Diesel engines fix recall

[CWARD]

Ask that their master tech Shaun is the person who works on your car. He's a very capable chap.

Last time it was in for service I had asked for them to check the oil temp sensor was activated. Came back to tell me it was faulty and would £195 plus fitting. Also my front discs were warped. Neither were true as the oil temp sensor was switched off and later activated with VCDS, the discs were also true and nearly a year later no sign of any warping.

If Shaun is the master tech, I hope it was his day off and wouldn't be letting his staff try such blatant rip off tactics.

[James@RRG_Skoda_Rochdale]

They had 3 and they work a split shift rota. He's now their only MT, he's a decent guy but I can't comment on his colleagues.

[meta55b]

Is there any way that you can find out your car has been giving the up-date. Mines has not long had a service, the engine has a totally different characteristic.

[CWARD]

Shaun and yourself may well be decent guys doing the job right. Unfortunately many Skoda dealers and VAG as a whole have left a lot of distrust with their customers. I can see many not wanting the fix simply because they can't trust the statements that have been released, it's going to take independent testing of a car both before and after the fix for it to be taken up widely. VAG have lost this trust from their customers and keeping the cards very close to their chest on this one isn't helping the cause. Personally after this car I will not be havng a VAG car again even though I've had no major issues with this one.

[James@RRG_Skoda_Rochdale]

Is there any way that you can find out your car has been giving the up-date. Mines has not long had a service, the engine has a totally different characteristic.

Any dealer SHOULD explain what's being done beforehand then make you sign the task off. If you ring your local dealer and give them your chassis number they can check if the fix has been applied.

[James@RRG_Skoda_Rochdale]

Shaun and yourself may well be decent guys doing the job right. Unfortunately many Skoda dealers and VAG as a whole have left a lot of distrust with their customers. I can see many not wanting the fix simply because they can't trust the statements that have been released, it's going to take independent testing of a car both before and after the fix for it to be taken up widely. VAG have lost this trust from their customers and keeping the cards very close to their chest on this one isn't helping the cause. Personally after this car I will not be havng a VAG car again even though I've had no major issues with this one.

Sadly this is very true mate. I've dedicated my entire career to this trade and the VW group. I'm one of their factory trained MTs, worked for them on various brands for over a decade, received an advanced engineering award from the IMI and I stick my neck on the line to defend them but they do indeed employ people who just don't give a damn.

Some people turn up to work and do a job, some people turn up and do a good job, I represent the minority of technicians in the latter part of that statement.

[meta55b]

Any dealer SHOULD explain what's being done beforehand then make you sign the task off. If you ring your local dealer and give them your chassis number they can check if the fix has been applied.

Ok cheers, will give them a phone on Monday.

[anthoney]

Any dealer SHOULD explain what's being done beforehand then make you sign the task off. If you ring your local dealer and give them your chassis number they can check if the fix has been applied.

 Great post and i totaly agree its a simple case of how good the mech is at the dealership  i am a ex mech still do all my own fixes but ive known guys who shuldent be trusted witha spanner and some that are amazing and realy know thwere stuff its the luck of the draw  my own local dealership on first  looks and contac i think they know less than me re my skoda and i never owned one before now im very happy with my car

by all that i read only the owners of cars can decide what is best for them and as i agree it depends on how much you trust your local dealer

 

sorry to rant on just my two pennys worth

all the best Anthoney

[kit]

Has anyone in Ireland had a recall letter yet? My motor was in for a service about three months ago and now drives like a sick dog... the dealer has said that nothing has been done to it by way of flash update!!

 

K

[QuentinG]

All very interesting to read, was wondering as I have not had a letter for many months. I was already sceptical and since my 1.6 TDI goes really well and is very economical, I won't be heeding the recall.

 

The car is looked after by a Citroen specialist with a VAG trained chap on the staff and they seem very capable with the diagnostics.

[Cactusjack]

Had a letter for my CR VRS this morning, basically stating that they are still working on a fix for my specific vehicle and expect to release the info by the end of the year and implement the mod, continuing into 2017.

[pikpilot]

Had a letter for my CR VRS this morning, basically stating that they are still working on a fix for my specific vehicle and expect to release the info by the end of the year and implement the mod, continuing into 2017.

