Warning on Spark Plugs 1.4 TSI CAVE VRS, (& CTHE)'check the spark plugs!'

[Ootohere]

jabozuma, 

re Service Schedule,  1.4 TSI 180 PS.

 

The 1.4 Twinchargers were 160 & 170 PS.

 

Only in 2009 did the 1.4 TSI CAVE 180 ps Minimum with DSG go in the Seat Ibiza, 

then in 2010 the Skoda Fabia vRS.

 

So testing on Spark Plugs & Service Schedules were written on limited Real World Experience of 180 PS Dualchargers,

Plugs did fail on the 160 & 170 ps Engines.

 

Then Engines Failed from 2009 in the Seat Ibiza & Fabia vRS from 2010-11.

 

So now we are 4-5 years later.

Spark Plug Service Schedules never were revised in the CAVE Engines produced between 2009-2012

 

But the Engines & Engine Managements were changed to CTHE Engines in 2012,

& maybe 40,000 miles is OK now.

 

But like all new Technology and Engines, Manufacturers car Write New Service Schedules & Manuals,

or stick with there Standard Stuff.

Only Time & Failures prove if there are Issues and Changes Required.

 

Derren Brown is Skodas best new Employee,

He knows that Loss of Power or Drive due to DSG Failure is not Safety Critical.

 

I await the Skoda Press Release or Information saying there are changes to the vRS Servicing,

& action is required on DSG's.

Because in 2009, 2010, 2011, & 2012 there was no mention of Servicing of the DSG,

Actually in 2014,

it seems only Dealerships have been told there are Oil Changes require,

 

?? Is there a Reason that Skoda can not put in print to Owners the Facts & Information 

on Oil Changes from Synthetic to Mineral in the DSG, and what rights the Owners Have,

Are they Extending Warranties, or just doing Good Will Gestures if a DSG out of Original Warranty Fails,

yet has had the Service Schedule on the car, which never involved anything required to be done to the DSG.

 

SKODA NEW ZEALAND seemed to have no problems publishing information for owners to tell them what was required.

http://skoda.co.nz/news/dsg-service-campaign

 

Skoda UK like Advertising and imformation out there on New Vehicles for sale.

It is not that hard to put Information for Current Owners in there Adverts or Press Releases.

[Jabozuma]

Too damned right! Most garages would happily "fit new" and proffer a bill for the specialist work. Plugs that look that different (and awful) indicate a problem - just replacing them is not going to fix the underlying problem(s)

15 years ago I had a brand new Audi A3 1.6 Petrol. I kept having problems with clutch and gearbox (manual). They replaced gearbox 4 times and clutch 3 times without anybody actually even trying to find the underlying cause of the failure, they just could not be bothered! Car was out of warranty when that happened but due to my whinging and snotty letter writing skills I had everything replaced completely free of charge - it helped that it started falling apart when it the car was still under warranty. I got fed up with Audi and employed independent VAG specialist engineer to diagnose the car. I almost got a stroke when bloke diagnosed the issue within 30 seconds of looking at it and nudging different bits when he was walking under it. It was faulty half axle joint causing excessive vibrations destroying gearbox after gearbox, clutch after clutch. At one point gearbox failure was so bad that the cogs and shafts punched a (small) fist sized hole in the casing...

Yes, no fault codes in ECU then all is dandy, cute and cuddly!

[Jabozuma]

George,

 

I have no answers for you mate, I can see no reason why would they not deal with this above board? When Toyota did their millions of cars recall their share price actually went up!!

I have my solution to the problems and I am happy to stick with it. In 3 years time I will make it public

 

EDIT: And yes, for the sake of piece of mind one could stretch to changing plugs more often but on the other hand why would I? If I had no idea about the forum and had no clue about any kind of car related things then... petrol in, check oil from time to time, service as per schedule and enjoy.

Edited 17 June, 2014 by Jabozuma

[Ootohere]

bump.

[Ootohere]

Bump again.  Now drivers with CTHE Twinchargers maybe better look at changing Spark Plugs before the 40,000 mile Skoda / VW Schedule.

[Ootohere]

Just a reminder to people that might be getting their car Serviced Pre Winter.

Some Spark Plugs in Twinchargers are not lasting anything like the 40,000 mile Service Schedule that VW, Skoda, Seat & Audi have given.

 

You might notice the fuel consumption increasing, or the occasional show of the EPC Light or the 'Engine light' for the Exhaust / Emissions.

Maybe you will feel rough cold starting or actual misfires.

Misfires might not always log on the ECU.

 

Obviously your Spark Plugs might stay fine, 

but this is just a heads up, you can then consider if taking preventative measures are worth while and s £40 set of Plugs or even Better than OEM ones are worth fitting early.

 

george

[Ant FR]

i keep hearing about this misfire, but my CTHE engined car has a slight miss on cold starts and has done since i got it at 8k,  Should i be speaking to skoda about this as my brothers CAVE does it too so i assumed it was a characteristic.????

[sharkrider]

they all do this on cold starts, the engine double fuels to heat up the cat quickly ...... it should settle after about 30 seconds.

[Ally_bassman]

Mine did this after getting the new plugs. But 5k miles later it has stopped doing it. I don't know if this is related to the lower ambient temps now?

[Ootohere]

The cold start up and running rich and misfiring is something that some get, and that is something they might accept.

