I have been driving since 1962 and the only mechanical expertise I have is what I have gathered over all those years as a car owner, enthusiast.

It is difficult therefore when a mechanic tells me I don't know what I am talking about yet I have the feeling something is not just right.

 

I took my 2010 Fabia 1.2 Tsi DSG  in for a service today to a local VW specialist ( I have never used this garage before as I have just moved into the area)

On getting home I discovered from their invoice they have used 10w 40 Semi Synthetic oil. This set alarm bells ringing as all my research had shown me the car should have 5w 30 oil.

 

I rang the guy and queried this and surprisingly he was quite rude. I explained I was under the impression 5w 30 oil should be used on this engine and that the engine I understood was quite oil specific and that the wrong oil might cause issues with the timing chain.

He told me the engine was BELT driven as the cover was plastic and it couldn't possibly be a chain. I replied that I was surprised that as a VW specialist he didn't know the 1.2 Tsi was CHAIN driven.

 

He assured me the oil was VW spec and would be fine but when I expressed my doubts he told me he would drop this oil out on Friday and change it for 5w 30 but continued to s****** and treat me like a complete numpty.

I have since rung my old VW specialist in the town I had moved from and who I have used for years. They have told me the engine will be fine with the 10w 40 and when I said 'even in winter?' the mechanic there said yes. But I am still uneasy. Please could anyone ( Estate Man or George etc.,) with mechanical knowledge of this engine please put my mind at rest? Thanks

 

Harry.

The word above  which has been 'modded' should read sn igg er

Is it on fixed or variable service intervals?  If it's fixed then then oil should be of VW spec 502 00, if variable then 504 00.  Viscosity varies slightly depending on manufacturer with the majority being 5W/30 for both specs, occasionally 0W/30 or 5W/40 but i've not found a 10W/40 that meets either spec. IMHO your "specialist" doesn't know what they're talking about. 

I would have them get a move on and put in the Correct 5w 30 Full Synthetic    (5w 40 ....VW 502 00 is OK for Fixed Servicing.)

 

It should be VW 502 00 for fixed Servicing or VW 504 00 for variable.   It is up to you if you want to pay more for Long Life.

 

But this time it is them needing to Pay for their Error,

So just ask them to do the right thing and get in the VW 504 00

Thanks for above replies. It's on fixed servicing but I do very few miles theses days and due to illness this year only covered 4500 since last service.

 

My main worry about taking it back to them is, I can't be sure they will not just fob me off and tell me they have put 5/30 or 5/40 in while leaving the 10/40 stuff in there. They do not allow access to the workshop.

 

I will probably just take the car to my usual garage  who I trust and get them to change the oil. Its about 14 miles away but I's be happier and put it down to experience. I agree George they haven't a clue, having told me the car was belt driven. He also tried to tell me my 7 sp Dsg needed and oil change every 4 years!!! I have been gob smacked really as this VW specialist has been in business 30 years and doesn't appear to have any idea.

 

My main concern now is will I be okay to run the car until I get the oil changed without fear of damage?

 

Harry.

It will be fine for a short while.  Can you get a Refund from them?

The two main risks from running a thicker oil than specified are high oil pressure which can blow seals and a reduction in splash lubrication of the upper cylinder area.

 

Neither of which will be an issue if you keep the revs down.

Problem is not the 10W40 rating but the fact that they put in semi-synthetic oil!!! That is simply unacceptable - get them to replace that crap they put in (have you checked if oil filter was changed?)  with the correct stuff with appropriate specification a per George's advice and never come back! I wonder how did you manage to find such a rare breed of VW Specialists who I'd not entrust my 20 year old rusty push bike to service!

At least you have some paperwork and if anything goes wrong (plugs needing replacement, catalyst clogged up, valves burning out due to deposits from the mineral part of the semi-synthetic - all these are worst case scenario of course) you will have solid basis for redress.

I'd not worry too much for now, just get the oil and oil filter changed, both things MUST be changed.

 

Looks like this garage never heard about computers and internet. All garages should have access to on-line servicing manuals they pay subscriptions to use, where one can find step by step guides even a slightly deranged monkey can follow as far as the simplest thing like changing oil is concerned

 

Sorry to sound a bit harsh but a certain minimum standards have to be enforced!

sounds like they are complete ****s... get a refund, by stating they have absolutley no idea what they are talking about DONT let them touch your DSG let alone charge you for an oil change every 4 years......

 

1) refund: on the grounds of not providing a minimum correct service, (tell them you will be naming and shaming on briskoda, seatcupra net ect ect

2) go to someone who knows what they are talking about

 

3) above all don't get too stressed, life is short, and its not worth worrying about the many idiots who claim things and are incapable... I'm sure you will find a good garage nearby the phone is your friend, just tell them your story

 

Shark.

I have decided I will have the oil and filter changed and will try to get a refund. Thing is I do not want them anywhere near my car again.

They do advertise themselves as VW Audi specialists of 30 years but as I have said, from the answers I got to my questions alarm bells were quickly ringing and their obvious lack of basic knowledge just confirmed my fears.

I suppose that's what can happen when trying to save a few bob by bypassing the main dealers. Anyway I have a good specialist I can visit as I said and will let them do the job. Thanks sharkrider for the advice re avoiding stress, obviously it showed in my post  

 

 

Harry.

Edited 1 July, 201412 yr by horkin

I put all my concerns in writing and requested a refund. Don't expect to get anywhere .

Correct oil and Filter being installed by another tried and trusted establishment on Friday.  May seem a bit belt and braces but I'll feel much better after that. :clap:

 

Harry.

Let us know about further developments

Let us know about further developments

 

Will do mate, thanks for your interest. I found these clowns online. They purport to be VAG specialists , a family firm of 30 years, just what I had been looking for. I did Google the name of their company for reviews and found nothing bad, just a couple of glowing reports which it seems now they may have posted themselves :wonder: .

They do say we live and learn. I've lived a long time and still learning.

 

Harry

http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg50/crested-2008/Carservice004.jpg?t=1404255124

 

Here is the part of the invoice showing oil used by them !

Edited 2 July, 201412 yr by horkin

I wouldn't beat myself up about it too much. Not your fault you trusted a professional advertising as being a VAG Specialist - plenty of dishonest "specialists" around but luckily we have message boards like Briskie to help us out