Don't worry chaps, Skoda throughly test their cars in all different climates over many thousands of miles.

If your alternator needs a cover it'll have one. If it doesn't it won't.

I really hope you're right!

Don't worry chaps, Skoda throughly test their cars in all different climates over many thousands of miles.

If your alternator needs a cover it'll have one. If it doesn't it won't.

Trouble is we don't know whether it should or shouldn't have a cover as some cars have it and others don't. It's the variability that's the issue.

Trouble is we don't know whether it should or shouldn't have a cover as some cars have it and others don't. It's the variability that's the issue.

That's true, and there doesn't seem to be a pattern either.

Well I think I would sooner have it until we know for sure.

Edited 30 September, 201213 yr by Crista

They say the best time for ideas is first thing in the morning. Well it came to me while lying in bed after wakening. I may know what that seemingly separate plastic part covering the alternator is. I promise to be totally honest when I tell what came to me, but if possible, I would like an official source, coming from the so called horses mouth, to say what it's purpose is first.

Disclaimer: It may be better NOT to have than to have it.

Edited 1 October, 201213 yr by Liam2

Looked at the Cititgo's in my dealer this pm. None had the 'cover'.

Checked in the parts dept listings and it is not shown as a separate part either, only the complete plastic frame known as a 'lock carrier D' and the diagram is not clear enough to see if it incorporates the 'cover' or not as it is shown from the nearside. However, there are two lock carriers listed - ISO 805 588 D and F. D is shown as >> - 24.10.2012 and F is shown as >> - 25.10.2011. I am advised that F now supersedes D despite the dates not following! Very clear ain't it :-(.

Looked at the Cititgo's in my dealer this pm. None had the 'cover'.

Checked in the parts dept listings and it is not shown as a separate part either, only the complete plastic frame known as a 'lock carrier D' and the diagram is not clear enough to see if it incorporates the 'cover' or not as it is shown from the nearside. However, there are two lock carriers listed - ISO 805 588 D and F. D is shown as >> - 24.10.2012 and F is shown as >> - 25.10.2011. I am advised that F now supersedes D despite the dates not following! Very clear ain't it :-(.

Heroic effort

Thank you!

Great research Cortina!

Just another thought on the subject - all the on-line parts listings now relate to your actual vehicles VIN no. So the parts list information I quoted yesterday were for my Elegance 75PS Greentech, which did not have the cover.

Until such time as we have a definitive answer (which does seem a long time coming!), any owner who does have the cover could do as I did and see if the cover is shown as a separate item in their cars parts listings.

Thanks for that information. I wasn't aware of that. I'll check mine when I get it in the next week or so. Tomorrow I will check the demonstrator I am driving. Where is the vin number to be found on the Citigo....on a plate under the hood? It's dark at present

Tha VIN number is viewable in a small window in the black area on the lower part of the windscreen. I think it's on the nearside, but it's hammering down with rain here, so I will check and let you know tomorrow!

However, you only have to give your registration number to the parts department staff and they can access the parts list applicable from that info.

Edited 2 October, 201213 yr by CortinaGT

Tha VIN number is viewable in a small window in the black area on the lower part of the windscreen. I think it's on the nearside, but it's hammering down with rain here, so I will check and let you know tomorrow!

However, you only have to give your registration number to the parts department staff and they can access the parts list applicable from that info.

It seems it is possible to check car info here http://www.vin-decoder.net/vin_TMBZZZAAZCD603525 by entering the VIN number. There is a small fee. Since I am driving a demonstrator I am not going to bother until I get our own in about a week.

Ok, referring to my post above, I can't hold my patience any longer . I think the plastic piece covering the alternator in some cars is a temporary shield put in place to protect the alternator during a spray treatment of the front of the engine, and should have been removed later. When I looked down into the engine compartment at the remaining shield I though that the contour around the outline of the alternator looked like the finished article. I think the dimple in the alternator piece is just to allow some pressure against the body of the alternator to hold the piece in place. It might seem therefor, that the dimple is pressed up against the alternator, and this might not be good due to heat.

Anyone got a better idea or knowledge?

"Spray treatment"

Of what? just curious on your thoughts about this, in fact I'm may go take a look at mine shortly as I'm off out anyway.

Mick

"Spray treatment"

Of what? just curious on your thoughts about this, in fact I'm may go take a look at mine shortly as I'm off out anyway.

Mick

Well Mick I'm surmising that the front side of the engine is given some sort of black finish at a late stage.

I've had a good look at this now and can't really say why some have the black plastic shield and some not. Only assuming it's been dropped at some point in assembly.