Maybe a ECU update helps.

 

It is Mis-fires under load that can damage a Twincharger.

the RPM where you are going from Supercharger to Turbo, and mis-fires due to a failing plug.

You might get 1 or other or both lights show or flash on,

 or while giving it Big above 3,500 rpm with engine load.

'1 Light' might show or both show or flash, or stay on,

(you might stop, switch off and go again and no light, boot it then get a EPC showing again)

and the Misfires might 'Log' and the Turbo may Disable so as not to cause damage.

 

Then that might be the first you know one Spark Plug is in a bad way.

If you drive easy, always in the NSL's it might go un-noticed, until you have a wee blast some time.

Then that can be the worst time to find out your plugs needed checking or changing.

Edited 21 November, 2014 by goneoffSKi

[AlexO]

Mine is in for a Major Service Tues and spark plug change!

@25k miles and I have asked for the old plugs to be kept for inspection!

George my vrs is a CAVE andcoming up to 4 years, is changing plugs done on years or miles?!?

Edited 21 November, 2014 by AlexO

[Ally_bassman]

It's done on miles. VAG say they should be changed at 40,000 miles but I played it safe and changed mine at 30,000

[Ootohere]

AlexO,  as said above.  

 

Has your air filter been changed already, or at least checked?

[AlexO]

When I got the car I put in a OEM myself! Thanks for the advice all!

[chappers777]

After reading this thred I'd like to change my plugs I had them inspected at last service (last month) and they said they were burning slightly white and dry with a little oil on the thread of the plug caused by the cylinder pressure. They said that if I wanted them changed it would cost £117 so I said no. Looking back at when I had my last major service with plugs changed in February time this year the plugs cost only around £13 each.

Have skoda changed the plugs which shows the huge price increase for the plugs to be changed outside if service intervals?

[Ootohere]

No,

the Spark Plugs still cost around £10-12 each or about £60 or less for 4 if you pay full price for DENSO plugs.

 

http://eurocarparts.com/spark-plugs

£9.72 & £12.60

 

That is them charging Labour & VAT to change them.

As part of a Service at a VW Dealership it might cost you quite a bit less, same spark plugs @ the same price.

Edited 23 November, 2014 by goneoffSKi

[chappers777]

The labour charge was £22 + vat tho? To expensive in my eyes. Are you a tech George?

[Ootohere]

Was that the Labour charge last time while it was in being serviced

& the Labour being charged was already more than the time actually taken to do the Service?

 

Taking a car in just for a Spark Plug Change, and the car being put on the Diagnostic

 & then road tested might well be an Hours Labour.

(20-30 minutes might be enough time to just change the plugs, but not enough from start to finish on a work sheet,

job done and car road tested.)

 

No i am not a 'Technician', i do know quite a few.!!!

I served my Time as a Motor Engineer. (that was as a Mechanic & Panel Beater/Sprayer.) Now a keen amateur.

 

george

Edited 23 November, 2014 by goneoffSKi

[chappers777]

When I had the plugs inspected that was the labor charge he showed me on the system as it has the hours work next to it as a fixed time they applied there labour charge, so it came to £22 + vat for the inspection.

£117 was quoted when the car was in for the service if I wanted the plugs changed on top the service adviser said he couldn't get over the price it's because there chromium tipped he thinks.

It's always nice to see how helpful you are on this forum.

Thanks George

[Ootohere]

The Quote for Spark Plugs only changed at Skoda Dealerships is usually just under £100. (£98.82 i think)

Some try to say it will be the same while in for a Service.

 

VW Quote £249 for a Major Service on the Same Engine

& £299 with the Plugs Changed during the Service.

(Obviously the car is going on the Diagnostic anyway, and it is being Road Tested after the Service,

so its not getting done twice because the Spark Plugs are being Removed & Replaced.)

 

Maybe ask the Service Advisor to show you the Spark Plug Number,

then go to the Parts Desk & get the price,

or have the Service Advisor look at the Spark Plugs price, Full RRP.

 

?

Please as a favour,

if they now have special and expensive plugs that are the VW / Skoda recommendation to fit,

Please ask them to confirm what these are..

cheers.

Edited 23 November, 2014 by goneoffSKi

[chappers777]

I'm off work next week buy I'll ring then dealership up and ask about the plugs Monday

[chappers777]

I'm off work next week buy I'll ring then dealership up and ask about the plugs Monday

[Ootohere]

My last bump honest.  Just a reminder to those with CAVE engines & also CTHE it seems,

 40,000 miles is a bit long for some engines to have the same plugs in unchecked.

 

Off on my holidays, see you all next year. pusz

Edited 3 December, 2014 by goneoffSKi

[Ootohere]

Just bumping this again as the nice weather comes in, and maybe some Twinchargers are still running the Spark Plugs that they came with.

Just be aware that some spark plugs in some engines might get to 30 - 40,000 miles,

and many do not.

[walterwilson85]

http://www.eurocarparts.com/mobile/ecp/c/Skoda_Fabia_1.4_2013/p/car-parts/car-service-parts/regular-service/spark-plugs/?408778820&1&1d71fd0976f0f3bc442b0aa5db645f2bd8d6f98d&000301

George are these the correct denso plugs you recommend using. Only ones that come up on website. Cheers