Jump to content

yowzah, something called an EGR, just cost me £1,100


Recommended Posts

Community,

 

I wasn't expecting that - £1,100. But, it was blocked apparently, this thing called an EGR, and causing the fluttery noise I'd reported to Silbury Skoda, when the car (2010 Octavia Scout) went in for its routine 70k service. £1,100!

 

"It's located in an awkward place", "it's a big job", "that will be £1,100" - as easy as that. Gee whiz, thank you very much, Skoda.

 

So, should this thing have failed, become blocked? The car is exactly six years old, 70k mileage - nothing exceptional? No previous advice had ever been given, the car was bought, and 100% serviced at Silbury Skoda, was it something I'd did?

 

Getting on to the likes of social media, it seems, I'm not the only one to have received an expensive surprise. I raised this with the dealer, that perhaps there was an issue here, and why it seemed like I was being unreasonably hit with a large bill for a component, that by rights, should really last the lifetime of the car. The only line I've had back, from the dealer, and from Skoda customer care is that, because my car is older than five years, there is no 'goodwill' to be had. End of. So much for being a loyal customer, it seems goodwill has its limits when the boot is on the other foot.

 

So, my questions are: am I being unreasonable to think that it's not o.k. for the EGR to block, and that it should actually last the lifetime of the car?

 

Given Skoda's stance that there is nothing they are willing to do, is there any form of recourse to hopefully recover my expense?

 

Oh, actually, Skoda did offer 50% off my next service. Ummmmmm, let me think about that.

 

x

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Wow!!!! Thats a big bill.. not sure what engine you have.. but changed the wifes egr and that was 150 for me to do it..

If its new type with egr valve on exhaust rather than on inlet its mixed with the cooler.. parts around 250 on ebay etc.. but. I would never expect 1100!!! Thats crazy money

This is why imdo my own work,.. never to a dealer..

My nan got quote 500 for a rear caliper, and 60 per headlight to buff them that took me less than a minuite

Edited by pistol pete82
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry, but that sounds ridiculous! £1,100? Have they carried out the work already? I wouldn't have been happy for them to just go ahead and replace without giving you a quote for the work first. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Official dealer prices eh!!!! Find a good local independent and ask them for a quote. All the work on my car is either done by myself, or by an independent. If you want the service record to have Skoda stamps in, have all servicing done there. That does not mean you can't get a new EGR fitted by somebody else who will certainly be cheaper. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You could have saved yourself £700 and just had it blanked off/mapped out, removing any future issues and giving you a better running car!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Obviously it's a common rail diesel because it's EGR is located in rather bad place and it takes some time to get to it and remove (something like 3 hours dealer said, if I remember correctly) But change it for such money - I think it's stealing even for UK prices.

LIke DarrellGB said, you could easy disable that for less money. Anyway that EGR has no use for you and you have no guarantee that it won't fail again (it's the answer to one of your questions - no, they don't last forever. They are very common to fail and in some cases rather often).

 

What can you do to prevent it from failing? Try not to drive like granny but drive it harder (at least sometimes). It's healthy for diesel cars. If it fails again - read post above (but you probably have some dealer warranty for 2 years or so).

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh my god.......that's having your pants right down !!!!,obviously a quiet day in the workshop so we'll give this guy a go.......your a member of one of the best forums out there,didn't you think to ask before rather than after ???

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

you should try an independent as I don't think you get much out of skoda uk in terms of goodwill these days as the whole VAG group is making massive losses due to emissions scandal.

 

I can recommend volksentre as they specialised in VAG cars only but I think it still won't be cheap to replace as it quite labour intensive to get access to the egr as it is tucked behind the engine on the the newer CR diesel engines.

 

http://www.volksentre.co.uk/services.htm

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was quoted about £800 and was told it was a bigger job than normal as the 4x4 drive train got in the way.


 


As the car had a FSH with a main dealer, 'Good Will' from Skoda UK for the part reduced the bill to labour plus VAT...About £600.


 


Car was 5 years old with about 80K on the clock.


Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

Community,

 

 

I wasn't expecting that - £1,100. But, it was blocked apparently, this thing called an EGR, and causing the fluttery noise I'd reported to Silbury Skoda, when the car (2010 Octavia Scout) went in for its routine 70k service. £1,100!

 

 

"It's located in an awkward place", "it's a big job", "that will be £1,100" - as easy as that. Gee whiz, thank you very much, Skoda.

 

 

So, should this thing have failed, become blocked? The car is exactly six years old, 70k mileage - nothing exceptional? No previous advice had ever been given, the car was bought, and 100% serviced at Silbury Skoda, was it something I'd did?

 

 

Getting on to the likes of social media, it seems, I'm not the only one to have received an expensive surprise. I raised this with the dealer, that perhaps there was an issue here, and why it seemed like I was being unreasonably hit with a large bill for a component, that by rights, should really last the lifetime of the car. The only line I've had back, from the dealer, and from Skoda customer care is that, because my car is older than five years, there is no 'goodwill' to be had. End of. So much for being a loyal customer, it seems goodwill has its limits when the boot is on the other foot.

 

 

 

So, my questions are: am I being unreasonable to think that it's not o.k. for the EGR to block, and that it should actually last the lifetime of the car?

 

Given Skoda's stance that there is nothing they are willing to do, is there any form of recourse to hopefully recover my expense?

 

Oh, actually, Skoda did offer 50% off my next service. Ummmmmm, let me think about that.

 

x

 

cheap supermarket fuel with no cleaning additives will cause gunk build up and egr blockages over a prolonged time ,try using one of the leading fuel brands even the basic diesel has cleaning additives injected at the refinery unlike supermarket stuff 

 

the prices sound right for a main dealer for your year of car as the egr is loacated at the back of the engine and it has the haldex 4x4 system as well and the cost of a service which if a major one is £249 on its own, 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

cheap supermarket fuel with no cleaning additives will cause gunk build up and egr blockages over a prolonged time ,try using one of the leading fuel brands even the basic diesel has cleaning additives injected at the refinery unlike supermarket stuff 

 

More myths. Are these cleaning additives able to continue cleaning once they have been combusted in the fuel turned into exhaust. Then after being turned into exhaust gases some of it re-routed to the air intake again to lower the oxygen content which reduces the combustion temperature and the Nox gases produced or at least it would if VAG hadn't fudged the software to cheat.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Administrators

Oh my god.......that's having your pants right down !!!!,obviously a quiet day in the workshop so we'll give this guy a go.......your a member of one of the best forums out there,didn't you think to ask before rather than after ???

 

:D Superb feedback +1 for that. The Original Poster (OP) is brand new to the community. I suspect after this encounter he found us out and asked retrospectively.

 

It's all to easy; done it myself, to take an experts statement of fact literally and pay for it. It might not be in motorcars, maybe aeroplanes, boats, walking shoes, suits...

 

We can only learn by experience and that's why I encourage and love this community.

 

To share this knowledge and encourage people to ask even the simplest of questions, for not everyone is an expert in all things.

 

/1100 - service = 700ish give or take service variations. That's not out of line with others experience. Obviously far more than DIY or independent. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

More myths. Are these cleaning additives able to continue cleaning once they have been combusted in the fuel turned into exhaust. Then after being turned into exhaust gases some of it re-routed to the air intake again to lower the oxygen content which reduces the combustion temperature and the Nox gases produced or at least it would if VAG hadn't fudged the software to cheat.

 

It's not the after cleaning of the exhaust gases that's the issue, it's the quality of the fuel being burnt. The reason EGR's block is because of soot particles. These are produced when the fuel is burnt and are recycled back into the engine via the EGR (which is before the DPF etc - if fitted), once in the EGR and the inlet the temperature drops considerably, causing the gas to mix with oil vapours from the turbo seals (yes they do leak slightly, even when new), blow by from the rings and also the crankcase breather system, which then condense on the inlet, EGR, valves etc forming a thick black sticky gunge which stops moving things from moving properly - hence the EGR then fails, usually in the open position. BY using decent fuel with quality additives added when it is refined, the problem is reduced, as there are fewer soot particles in the air system being recirculated into the engine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's not the after cleaning of the exhaust gases that's the issue, it's the quality of the fuel being burnt. The reason EGR's block is because of soot particles. These are produced when the fuel is burnt and are recycled back into the engine via the EGR (which is before the DPF etc - if fitted), once in the EGR and the inlet the temperature drops considerably, causing the gas to mix with oil vapours from the turbo seals (yes they do leak slightly, even when new), blow by from the rings and also the crankcase breather system, which then condense on the inlet, EGR, valves etc forming a thick black sticky gunge which stops moving things from moving properly - hence the EGR then fails, usually in the open position. BY using decent fuel with quality additives added when it is refined, the problem is reduced, as there are fewer soot particles in the air system being recirculated into the engine.

