Evening.

 

Having gone from just one warning light to three after a visit to one Skoda dealer in Spain, I'm now waiting on an appointment with another dealer - though further afield.

 

Out of interest, how far can a car travel in 'limp' mode - and what extra problems are likely to arise as time and miles go on.

 

All input appreciated.

 

Thanks.

As far as you like, as in safe mode it will not do any damage.  I have driven over 300 miles like it before.   Was not a pleasant journey though....

If the limp-home mode is as a result of a defective DPF or DPF sensor then irreversible damage can be done.

 

I'd imagine it would take some considerable distance before the DPF became completely blocked.

 

What did the original garage claim was causing the warning light/s?

Agree with Jason. I drove back from the Nurburgring (640 miles) after limp mode set in (split turbo hose)but recorded some good mpg figures as had to keep revs under 1900 rpm @75mph.

If the limp-home mode is as a result of a defective DPF or DPF sensor then irreversible damage can be done.

 

I'd imagine it would take some considerable distance before the DPF became completely blocked.

 

What did the original garage claim was causing the warning light/s?

The initial problem was the exhaust system warning light but the car was running fine.  Then after a visit to a Spanish Skoda dealer I've 3 lights, in limp mode and am told I need a new DPF - given driving style I doubt this but I don't speak Spanish so am kinda stuck.  Second opinion dealer later this week.  Hence thinking whether I can get back to UK with car as it is (that's about 600 miles or so).  The original warning light was supposedly a defective sensor (one discussed on here several times) and whilst they have replaced this, it's with the old US version (and dated manf 2009) and not the Malaysian update.

I'd ask Skoda assist to repatriate the car to the UK - no language difficulties then as there is a possibility that a DPF replacement will be at your cost as it is classed as a consumable part. Now in your case it is probably due to the defective sensor - but it will be much easier to fight that out with SUK and your supplying dealer (if you are the first owner).

I am in Madrid and may be able to help, I have a couple of friendly mechanics here. Even though I have gone to the dark side i still want to help if I can. where are you and which garage is it? 

Evening.

 

Having gone from just one warning light to three after a visit to one Skoda dealer in Spain, I'm now waiting on an appointment with another dealer - though further afield.

 

Out of interest, how far can a car travel in 'limp' mode - and what extra problems are likely to arise as time and miles go on.

 

All input appreciated.

 

Thanks.

message me if you need help with Spanish and the dealer, I will not be able to check this thread today. I have had a lot of dealings with Skoda Spain! (that's never a good thing!) Madrid to London is 1000 miles so that's a long way in limp mode. 

If you have AA , RAC or similar recovery they may be able to help. they will have people who can talk garagespeak in Spanish. Re the drive back can you take the ferry from Santander

If its still under warranty call Skoda UK, they were incredibly helpful when our DPF died in Southern France, the AA were sort of helpful when pushed but did help with translation

message me if you need help with Spanish and the dealer, I will not be able to check this thread today. I have had a lot of dealings with Skoda Spain! (that's never a good thing!) Madrid to London is 1000 miles so that's a long way in limp mode. 

Your offer of help is appreciated.  Unfortunately I'm over on the Costa Blanca.  I'm booked in with a dealer in Alicante tomorrow (organised by Skoda Assist / RAC) so an early morning slow limp mode drive of about 40 miles.  Hopefully they'll do a proper job though I may still end up having to accept a large bill for a DPF that I'm still convinced should be fine given my driving style.  Thank you again. 

If you have AA , RAC or similar recovery they may be able to help. they will have people who can talk garagespeak in Spanish. Re the drive back can you take the ferry from Santander If its still under warranty call Skoda UK, they were incredibly helpful when our DPF died in Southern France, the AA were sort of helpful when pushed but did help with translation

Unfortunately it's 6 months out of warranty. I did speak to Skoda UK about the replacement sensor fitted by garage number 1 - and they confirmed that it was strange they should replace it with the old style sensor when the replacement one (made in Malaysia) has been around for a couple of years.

I had an A4 that went into safe mode because of the DPF sensor, I drove it 10 miles to the dealer with Audi assist following, on the journey the fault cleared and the car drove fine, it still had a light on the dash though. Audi replaced a sensor and all was well again. They will perform a forced regen when they replace the sensor. I really don't think it would be a DPF failure, just a sensor.

My mother lives near Alicante, they have flamingo's on the salt lagoons.....

If it is a DPf ask for the old one back & tell the garage you will get it checked in the UK, might just make them double check. Also worth a few quid, many who have done DPF deletes have replaced it with a plain pipe rather than knock the inside out of the old one. Its now part of the MOT that the examiner does a visual check to make sure the DPF is there, those with plain pipes will fail the MOT, if they don't have the old one they will have to find one somewhere to knock the guts out of so failed DPF's should command very good money if the only alternative they have is buying a new one

For those that are interested, all now appears to be resolved.

 

Second dealer in Alicante as good as said that the first dealer had not fitted a suitable sensor.  They fitted the correct latest version and did a forced regen.  No warning lights and running as it should.  And this dealer (Sala Rodriguez) didn't charge me as the part fitted last week was under warranty.  Excellent service here - despite my lack of any Spanish.

 

So EuroDenia (Skoda dealer) were either incompetent or worse!

 

Thanks to Briskoda for having so much value in the forums that allowed me to work out that the sensor was likely to be the problem; and in providing the part numbers that allowed me to progress.

 

Thanks to those that responded and especially those that offered personal help.

 

Much appreciated on all fronts :-)

That is good news.