VW Up Timing Issues: Power Loss & Engine Warning Signs

I dealt with very similar symptoms on my 2016 VW Polo last year. With some basic car maintenance experience, I initially thought it was a timing belt issue, but it turned out to be the crank sensor. The symptoms matched exactly what you describe, engine light came on, poor acceleration, and the engine felt out of sync. The diagnostic codes also suggested timing-related problems. After taking it to a workshop, they confirmed the crankshaft position sensor had failed. This sensor is crucial for engine synchronization and timing. The total repair cost was 340€, including parts and labor. The fix took about 2 hours. Before jumping to conclusions about the timing chain, getting the sensor checked first makes sense as its a common and less expensive issue. To help further, could you share: Current mileage on your Up? When did these symptoms first appear? Does the engine make any unusual noises? Have you noticed any oil consumption issues? What specific error codes did your scan show? This information would help determine if your case matches what I experienced or if there might be other factors to consider.

Thanks for sharing your experience. My Up has 52177km and had its last service 3 months ago. The symptoms match what you described with your sensor issue. No unusual noises from the engine, and oil levels remain normal. The scan showed P0016 which relates to crankshaft-camshaft correlation. Good to hear it might just be a sensor problem rather than a timing chain issue. The repair cost sounds reasonable, was the cam sensor replaced along with the crank sensor in your case? Just want to make sure I budget correctly for potential parts.

Thanks for those details. In my case with the Polo, they actually ended up replacing both the crankshaft and camshaft sensors together. The mechanic explained that since these sensors work in tandem to maintain proper engine timing, replacing both at once is often recommended when one fails. The P0016 code you got is exactly what I had, its specifically about the reference value between the crankshaft and camshaft positions. Your mileage is pretty close to when mine failed at 55000km. The total cost breakdown for my repair was: Crankshaft sensor: 120€, Camshaft sensor: 110€, Labor: 110€ One tip from my experience: make sure they check the wiring harness connecting these sensors. Sometimes the wiring can be the culprit rather than the sensors themselves. My mechanic found some minor corrosion on the connectors that they cleaned up during the repair. Since your symptoms and diagnostic codes match mine so closely, and considering your Up has similar mileage, I really think youre looking at the same sensor issue I had. The timing chain usually shows more severe symptoms like rattling noises, which youre not experiencing.

Thanks everyone for the helpful insights. Based on all the feedback, I'm going to book my Up in for a sensor check next week. The matching symptoms, especially that P0016 code and similar mileage when the issue occurred, make me feel more confident its likely a sensor problem rather than a timing chain issue. Will have them check both the crank sensor and cam sensor, plus inspect the wiring harness as suggested. The 340€ total repair cost seems reasonable for both sensors and labor. Really relieved its probably not a more serious timing chain problem. I appreciate how comprehensive the responses were about the engine synchronization issues. Will update once I get it fixed to confirm if it was indeed the same sensor problem you experienced. Thanks again for helping me narrow down the likely cause.