 

Yes, I have experience of an EGR failure, how messy the oily gunk is and how it prevents the valve from operating. What I dispute is that supermarket fuel is such poor quality. My last EGR failure was 10 years ago on low mileage diesel that new to me. After replacing the EGR it was run Morrison's then Tesco's finest diesel. No EGR problem with that car and was sold to a mate when it got to 150,000 miles. He was convinced it had an EGR problem when it went all sluggish. I removed the EGR valve to check and was surprised at how clean it was 120,000 miles later. The inlet manifold was just as clean. Problem with the engine running was down to a cheap fuel filter he had fitted when it was serviced.

I do use an annual fuel system cleaner, either BG244 or Archoil AR-6400d which works out at around £15 per year and lot less than using a leading brand fuels.

I still stand by the most common reason for EGR failure is the low exhaust flow in stop/start traffic which allows more time for the deposits to adhere to the EGR surfaces. This compounded with low annual mileage isn't what a diesel engine was intended for which causes other problems with DPF's.

 

This might be worth a read    and I think the tests that Fifth Gear did mirrored these findings.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

+1 for fuel variables making close to zero difference to soot production. That's down to more fundamental injection, gas composition, and temperature in the combustion chamber parameters.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

hobbes42 - Yes, the work has been done already, well, with busy lives, schedules, etc, and having left it until the service rather than being proactive, I didn't leave myself much choice other than to get it done there and then. Lesson learnt.

 

roaddetective - good point, again, being proactive is probably the key. Doh!

 

jevpls - If they are so common to fail, it makes you wonder why they're not more serviceable and located in an easier place to work on? 7 hours labour to change this thing out.

 

willy0329 - Can this really be down to the fuel? Skoda has never advised us on fuel, other than "it's a diesel". On our travels, we have used supermarket fuel for sure, but our local, and most common fuel stop was run by Total. And, now I've looked it up, it appears to be run by Co-operative Group, hmmm? We also have the option of BP, I might swap from now on.

 

ColinD - No, £1,100 was for the EGR, part and labour alone. Service was on top of that.

 

CWARD - noted on the annual fuel system cleaner. If this really is the difference, then I think Skoda should add this as part of the vehicle's annual service. After all, I get the car serviced to prevent any nasty surprises; why can't the EGR / fuel system be treated as a serviceable item?

 

I think it's Skoda's attitude that has riled me most: "the EGR is blocked, that's £1,100, thank you very much", no explanation, no advice. It is unfortunate, loyal customer, but at the same time, it is very good business for us - off you go, and see you next time when it blocks again.

 

Thank you, Briskoda community, for taking the time to reply.

 

x

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

 

I think it's Skoda's attitude that has riled me most: "the EGR is blocked, that's £1,100, thank you very much", no explanation, no advice. It is unfortunate, loyal customer, but at the same time, it is very good business for us - off you go, and see you next time when it blocks again.

 

Thank you, Briskoda community, for taking the time to reply.

 

x

 

 

Why not write them a letter and complaint to Skoda UK that you believe you have been ripped off, maybe even have a chat with your local trading standards. You never know and all you have to lose is the price of a stamp. they've already lost your business (I would hope), so whatever extra profit they've made this time will lose them in the long run.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

CWARD - noted on the annual fuel system cleaner. If this really is the difference, then I think Skoda should add this as part of the vehicle's annual service. After all, I get the car serviced to prevent any nasty surprises; why can't the EGR / fuel system be treated as a serviceable item?