I had the same letter for my 1.6L CR.

[blackspaven]

Sadly this is very true mate. I've dedicated my entire career to this trade and the VW group. I'm one of their factory trained MTs, worked for them on various brands for over a decade, received an advanced engineering award from the IMI and I stick my neck on the line to defend them but they do indeed employ people who just don't give a damn.

Some people turn up to work and do a job, some people turn up and do a good job, I represent the minority of technicians in the latter part of that statement.

And that's the problem you're gonna have on here as many have been stung by morons!

 

When choosing which car to buy, the salesman at the Cranleigh Skoda dealership didn't even know how the sunroof worked!! Opened it just over halfway where the dial stops and when I questioned he said (for that read guessed!!), 'yes, that's as far as it opens', so I decided to look in the handbook and without saying anything I looked at him whilst I opened it the rest of the way. No answer, just an embarrassed look.

[Vegasphil]

I checked mine Yesterday with the skoda service department when collecting my car. No recall work carried out yet and need to wait for more letters.

They said they would let me know before any work was carried out.

[Blaven]

Just had the second letter from Skoda (to say they hadn't forgotten about me and sort of urging patience)!

 

Personally I'm in no hurry, car works fine as you'd expect. I'd be reassured if the dealerships were told to print out the relevant figures for one's car before any update, and after,

 

In the event of any subsequent dispute about altered performance characteristics leading to problems, such information could be useful in the right hands.

 

I suppose by now many cars have passed through dealers' hands. Have there been any proven problems?

[James@RRG_Skoda_Rochdale]

Just had the second letter from Skoda (to say they hadn't forgotten about me and sort of urging patience)!

Personally I'm in no hurry, car works fine as you'd expect. I'd be reassured if the dealerships were told to print out the relevant figures for one's car before any update, and after,

In the event of any subsequent dispute about altered performance characteristics leading to problems, such information could be useful in the right hands.

I suppose by now many cars have passed through dealers' hands. Have there been any proven problems?

What kind of info would you like to see provided?

[Dave3283]

Can anyone advise what happens if you are the recent second owner? 

I have checked my VIN on the Skoda website and it states that My car requires the recall.

I bought it from a Skoda dealer as a Skoda approved vehicle and there was no mention that it had been done or would require it it the future and I have got to admit I forgot to ask as I kind of assumed it would have already been done.

I assume the previous owner received the letter, which may have prompted them to trade in although the story I got was downsizing to a Fabia.

Should the dealership have carried this out prior to me picking it up? Not that I am sure I want it carrying out.

The car is booked in for a couple of small issues that are covered by the warranty in a weeks time, will they request to do it then?

Or will nothing happen until Skoda realize I'm the new owner and send me the letter? I am hoping this is the answer so that I have a chance to research peoples experiences before I decide especially as I intend on a remap once the warranty is up.

[James@RRG_Skoda_Rochdale]

We're doing 2 a day now it's been rolled out on the superb, Octavia and Yeti 2.0 tdi cr and we haven't had a single justified complaint about the update.

I even asked our local Bosch/beissbarth engineer who was one of the first people to have his done and he said he thinks it feels better than before and even saw a very minute improvement in fuel economy.

We have had plenty of "since you did the software update" faults though.

Thus far:

"My fans kick in all the time" - turned out they had the air con on and didn't usually use it so didn't know it used the fans...

"It's lost power and the coil light came on" - the EGR was faulty prior to the update but they declined the work then tried to imply that we were to blame despite the fault being preset for over 6 months prior to the update (ODIS reads and records everything!)...

"It's lost power and the dpf lights have come on" - the dpf had been removed and the Ecu remapped to suit, he decided not to tell us then the update subsequently wiped the map...

And finally "the dogs died, the wife's left me and I've got a speeding fine..."

[CWARD]

Dave, as a second owner you still get notified as the details are coming from DVLA. have you moved home since buying the car?

[Blaven]

What kind of info would you like to see provided?

Presumably, James, the NO emissions would have been altered at a given RPM at operating temperature. If an improving procedure cannot be measured, how does one know if its effective? Or am I talking rubbish? I'm happy to be corrected.

