55e 5 dr

Excellent small car BUT watchout for engine problems .

Bought polo 55e ( 3 cylinder) 1-2 in 2010 . Only 5 years old and low mileage , under 40K . No real problems except when it was serviced by a reputable , non vw dealer they advised me there was serious problems with 3 cylindwer polo's and i should get rid ( they had repaired 2 that month with same third cylinder fault and all low mileage) . Not wanting to believe just one garage i asked around about engine problems . A major vw parts supplier told me there was a known problem with timing chain tensioners becoming weak and allowing chain to jump , causing engine damage . Consequently i had a revised/improved chain fitted . 1 year on and the car broke down . RAC fault finder indicated a failure on number 3 cylinder .A Reputable local garage new of this fault . apparently the cylinder head has no valve guides ? . so on low mileage cars with little oil present on start up , there is exxessive wear of valve stem and aluminium head . Eventually the valve " picks up" on head and ECU shuts down that cylinder to prevent CAT damage .Once car has cooled , ie overnight , it starts and runs as normal with no engine light showing but breakdown will occur again but when ??,Lost all confidence in reliabillity as you dont know if you will get home , so spend £1000 plus or get rid . Reading the previous fault codes would tell you if your car has this problem . Im not very technical but sound feasable . Outcome is requirement of a NEW not recon cylinder head and this costs over £1000 ! . Any one else heard of this problem ? .

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