2017 VW Tiguan burnt or cracked valve common??

[Glenda W.]

My granddaughter called me today. Took her 2017 VW Tiguan 2.0T with 125k miles to her local shop because it’s running rough. They told her cylinder #3 has a cracked valve and it’s common on these? Quoted her $9100 for a used engine. She’s having it towed to me to check it out.

 

[RooflessVW]

LMAO that price is crazy.

I wouldn't call it common, but it can happen.

 

[The Critic]

Cracked valve springs, burned valves and destroyed pistons are all somewhat common on the EA888 motors, even the Gen3.

 

[Trav]

My granddaughter called me today. Took her 2017 VW Tiguan 2.0T with 125k miles to her local shop because it’s running rough. They told her cylinder #3 has a cracked valve and it’s common on these? Quoted her $9100 for a used engine. She’s having it towed to me to check it out.

Check this out very carefully, the PCV valve is notorious on these engines and can cause rough running, lower performance, noises, all sorts of crazy stuff.
I am not diagnosing this just pointing out this is a real issue. My nephew was told his Audi 2.0T needed and engine when he was away at college, I got it home and found a bad PCV.
There are youtube videos on how to test it before doing a compression and leak down test.

 

[Exhaustgases]

That kind of money better spent on an older Honda or Toyota, you know one thats many years before all the problems they now have.

 

[scrllock]

Cracked valve springs, burned valves and destroyed pistons are all somewhat common on the EA888 motors, even the Gen3.

Leaking thermostat housings or bad PCVs, common. Destroyed pistons? Not common, unless you're looking at tuned vehicles.

Costs way less than $9100 to rebuild the head, and first gen EA888s (pre-MQB Tiguan) aren't too hard to find if it came to that.

 

[The Critic]

Leaking thermostat housings or bad PCVs, common. Destroyed pistons? Not common, unless you're looking at tuned vehicles.

Costs way less than $9100 to rebuild the head, and first gen EA888s (pre-MQB Tiguan) aren't too hard to find if it came to that.

Cracked piston ringlands were a thing around the 2015-17 era for the EA888.3, even on stock vehicles.

 

[scrllock]

Cracked piston ringlands were a thing around the 2015-17 era for the EA888.3, even on stock vehicles.

Maybe for 2015, but still. This is not an EA888.3.

 

[The Critic]

Maybe for 2015, but still. This is not an EA888.3.

You're right, I forgot that a 17 was still the older generation, which used the CCTA.

 

[RooflessVW]

Why a new engine? Put a new head on it

 

[Andyd95]

We charge over $10k for used CCTA/CBFA installed but we make it right - full reseal, timing set, plugs/coils, injectors, water pump, valve cleaning, engine mounts, etc. Depending on the application and budget we will even do balance shafts. Used to do a lot more cylinder heads on these for bent valves, anymore it’s bottom end concerns so engine it is.

 

[Glenda W.]

Why a new engine? Put a new head on it

Once I get my hands on it and check compression etc. that may be an option.

 

[Glenda W.]

We charge over $10k for used CCTA/CBFA installed but we make it right - full reseal, timing set, plugs/coils, injectors, water pump, valve cleaning, engine mounts, etc. Depending on the application and budget we will even do balance shafts. Used to do a lot more cylinder heads on these for bent valves, anymore it’s bottom end concerns so engine it is.

They did say it comes with 3 year 36k warranty. But we’re approaching the cars value.

 

[The Critic]

Once I get my hands on it and check compression etc. that may be an option.

If you decide to tear into it, buy an alldatadiy subscription and familiarize yourself with the head design. It is a very "modular" setup with the way that the camshafts are packaged. Very different than most engines. You will also need the timing tools.

 

[RooflessVW]

If you decide to tear into it, buy an alldatadiy subscription and familiarize yourself with the head design. It is a very "modular" setup with the way that the camshafts are packaged. Very different than most engines. You will also need the timing tools.

Better to get an erWin sub for $50 and download everything

 

[shortyb]

Does it have any CEL lights on? Usually something major that causes the rough running will set one off. It may just be a matter of valve deposits and a good cleaning, along with a new breather could probably make it right. Almost ALL CCTAs suffer from this and cause all sorts of issues. Sounds like the shop wants to charge $9100 for a valve clean and new manifold.

 

[Marcozi]

Did the shop scan the engine computer for codes? I recommend that your granddaughter find another shop.

 

[DuckRyder]

My granddaughter called me today. Took her 2017 VW Tiguan 2.0T with 125k miles to her local shop because it’s running rough. They told her cylinder #3 has a cracked valve and it’s common on these? Quoted her $9100 for a used engine. She’s having it towed to me to check it out.

The fact they want to put an engine (a used one at that) in it for a valve problem immediately calls into question everything about this shop.

Why a new engine? Put a new head on it

Of just some valves if you can get them.

It would be ignorant to put an engine in it if one valve is all that's wrong.

I would completely disregard this shops diagnosis and start from scratch as pointed out by several folks. The Trav writes something its worth reading.

 

[Glenda W.]

I don’t have it yet but P0303 misfire cylinder 3. Supposedly no compression in that cylinder. CEL and SEL lights.

 

[scrllock]

Lots of info that we don't have. Why is the valve cracked? Was there piston to valve contact? Did the damage cause metal debris to circulate around the motor? Did valve material damage cylinder 3's bore? There are potential reasons to replace the motor given the diagnosis. We simply don't know the full story.

As a customer, given the choice to A) gamble on the rest of the motor being unharmed, B) pay to have the block torn down to determine the extent of damage, or C) just buy a known-running engine with a warranty, even a short one? C is the obvious choice for a lot of people, since A and B run the risk of having to pay the cost of C as well anyway. And the shop isn't there to fix a broken valve, they're there to give you a running car. If you fix the valve and soon after they've got a badly scored cam, cylinder wall, or debris that's going to plug a VVT solenoid, the customer is going to be back soon and even more upset if they have to pay an even larger bill the second time.

Don't get me wrong, shops screw people over all the time, especially local ones without make-specific knowledge. But I'd be surprised if you get "cracked valve" without scanning codes and tossing a scope in there.