Mine has the shield and it sits forward and above a more substantial black plastic shield/guard. Observing the position of the latter shield/guard it looks as if it would provide adequate protection against the elements for the alternator. The additional shield which is on mine is loose fitting and looks like it just clips in place. There is no way it can be removed without taking the front of the car away. I don't really think the alternator would get unduly hot with this extra shield in place, there's plenty of space around it for airflow, only time will tell.

Those missing the shield though need to ask why, it could be an oversight, a recall maybe?

Mick

How is it secured at the top Mick? I get the impression that it is located in behind the top contoured portion of the bottom substantial section. Does the dimple lie against something, perhaps to provide forward pressure to secure the piece against the bottom large section? Does it touch the alternator at all? Without asking you to unsettle it, does it seem like it might be flexible enough to remove by manipulation? To me it comes across as a temporary installation for some purpose, or a design modification added later. Maybe it is removable to allow access under some circumstances?

Surely some dealer, or Skoda industry member monitoring the forum could clear up the mystery.

Doesn't touch the alternator at all and there is a pipe running down in front of the said shield and alternator, aircon pipe maybe. It started raining when I looked earlier, I'll take some pics of it tomorrow. It does move slightly when pushed but I don't want to push to hard incase it becomes dislodged, looks like a PITA to get at if so. Can't really get my head in there to look properly either as the parts are under the front slam panel, mirror required.

At this point my missus says, what's up with the car? I say nothing, she says well ****** leave it alone then.

Women, they don't understand, do they.

Mick

Edited 3 October, 201213 yr by MickA

Doesn't touch the alternator at all and there is a pipe running down in front of the said shield and alternator, aircon pipe maybe. It started raining when I looked earlier, I'll take some pics of it tomorrow. It does move slightly when pushed but I don't want to push to hard incase it becomes dislodged, looks like a PITA to get at if so. Can't really get my head in there to look properly either as the parts are under the front slam panel, mirror required.

At this point my missus says, what's up with the car? I say nothing, she says well ****** leave it alone then.

Women, they don't understand, do they.

Mick

Haha

Doesn't touch the alternator at all and there is a pipe running down in front of the said shield and alternator, aircon pipe maybe. It started raining when I looked earlier, I'll take some pics of it tomorrow. It does move slightly when pushed but I don't want to push to hard incase it becomes dislodged, looks like a PITA to get at if so. Can't really get my head in there to look properly either as the parts are under the front slam panel, mirror required.

At this point my missus says, what's up with the car? I say nothing, she says well ****** leave it alone then.

Women, they don't understand, do they.

Mick

Magic lol , my wife says its had an mot why does it need a service doh, car should be ok its got a mot lol

At least my wife admits "they don't need another nutter on the roads" when I try and get her to take driving lessons.

Mick

At least my wife admits "they don't need another nutter on the roads" when I try and get her to take driving lessons.

Mick

Haha now lets get thread back on topic

Ok back on topic - am finding all this beyond credibility that the designer of the car hasn't been able to answer whether it should be there or not. I don't believe for one minute that the Alternator will ever overheat with the cover in place - those type of components will stand way more than the heat that is available there and if its the re-gen duties that are in question then it must be running close to the edge anyway - but don't believe that either. Strip all the theories and thoughts out of the way and go back to how this all started. Some cars have got the cover and some haven't - there is no obvious pattern and the cover will definitely provide more protection for the alternator. To come out of the factory like this has to be a quality control issue. When my car turns up, if it has a cover I will drive it away and forget all about it. If it doesn't then I will expect an explanation as I have already asked the question.

Ok back on topic - am finding all this beyond credibility that the designer of the car hasn't been able to answer whether it should be there or not. I don't believe for one minute that the Alternator will ever overheat with the cover in place - those type of components will stand way more than the heat that is available there and if its the re-gen duties that are in question then it must be running close to the edge anyway - but don't believe that either. Strip all the theories and thoughts out of the way and go back to how this all started. Some cars have got the cover and some haven't - there is no obvious pattern and the cover will definitely provide more protection for the alternator. To come out of the factory like this has to be a quality control issue. When my car turns up, if it has a cover I will drive it away and forget all about it. If it doesn't then I will expect an explanation as I have already asked the question.

I wonder just how far up the line any queries have been sent. I agree that it looks like a quality control issue and that's why it is important to bring to the manufacturers notice. As 'ordinary' buyers we don't know whether it is recommended or not, or what is it's function. I reiterate, please, and entreat a Skoda trade person to pursue this on behalf of owners and prospective owners.