does

Is there an easy way to tell?

I checked my car on one of those VIN tools and it said the build date was early 2012. I read on Briskoda or somewhere that the new part came in end of March.

[the-photographer]

budgie smuggler said:

ManicMunky said:

You may find you already have the uprated tensioner in it - my 12 plate does

Is there an easy way to tell?

I checked my car on one of those VIN tools and it said the build date was early 2012. I read on Briskoda or somewhere that the new part came in end of March.

March of what year?

[budgie smuggler]

the-photographer said:

March of what year?

March 2012, mine was produced Jan 2012.

I bottled it today and bought a warranty with Car Care Plan, I have it in writing that the tensioners and associated parts are covered

Edited by budgie smuggler on Thursday 20th December 20:37

[aka_kerrly]

budgie smuggler said:

That's the thing, it was the same story unprompted at 3 different garages, one of which is a 'German car specialist'.

Could all be a sign that you have a good one and they'd be happy to offer a px price on your car ......
Keep it serviced and they are good engines.

[ManicMunky]

Yes, there's an easy way to check, but requires some fiddling. Mine is a Jan 2012 build.

There's an inspection hole on the driver's side of the engine. You need to take the wheel off, take the front arch liner off then you can see the plastic bung.

[the-photographer]

budgie smuggler said:

the-photographer said:

March of what year?

March 2012, mine was produced Jan 2012.

I bottled it today and bought a warranty with Car Care Plan, I have it in writing that the tensioners and associated parts are covered

Edited by budgie smuggler on Thursday 20th December 20:37

How much?

The official VW is coming in at around £350 for me

[budgie smuggler]

the-photographer said:

How much?

The official VW is coming in at around £350 for me

349, you might find the official VW/skoda one is the same company. Car Care Plan. For £30 a month it seemed a no brainer until I trust the car again.

[Pistonheader101]

Only issue I’ve had is the intake manifold.

£50 part from eBay, £10 gasket from TPS and one hour labour to fit.

No complaints at all. It’s a very economical engine which does have some grunt to it