VW Amarok Timing Belt Causing Power Loss and High Fuel Use

Had similar symptoms with a 2019 VW Tiguan. The crankshaft position sensor was failing, causing timing issues between crankshaft and camshaft. The engine would lose power out of nowhere, especially during acceleration, and the check engine light kept flashing. The symptoms match your description, poor fuel economy and reduced power are classic signs of a failing crank sensor. This affects the engines ability to properly time fuel injection and spark timing. The repair involved replacing the crankshaft sensor and clearing the error codes. While not the most complex repair, its critical to fix promptly as incorrect timing can lead to serious engine damage or complete failure. The sensor itself is relatively small, but accessing it can be tricky depending on engine layout. If the timing chain is also worn, it could cause similar symptoms. Worth having both checked since the timing chain system plays a crucial role in engine operation. A misfire caused by incorrect timing will definitely increase fuel consumption. Recommend getting it diagnosed soon, these symptoms typically dont improve on their own and can lead to more expensive repairs if left unchecked.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I had almost identical issues with my Amarok last year, engine light blinking and significant power loss. The timing belt and associated components needed replacement, plus they found the crankshaft position sensor was giving readings outside the reference value. Wondering how much you ended up paying for the full repair work? In my case, I also had a persistent misfire even after the initial fix which required additional diagnostics. Did you experience any follow-up issues?

Thanks for the follow-up. Since fixing my sensor issue the car has been running perfectly. The mechanic confirmed the Crankshaft to camshaft reference value is now within spec, and I havent seen any engine light or misfire problems since. The total repair came to 340€ for replacing the defective crankshaft sensor. This was actually less than I expected given the symptoms. The sensor replacement resolved all timing-related issues and the fuel consumption returned to normal. I was lucky the problem was caught before it could cause more serious engine damage. The mechanic mentioned that prolonged timing issues can lead to valve damage or even complete engine failure. Unlike your case, I didnt need any additional work on the timing belt or further diagnostics for persistent misfires. Its worth noting that modern engines are quite sensitive to timing discrepancies, so even a slightly faulty cam sensor or crankshaft position sensor can trigger these symptoms. Regular diagnostic checks can help catch these issues early.

I took my Amarok to the mechanic yesterday after reading these replies. The diagnosis confirmed what others mentioned, faulty crank sensor and timing issues. Total bill came to 420€ including parts and labor. They replaced the sensor and performed a timing belt inspection while they were at it. The mechanic showed me the old sensor readings were way off the reference value, explaining why the engine light kept coming on. After the fix, power is back to normal and fuel economy has improved significantly. No more misfires or hesitation during acceleration. The whole repair took about 3 hours. Much better experience than my last mechanic visit, and the car feels like new again. Definitely worth getting it checked early before the timing issues could cause more serious engine damage.