 

You see, what worries me as a pensioner who bought an ex-demonstrator Scout in 2011, hoping for at least 10 years relatively trouble-free motoring and maybe longer is the thought that this fix may make things worse. Maybe it will, maybe it won't, but I live in a part of the world where the expertise to sort complex automotive problems is thin on the ground. My experience with an Arnold Clark dealership locally was not a happy one.

[Dave3283]

Hi CWARD,No I only just picked up the car on the 6th October and just received the log book in my name the other day which prompted me to check the VIN online.

That's good to know that I will get the letter.

Hi James@RRGRochdale thank you for the feedback, that is reassuring to know.

Do you think the dealership should have done mine prior to delivery? Or is it a case of once the letter arrives it's up to the owner?

My thoughts are that technically while the car was for sale the dealership "owned" the car so an ideal time to complete the recall, and possibly even a selling point for some, so I can't see why it would not be done.

However as I said no mention ( but in their defense I did not ask) I will be bringing it up when the car is back in for Warrenty work next week.

Does anyone know if I decline the recall will it affect the Warrenty I have?

Has any one had the recall and then had a custom Remap done else where after?

If so where the any issues?

Edited 21 October, 2016 by Dave3283

[KenONeill]

How do you "prove a negative"?

 

"You've changed your driving style", "you've started using the AC" (this is known to have happened)...

[Rooted]

Dave3283,

Was this a Skoda Approved Used car you bought with a Warranty provided from Skoda?

 

So was the car not due a service and never got one done?

Just Checks and workshop checks, no service?

 

They gave you a warranty and there are no term and conditions on having 'The Fix done'.

& if they never had their trained and qualified technicians do it then obviously they consider it not necessary.

You just need to service the vehicle to the Service Schedule / Guidelines as per The Warranty T&C's.

 

Best check out your cars servicing and warranty record though. Before you were sold a 'Skoda Approved Used Car'.

If that is what you bought.

(Do you have the Warranty Paperwork, T&C's etc?)

 

PS

?

What kind of warranty work is it going in for, and was this from being picked up on at the 'Workshop Checks'., 

or after collection and by you?

A non Factory Approved Engine Management will void your Warranty on the engine according to the T&C's.

So that is a Remap if you get one,

strangely it is also the Car as is with the Warranty because VW are saying they never knew about the Illegal Defeat Device and even that that was not illegal in Europe,.

 

EDIT.

Sorry i see now it is a Skoda Approved Used Car.

Edited 21 October, 2016 by Offski

[Vegasphil]

Dave I started getting letters. The previous seller gave me a copy of the letter he had received and then SUK sent me one a couple of weeks later anyway.

[Dave3283]

Hi Offski,

Yeah, car is Skoda approved used with Skoda Warrenty.

It was serviced and MOT'ed by the dealership prior to my collection.

The Warrenty work it is going in for is the alarm siren not working when the alarm activates found after collection and the coolant warning has come on twice the second time due to low coolant level with in a week of collection.

I have topped up the coolant and had no problems since so I think it may have been an over looked fluid check but it's getting a pressure check and they will scan for fault codes for the sensor.

I have the full service record (book stamped) and the printout that shows each time the car was in at a skoda dealer and type of work carried out although no specific details but I assume I could ask for that.

The only recall showing on the print out was from 2011 a year into my cars life which I assume was prior to the emissions recall. The oly other work showing is a warranty repair in 2012 and a repair in 2015 ( I have an invoice for front dampers replaced after an MOT advisory completed at the time the repair is shown on the print out) all other entries are for the services and cambelt change carried out.

With regard to the remap I am not going to get this done until the 12 months Warrenty I recieved is up so this would not be a problem.

I'm more interested in the experiences of someone who has had the recall then gone on to have a remap done by a 3rd party tuner and if there were any issues because they had recall done I.E. less power achieved going from the recall map to the custom map vs a car that has not had the recall receiving a custom map.

Or will it not matter as the custom map will overide everything the recall has done in the same way James mentioned for the customer that had the dpf mapped out.

This is were my questions regarding Warrenty come in which I think you are saying if I don't have the recall done this will not affect the Warrenty I have.

For me the main reason for getting the recall done would be to keep any Warrenty intact in the first 12 months.

Edited 21 October, 2016 by Dave3283