Hey, don't fret, I had an eerie similarity with my 2017 Seat Leon Cupra. I'm not a car guru, only got some hands-on experience, but let me share my twopence. Mine was making the same groggy noises and jerking like some mechanical rodeo ride! Took it to my local guy, good ole reliable Jimmy. He found out the valve servomotor was faulty, causing the ruckus. Got it replaced and it ran me about 405 Euro. Make sure to take down the VIN, mileage, and any error codes before you pop into your workshop. More info helps them help you alleviate the trouble quicker. Can you confirm some specifics about your Tarraco, model, mileage, weird error messages, and so on? This info might help us pinpoint your issue easier. Cheers!

Hey, I appreciate you taking the time to reply. In terms of my Tarraco details, it's racked up about 175986km on it. Last service was a few months back. Not too sure about the error codes, but I'll do a diagnostic and update it here. Haven't had any odd error messages pop up except for the check engine light though. Your input helps a lot and I'll definitely check up on the valve servomotor. You've given me some good pointers and I'll make sure to pass them on to my local workshop. Cheers!

Hey there! I'm glad to hear you found the input helpful. That mileage though, your Tarraco is definitely getting quite the workout! Given the symptoms you mentioned and the mileage, a couple of things come to my mind. It could be a worn-out timing chain or the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) system. The VVT system controls the opening and closing of the intake valves, and if it's malfunctioning, it could cause symptoms like unstable engine performance, engine noise, and other issues. It could also contribute to poor fuel economy as the VVT also optimizes engine performance based on driving conditions. Usually, metal shavings in the oil point towards this kind of issue, cause they're a telltale sign of metal-on-metal contact which isn't normal. This could be due to a worn-out timing chain causing slack and making the camshaft valves to bang against the lifters, creating metal shavings. All said, your situation might be different though! No two problems are the same, there isn't one-size-fits-all. Your best bet would be having your shop check the VVT and timing chain, along with the camshaft adjustment that you initially suspected. And psst...don't be shy to ask them questions! Most mechanics are more than willing to explain what's going on if you're interested. When ya know more, you feel more at ease. Keep me posted on what they find. I'm curious now! Good luck and fingers crossed for an easy fix.

Thanks again for the detailed response! I'm taking everything you've said on board. Your advice on the VVT system and timing chain is a gem. I wasn't aware the issues might be linked with metal shavings in the oil. Now I can't wait to get my problem sorted out with the workshop and armed with all this knowledge you've given means I can ask the right questions. And definitely, I'll keep you posted about their findings and the solution. Let's hope there will be no more surprises. Appreciate your help! Cheers!