 

 

Not quite so simple to service the EGR valve as the build happens over time and driving conditions. Fuel system clean I highly recommend though and if you do it once a year it's just a matter of pouring in a bottle before filling the tank, drive like Miss Daisy so it stays in the system as long as possible dissolving all the build ups and when you get to quarter of a tank fill up again and drive normally. 

Only problem is it raises the cetane level so the car feels pokier than usual and you always want to test the right pedal. 

 

Hopefully you won't have any more issues but if you're doing lots of short journeys then every so often stick it in a lower gear and run it high revs to ensure it's getting up to higher exhaust flows and the increase in temperature will allow the DPF to cycle correctly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Life is one big learning curve.

 

It was only a few years ago that Skoda UK would fall over themselves to offer goodwill gestures - all in an effort to establish the brand in the UK and help to dispel all of those Skoda jokes.

 

Times change, the Skoda brand continues to go from strength to strength and is one of the flagship arms of the VAG empire.

 

They no longer need to be so generous with their goodwill, they will continue to grow with or without me and you as loyal customers, hence the stricter adherence to the 5 year cut-off.

 

Skoda franchised main dealers continue to offer good value for money on routine servicing, £149 for a minor and £269 for a major is rarely beaten by independents unless well up north. These prices are generally fixed and advertised to be competitive.

 

It is the unusual jobs that you'll get stung on, such as a replacement EGR on a Haldex equipped model. The extra hourly labour rate versus the independents will soon add up.

 

The dealer will however have contacted you to advise you what needed doing and the cost to do it, you have accepted their quote and instructed them to do the work.

 

You could have rung around a few local garages, even other VW, SEAT and Skoda dealers for comparable quotes.

 

I appreciate we are all busy and prioritise things differently but the 30 minutes it would have taken to shop around would be worth the potential to save big money for me.

 

You haven't been ripped off, you simply haven't shopped around.

Edited by silver1011
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Is the Scout a CR or a PD ? mine is 2009 and PD and I am doing my inlet manifold and turbo at this very moment, and its a swine as its all at the back of the engine and you can only do it from above as the 4x4 drive stops you from below ! as well as the DPF being in the way ! cheers Stuart

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

jevpls - If they are so common to fail, it makes you wonder why they're not more serviceable and located in an easier place to work on? 7 hours labour to change this thing out.

 

It's business :)

Maybe you should read about EGR and wonder - do you really need that piece of crap? I certainly know that I don't but I have no choice - I can buy a car with one or I can go by foot...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It's business :)

Maybe you should read about EGR and wonder - do you really need that piece of crap? I certainly know that I don't but I have no choice - I can buy a car with one or I can go by foot...

 

The TSI petrol's don't have an EGR -  They use the variable valve timing to achieve this function

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

For petrol car EGR ain't that much of a problem. A friend of mine has got rather old petrol car and he was surprised that there was such thing in it. No problems in years...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I was told to make every 4th tank BP Ultimate Diesel and take it for a blast @ 70mph in 4th gear once a month to keep things clean.

 

Andrew 7243...

 

I bought ours new from Ingram Skoda, Ayr. It has a FSH with them, and was taken to Henry's Skoda Glasgow when the EGR went belly-up and put the car into 'Limp-home Mode'.

 

I had to speak to Henry's after the work was done, (I didn't know about 'Goodwill' at the time), and Henry's retrospectively contacted Skoda UK to ask for the 'Goodwill'; which consisted of the cost price of the replacement valve.

 

You should go back to Silbury and insist that they contact Skoda UK for a Goodwill contribution, and if they decline to do so, do it yourself and name and shame Silbury in the process.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My egr failed last july 8 months out of warranty at 64000 miles. Took it to Alex Lawrie in Liverpool on the off chance and without an appointment. They diagnosed it and fixed it on the same day. They also got a 100% parts contribution and 50% labour contribution off Skoda leaving me £236 to pay off an original quote of £980 for the job. I have a full Skoda service history from new which I was told made the difference.

Edited by djj777
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Community Partner

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to BRISKODA. Please note the following important links Terms of Use. We have a comprehensive Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.