Car wont start

[johannapam1]

Well, obviously I've got one of these as well, and I don't have an extended warranty and every penny would come out of my pocket, so I've been formulating a possible plan of action should the same scenario arise. I have a good friend who's an experienced VW mechanic, so would imagine it would go something like this. (Incidentally, I spoke to him last week and he pretty much confirms that the car does have a lift pump in the tank.)

1. Check for any fault codes with VagCom and take note of those.

2. If nothing shows, rig up a container with a couple of litres of diesel in it. Connect the outlet of the container to the inlet of the VP44, bleed air from the hose. Have the hose from the fuel filter going into the top of the container where I can see it.

3. VP44 now has fuel at inlet and some small head pressure, so safe to attempt to start engine.

4. If engine starts, and no fuel comes from fuel filter then lift pump or filter or low pressure lines at fault. Investigate lift pump and replace if required (£240).

5. If engine refuses to start and fuel flows from filter then VP44 at fault.

6. Remove VP44 and send to rebuild specialist to ascertain problem (Diesel Bob seems to have a pretty good reputation). If electronic module at fault then expect a bill in region of £400, if entire pump needs fixing, then expect bill in region of £700. If all else fails, buy a new pump from Euro Car Parts in region of £1400 (inc Vat).

7. Coding to car aparrently only needs to be done if second hand pump used. If not, I know a mate with full VagCom.

It would be a right nightmare to assume it was the VP44 and then find out that it was the lift pump!!

In the meantime, keep fingers crossed, hope it never happens and keep enjoying the car.

Just looked on Euro Car Parts web site out of curiosoty for the VP44 - but it says cannot order on line yet. Did you contact them for a price?

Is this Brand New?

How come the new one I am having is £2500 plus Vat?

[CRC]

No, I just looked on the web site and assumed that if the price was on there then they could get one, but I didn't phone as (thankfully) I don't need one yet.

There seems to be a thriving industry remanufacturing these VP44s. If you type VP44 into Ebay, there's an Austrian company advertising totally remanufactured pumps for £645, and my mechanic mate was talking that same sort of money for a replacement VP44 that failed on a high mileage Audi the other day.

It also seems that a lot of the failures are related to the electronics and the ribbon cable that connects it, and that is much cheaper to repair.

I think it's fair to assume that cost of a VP44 from Bosch to Skoda is nowhere near £2,500 .... if Euro Car Parts can get them and make a profit selling them at around £1200?

Let me give you a scenario .... your car doesn't start, you can't drive it away from the dealers, the (relatively cheap) lift pump has failed, it's all covered by the warranty company ..... do you get my drift?

Maybe I'm just becoming too cynical ........ maybe I should trust people more ..... and I may be totally wrong ....

[johannapam1]

AND I suppose you could be right also.

Drove past Dealer yesterday and car has moved so I assume it is in the garage being fixed and the cambelt etc. Will ring them today and ask for an update.

[johannapam1]

Car back now all working ok. Fuel pump covered by extended warranty ok.

Just as an aside I have a couple of alloy wheels and tyres for the Mk1 Skoda Superb Elegance 17".

Tyres are as good as new - alloys excellent also - any one interested would need to collect from Sittingbourne Kent.

Any offers?

[Gaz]

Car back now all working ok. Fuel pump covered by extended warranty ok.

Just as an aside I have a couple of alloy wheels and tyres for the Mk1 Skoda Superb Elegance 17".

Tyres are as good as new - alloys excellent also - any one interested would need to collect from Sittingbourne Kent.

Any offers?

Glad to hear it's sorted - what tyres are they and can I see a pic of the alloys please?

Ta

Gaz

[johannapam1]

Glad to hear it's sorted - what tyres are they and can I see a pic of the alloys please?

Ta

Gaz

Will be away now for New Year - will try to put pics up after hols next week - Tyre size is the normal V6 17x225x45.

[johannapam1]

Have now taken pics but how do I upload onto this site (Thread) for all to see.

One alloy and tyre are brand new never been used and the other alloy is in excellent condition (no scuffs) and tyre at least 50% if not more.

Tyres are Michelin Pilot Sport 225x45x17.

I fno reasonable offers - will put on Ebay.

[johannapam1]

Just sorted out putting pics on.

Please see attached.

[Gaz]

I've Pilots on the front but not on the back, so am certainly interested, but I've no idea of value, so what do you consider a reasonable offer?

Gaz

[johannapam1]

I've Pilots on the front but not on the back, so am certainly interested, but I've no idea of value, so what do you consider a reasonable offer?

Gaz

I have PM'd you.

[johannapam1]

Items now on Ebay under wheels and tyres for anyone interested.

[Gaz]

I have PM'd you.

Thanks John - I'm passing on these, in case anyone else is interested.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Two-Skoda-Superb-Alloy-wheels-and-tyres-one-new-and-one-used-/230907455005?pt=UK_CarParts_Acc_Wheels_tyres_Rims_Car_Wheels_ET&fits=Car+Make%3ASkoda%7CModel%3ASuperb&hash=item35c328261d

Gaz

[johannapam1]

Thanks John - I'm passing on these, in case anyone else is interested.

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item35c328261d

Gaz

No problem gaz - thanks for putting the link up. As you can see I have dropped the price to £160 for both wheels and tyres.

I am picking up my new car today - Ford Focus Titanium X with Driver Assistance, Appearance and keyless options.

Will be sorry to see the Superb go - its been a lovely car but now 7yrs old.

Edited 4 January, 2013 by johannapam1