2005 Polo 1.4FSI camshaft position sensor?

mjt · 19 Jan 2019 at 19:06

Quick Q - my sister's 55 plate Polo (AXU chain-driven engine) sometimes struggles to start (starter motor OK).

A mechanic reckons it's the crank or camshaft position sensor (sounds plausible), so he wants to try that. Otherwise, he'll have to replace the camshaft itself (seems extreme).

Anyway, could it be the crank or camshaft position sensor, and if so, what would be a fair price to replace it at a local mechanic in London? Cheers!

Firestar_3x · 19 Jan 2019 at 19:09

Could be, might also be the crank position sensor, this started to fail on the Passat and made it harder and harder to start until it refused completely.

Delta3D · 19 Jan 2019 at 19:11

Could be various things, when you say it sometimes struggles to start, is it only when the engine is cold/warm etc, does it stop then start again fine?

CPS could be it, but there's known issues with a coolant temp sensor in those cars which can cause starting issues AFAIK.

mjt · 19 Jan 2019 at 19:13

Oh, maybe I meant crank position sensor. My bad

@Firestar_3x what's a fair price?

rodenal · 19 Jan 2019 at 19:42

If it's a non turbo/supercharged engine the crank sensor isn't usually that hard to access using a ramp. You'll probably get charged an hour labour but actual part swapping time.would be more like 15 / 20 minutes

mjt · 19 Jan 2019 at 19:46

OK, I didn't think it was a massive job. The part itself seems to be reasonably cheap at under £50 at the very most. So if they want £200-300 then labour rates must be quite high :eek:

andy_mk3 · 19 Jan 2019 at 19:57

Very common fault on these engines for chain guides to break up causing the chain to go slack, causing poor starting and eventually loss of power and no start.

Firestar_3x · 19 Jan 2019 at 20:32

mjt said:
Oh, maybe I meant crank position sensor. My bad
@Firestar_3x what's a fair price?

Cost of the sensor and an hour & whatever rate, thats what it too me without a ramp.

mjt · 22 Jan 2019 at 21:22

UPDATE:

Sensors replaced, still doesn't start every time. Mechanic reckons either the chain isn't linking up properly or some engine fault that will require the engine to be taken apart. "£700-800 and not worth it" in his words. Lame.
Any decent lease deals around? ;D

What's the best place to sell? eBay/gumtree? What's the best approach? Play stupid?

Gaygle · 23 Jan 2019 at 08:47

Sounds like the mechanic doesn't have a clue...

Scooby_WR1 · 23 Jan 2019 at 09:28

Did he not test the sensors before replacing them?

mjt · 23 Jan 2019 at 18:43

I dunno. She bought the thing for £2275 over 4 years ago so I think it's had a pretty good innings!

What's it worth? £900 on Gumtree with "electrical fault"? (mechanic reckons that maybe it's the ECU)......
FWIW she should probably find a new mechanic.

EDIT- so it doesn't start when the engine is warm. Will start fine when cold, but if you turn it off when warm it won't start again.
So either the coolant sensor, or the chain has stretched.

Dangerous Dave · 23 Jan 2019 at 19:33

mjt said:
I dunno. She bought the thing for £2275 over 4 years ago so I think it's had a pretty good innings!

What's it worth? £900 on Gumtree with "electrical fault"? (mechanic reckons that maybe it's the ECU)......
FWIW she should probably find a new mechanic.

EDIT- so it doesn't start when the engine is warm. Will start fine when cold, but if you turn it off when warm it won't start again.
So either the coolant sensor, or the chain has stretched.

Very common fault for the chain guides to go and cause the chain to be slack I would bet it is this. You know the garage don't have a clue when they start saying a fault with the ECU for random starting issues, a faulty coolant temperature is easy to check.

mjt · 23 Jan 2019 at 19:54

Dangerous Dave said:
Very common fault for the chain guides to go and cause the chain to be slack I would bet it is this. You know the garage don't have a clue when they start saying a fault with the ECU for random starting issues, a faulty coolant temperature is easy to check.

TBF I believe he did say it could be the chain at the beginning. But yes, I suspect he's just saying random things at this point

Dogbreath · 24 Jan 2019 at 12:34

mjt said:
(mechanic reckons that maybe it's the ECU)

Pretty much confirms the guy is clueless, go elsewhere for you car maintenance.

Firestar_3x · 24 Jan 2019 at 12:36

Change the CTS costs less than £10 if you do it yourself.

Gaygle · 24 Jan 2019 at 12:39

Dangerous Dave said:
You know the garage don't have a clue when they start saying a fault with the ECU for random starting issues

So true.

I'm not a mechanic, but from my experience the vast majority of ECU's at fault are as a result of water ingress and the car is rendered dead dead.

mjt · 27 Jan 2019 at 23:19

Apparently CTS was replaced recently. Whatever, not my problem!
So what’s this scrap-value 2004 97,000-mile Polo worth?

She’s put it up for £500 but I can’t imagine anyone will bite given it doesn’t start when warm.
Stretched chain is game over surely?

Gaygle · 27 Jan 2019 at 23:48

mjt said:
Apparently CTS was replaced recently. Whatever, not my problem!
So what’s this scrap-value 2004 97,000-mile Polo worth?

She’s put it up for £500 but I can’t imagine anyone will bite given it doesn’t start when warm.
Stretched chain is game over surely?

Timing chain replacement should only be about £4-500

mjt · 28 Jan 2019 at 00:10

Gaygle said:
Timing chain replacement should only be about £4-500

On a car worth £500

Tax runs out on Thursday as well. Time for the scrappy if no offers. Unless someone on here wants it for a couple hundred notes? North London if interested..