1.8 TSi Cam Chain Scare Stories

[RicksAlfas]

I fancy swapping the wife's Golf V for a Yeti, in particular the 1.8 TSI 4x4 from the first generation with the round(er) headlights.

There seems to be quite a lot of reports on this engine relating to failed cam chain tensioners resulting in stretched/skipped cam chains with inevitable results. The suggestion is that extended oil changes and/or low oil levels contribute to it.

Two questions:
1 - is it a genuine problem, or is it a case of a few issues shouted about many times?
2 - if I'm concerned, does anyone know how much a new tensioner and chain is as a preventative cure? It seems the tensioner has been revised in design so a new one shouldn't go...

TIA.

[Narcisus]

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/266114-18tsi...

Mine also started using a litre of oil every 1k miles. Got shut before any chain problems. Lovely smooth engine otherwise....

[RicksAlfas]

Is the oil usage tied to the cam tensioner, or another problem?

I can't see how a failing cam tensioner can cause excessive oil use?

[Narcisus]

Yeah another problem. Have a google. Loads of info on it.

[RicksAlfas]

Thanks. It's a bit off putting to say the least.
Don't want to buy a TDI, but petrol engine sounds flakey.

[Narcisus]

Yeah its a great shame. It really is a peach of an engine.... I had mine from new on an Octavia Scout. It had only done 25000 miles ! I would still have it now..... Swapped it for a Superb that has the 2 litre petrol though lol !! I should have learned my lesson.... Hopefully this one will be ok ...