Hi All,

 

Came across this site when trying to do some research and hoped someone might shed some light on a problem with my Octavia 1.6 CR.

 

I brought the car new in Sept 2010 and do a lot of motorway miles. The car has currently covered 135,000 and has always been serviced by the main dealer, Griffin Mill at Ponty.

 

About 50,000 miles ago the oil light started coming on and beeping 3 times, it had a service at Griffin Mill and they said they couldn't find anything wrong with the car. I took it to another garage and they suggested fitting a new oil pressure sensor and switch, which I agreed to. After having the new sensor and switch it started happening again.

 

At the next service I again took it back to Griffin Mill and asked them to complete a oil pressure test. They confirmed that there was nothing wrong with the engine and all was OK.

 

The oil light was still appearing on the dash and so tried to figure out at what rev range etc it occurred. Basically at 1500rpm the oil light came on, if I then dropped a gear and raised the revs the oil light would stop flashing after 5 times, if I kept the rev range at the same revs i.e. 1500 the light would continue to flash.

 

I kept in communication with Griffin Mill and during my last service about 3 weeks ago, one of the mechanics came out with me in the car and the light came on when at 1500rpm. The mechanic suggested cleaning the filter to try to remove any sludge or replacing the pump and they would need to rebook it in.

 

I agreed with Griffin Mill that as I'd just had new filter and oil that we would do this on the next service, well on the drive home last night the cars engine sounds like its just been swopped with a V Twin bike engine, especially in the first 2 gears!!!!

 

Griffin Mill this morning are being non-committal as expected and a bit evasive as I suspect there is now some serious damage. Can anyone shed any light on the problem?? 

 

Regards

Wondering if there has perhaps been some oil starvation? Would account for it sounding knackered.

Hi pipsyp,

 

When the light came on first time that was the first thing checked, but all OK.

 

Was wondering whether there was a common problem with them as I've heard a similar thing happening on the 2.0l diesels??

 

Regards

Cleaning which filter?  The oil pick-up mesh in the sump?

Hi Brad 1.8T,

 

Yeah, Skoda dealer recommended cleaning the oil pick up mesh in the sump.

Regards

So they confirmed the low pressure warning after having eliminating the sensor and realised that the sump pickup needed changing (classic symptoms). Yet they allowed you to drive away for another 10000miles (more if on variable). Not good.

Not heard of oil starvation with the 1.6 tdi CR engine? I work for audi and not heard of this so don't think it's like the old 2.0 tdi PD with oil pump/balance shaft failing but sounds to me they need to take the sump off and check the big ends and oil pick up ASAP!!

variable or fixed services?

I fear the worst.

An engine which has a correct and functioning oil pressure switch and the warning lamp comes on at 1500rpm does not bode well.

Could be a pressure relief valve stuck open.

Or could be worn bearings leading to low oil pressure or low oil pressure leading to worn bearings.

Let us know how you get on. Presumably, a pretty thorough investigation is now scheduled?

Hi Brad,

Variable services.

Hi all,

 

Many thanks for the replies, seems to confirm that the future of my engine is looking that good as I feared. 

 

As I had tried to find out what the problem was with the main dealer for the past year and not just hoped it would go away, I thought I'd give them a call again on Thursday to try to find a resolution. I asked them why after replacing the oil sensor and switch and having and oil pressure test, which gave the car the all clear, the car now look as if the engine has gone. After a lengthy discussion, in which they tried getting me to take the car to another Skoda garage!!!, they agreed to take the car in on Wednesday 23rd July to have a look, ohh on the understanding that I pay for 1 hour labour....

 

They also made it clear that if there was a serious problem with the engine, they would not be liable and would not make any form of contribution.

 

I will update later in the week.

 

Regards

Apologies all first line should definitely should have said "seems to confirm that the future of my engine is NOT looking that good as I feared."

 

 

Regards

...They also made it clear that if there was a serious problem with the engine, they would not be liable and would not make any form of contribution...

Was the car still under warranty when the problem was FIRST reported?

Hi Brad,

Variable services.

Thought so. 

 

I'm convinced that the variable service regime is aimed at fleet vehicles that get turned over every 3-4 years & therefore there's no real concern about what happens in the long term.

 

I've done used oil analysis on 504/507 spec oil at 15,000km (~10,000miles) and while the oil comes up pretty good (almost like new) the amount of particulate matter is huge. If you intend to keep the vehicle for the long term I think the only way around this is to stick with fixed services & if you are doing lots of short trips / city running then consider half-period oil changes so that the sludge doesn't get a chance to build up too much.

Hi all,

 

Many thanks for the replies, seems to confirm that the future of my engine is looking that good as I feared. 

 

As I had tried to find out what the problem was with the main dealer for the past year and not just hoped it would go away, I thought I'd give them a call again on Thursday to try to find a resolution. I asked them why after replacing the oil sensor and switch and having and oil pressure test, which gave the car the all clear, the car now look as if the engine has gone. After a lengthy discussion, in which they tried getting me to take the car to another Skoda garage!!!, they agreed to take the car in on Wednesday 23rd July to have a look, ohh on the understanding that I pay for 1 hour labour....

 

They also made it clear that if there was a serious problem with the engine, they would not be liable and would not make any form of contribution.

 

I will update later in the week.

 

Regards

Recommend you get in touch with Skoda UK.  I'm not sure about your consumer rules but down here we have basic consumer rights that give a "warranty"beyond the manufacturers warranty if an item expires before "the period a reasonable person would expect it to".  So for a quality vehicle such as a VW/Skoda that was serviced IAW the manufacturers recommendations,  you wouldn't expect the engine to die from sludging at 135,000m - I think most of us would expect a good run to about 200,000km.

 

It looks like they are trying to cover their behind & diverting you to another garage would allow them to shift blame elsewhere.

 

Start documenting the sequence of events so you can claim for a new engine

Was the car still under warranty when the problem was FIRST reported?

No it was outside the warranty.

Afternoon All,

 

After been stitched up by Griffin Mill, I have managed to push the car back on to another Skoda dealer as part ex for a new car.

 

During my last service - 4 weeks or so ago - Griffin Mill offered me £5k to part ex my then, no known problem Octavia, for a new car, which I declined as I thought the car could manage another 40,000miles or so. Once the engine started to die, I parked the car up  until I decided what my next course of action would be. Realising that Griffin Mill had put 2 fingers up to me and that I could not resell the car to a private buyer for anything like £5k, I took it to another Skoda dealer who took it for a test drive and I quote said "ooh its making so knocking noises" and also said "I don't think that light is meant to come on" when the oil warning light began to sound & flash. Upon finishing the test drive he offered £4.7k as part ex against a new fabia 1.2 at a reduced price of £9k.

 

So all in all I feel quite vindicated in pushing the repair bill back on to Skoda and have a new car with warranty for a little over £4k. 

 

Many thanks for your replies they really did help me in confirming what I thought about my Octavia.

 

Kind Regards All.