Fabia Mk1 VRS - Main dealer has stripped sump plug thread during routine service and is denying responsibility. Is the sump pan prone to this problem?

For some reason I dont understand I am not able to post this question on the Fabia or Technical forums.

It does happen from time to time, usually if a new sump plug is not used at each oil change, or if it's been over torqued at some point. New sump needed.

If that dealer has always serviced the car then it's their fault.

The full fix solution will be a new sump.

Depends on mileage, eventually they do wear out but as said normally the bung hasnt been replaced or overtightened before this service.

Same as the above comments really, but talking from experience i have done it on my fabia, thaught "ohh the old sump plug will be fine" put it in and it threaded striaght away. Depends how bad its threaded it could be sorted with the correct tools

If it needs a new sump i did mine for 60 quid brand new including sump plug. Not a big job aslong as you know how to use an allen key , jack and axle stands.

THEY SHOULD RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, unless they claim it was threaded when they took it out.

Hope it gets sorted

Same thing has happened to me today on a Fabia VRS which is just under 5 years old. It has always been serviced by the same main Skoda dealer but they are denying all responsibility as they say they have always followed Skoda's procedure in removing and refitting a new plug each time and have used properly calibrated torque wrench to tighten to Skoda's specification. They say I should take it up with Skoda but don't think I will get any satisfaction. Does anyone else have any experience or knowledge of such events? Thanks

If you bought it off the skoda dealer that did the servicing, just remind them that goods have an expected reasonable life and if they are not responsible for the damage, then the car must have been not "of reasonable quality".

I'm not saying go to court, but reminding them of their obligations doesn't hurt.

The sump thread should last forever if proper service guidelines are followed. It fails because it's an alloy sump and steel plug. Bad design IMHO, the sump should have a steel insert.

The cheapest option is to 'heli coil' the sump plug hole. This inserts a stainless steel thread into the aluminium sump. The damaged thread needs to be drilled out to the requied tapping size, the new thread is tapped out and the insert screwed in.

This can be done with the sump in place, but all the swarf need to be retreived.

If you bought it off the skoda dealer that did the servicing, just remind them that goods have an expected reasonable life and if they are not responsible for the damage, then the car must have been not "of reasonable quality".

I'm not saying go to court, but reminding them of their obligations doesn't hurt.

Thanks for feedback. I have already taken it up with skoda customer services - friendly enough but ultimately of no assistance. Am currently pursuing complaint through Motorcodes (what was SMMT). Still very doubtful about the outcome despite exclusive servicing by the same garage and car only 4 months out of warranty. I would consider court claim if i thought I wouldnt be further out of pocket.

I should point out I'm not a lawyer, so don't take my thoughts as gospel.

Personally I'd speak to CAB and get them to show you the law on goods being of a suitable quality.

Then take a copy of that to the dealer, along with a letter writing all your points down and see what they will do.

As far as I see it there are two options for the cause of the damage since one dealer has done all the servicing.

1) Dealer failed to follow guidelines and have cause the damage.

2) The car was not of a good quality as the sump should not (IMHO) fail on a car less than 6 years old.

I think getting the CAB advice on this along with any assistance they can give you with the letter will help you get your desired outcome.

I have to say, I don't think much of your dealers logic.

They will surely make the money back on the service, but if they don't get your business again because of this they will lose far more than the cost of a new sump.

Edited 18 August, 201015 yr by cheezemonkhai

I also took it up with Skoda customer services who offered, without much pushing, to pay 50% of the cost of the sump including labour. While I have accepted this I said that I was unhappy with this and feel I should not have to pay anything.

I agree with cheezemonkhai that it is the dealer who is liable as they sold me the car in October 2006 and have been the only ones who have serviced it since (and they should claim from Skoda as appropriate).

I have agreed with the dealer that I will formally put my complant in writing to them and they will reply. I will then decide if it is worth pursuing with Trading Standards.

hi new to the forum and just going through things ,anyway im a mechanic and work for ford this engine is in the galaxy and we do alot of vag cars etc,there really common for stripping the threads and not going tight, two options heli-coil like was said above,we have some one come in who does it for 50quid or a new sump but heli-coil if not is stronger than the original thread anyway hope this helps.

Had the same problem on my octy afew years back , and that was between 2 dealers ie first one serviced it then 12 months latter went to another dealer , who had the bolt problem . I stood my ground , as far as i was concerned they are the experts approved mechanics , if it goes wrong down to them , thats what i pay for with a dealer service . In the end First dealer re did the sump replacement and the second dealer paid for it at cost . Remember its at cost to the dealer an hours work and at cost parts . Remind him they are the dealers and authorised service agents , if they break it , they mend it . Give him grief , its not going to cost any more .

Hi this is my first time on this forum ( just thought id let you know that). anyhow im about to do the same thing to my fabia mk 1 sdi, as some useless tool in the past had overtightend my sump nut, can anybody tell me if you have to drop the exhaust front pipe first, thanks in advance for your anticipated help guys.

Hi this is my first time on this forum ( just thought id let you know that). anyhow im about to do the same thing to my fabia mk 1 sdi, as some useless tool in the past had overtightend my sump nut, can anybody tell me if you have to drop the exhaust front pipe first, thanks in advance for your anticipated help guys.

 

 

If the exhaust manifold is on the rear of the engine then no you won't need to touch the exhaust

Yeah mine recently got cross threaded by a complete oik doing the service! (me). So out with the old sump and in with the new, job done. And yes, its very common!