A cautionary tale for all you modders out there. I carried a few mods to my vRS whilst it was still under warranty, & now that a slight problem has occurred (high oil consumption), the dealer, Simpsons of Preston have refused to investigate the oil consumption issue because of the mods. This decision has just been backed up by SUK.

 

The mods in question are a replacement exhaust system (catback with resonator removed) & an ITG Maxogen air intake. I even offered to reinstate the air filter back to standard but this offer was declined. I can't see how either of these mods could possibly affect oil consumption, but I am not a vehicle mechanic, so my questions to the knowledgeable gurus out there are:-

 

1) Does Skoda's warranty absolutely exclude any modifications to the car at all, & if so is that justified?

 

2) Can anyone see how an engine with a proven history of oil issues, can be further compromised by the 2 afore mentioned mods?

 

I feel so strongly about this I am considering engaging a forensic motor mechanic for his considered opinion, on whether the 2 mods could cause or exacerbate the oil consumption issue.

 

3) Assuming that the report comes out in my favour, who then do I sue - Simpsons of Preston (the retailer) or SUK?

 

But in any event all you enthusiasts out there with bolt on goodies, be aware of the situation you may find yourself in.

 

They also declined to consider an Extended Warranty.

 

Cooper JCW here I come!

There are members that have had Stage 1 Remaps on their Twinchargers and still had the Warranty Valid and an Engine Replaced under warranty.

Basically due to the know Fundamental Design, Manufacturing and Component Choice and quality control.

 

The thing is that the Manufacturers Warranty and the Approved Extended Warranty has its T&C's and it is the luck of the draw 

on the outcome of the Diagnostics, the Engines Examination and the checking of the ECU etc.

You do know a JCW is kind of like jumping out the frying into the fire.....

 

A cat back exhaust would make no difference.  However Air filter could slightly ( i know its ******) however they would argue that you have affected the breather for the oil if you have changed the full induction kit.  If however its a panel filter than i would say again that makes no difference.

 

The trouble is you re trying to take somebody to taks for selling a car not fit for purpose when you have clearly altered the design from how it was sold.  Int he eyes of a court that would be the main issue and thus you could expect the court finding in the dealers/skoda favour.  Even if you had one expert witness who reported their findings, if it was just one car i doubt you would have enough evidence to back it up, if however you had a fair few cars with the same issue a group case would be more effective.

 

I have a catback that VAg sell themselves through VW themselves.

 

 

All this also depends on the dealer, the trouble is far too many dealers use this warranty stuff as if it's their own money they are spending.  

To be honest, it was always going to go that way by taking the car in with those modifications still fitted.

 

Dealers know the game, so do most owners who choose to tweak their cars while under warranty.

 

If there is no evidence of modifications, they have no right to deny you warranty work. Likewise, they will look for any reason to void a warranty as like insurance companies, they don't want to pay out!

Edited 11 February, 201610 yr by Ally_bassman

The person that is Claiming on the Warranty is making the claim, they answer the questions and make the declaration.

Dealerships and employees need to cover their backsides.

 

Before doing Mods, you need to check and decide if you are going to cover breakages, 

the Engine issues are known.

If you go with Mods, it can cost you, someone needs to pay.

After all it is £4,000 plus someone is paying out.

http://skoda.co.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/Brochures/Warranty-Booklet-single.pdf

See Exclusions. Page 6 is the one that matters. It is the one that stuffs up many, Non Factory Standard Equipment.

(Skoda Approved Warranties (Extended) show even more.)

 

http://revotechnik.com/support/technical/14tsi-twincharger-engine-issues

Edited 11 February, 201610 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

reminds me of when Vauxhall refused warranty work on my brothers Corsa VXR because it had been on a trackday and they produced a picture of it at the ring............ He got an apology from vauxhall once it had been put on the forums and he told everybody signed on to the Vauxhall Trackway at Silverstone that their warranties would be voided.....lol

 

Dealers will try anything, catback on its own ok but visual alterations under the bonnet nono when you take it in.   

 

Why do you think i am fitting Skoda purchased eibach springs.....lol

 

 

every time my car goes in for service they go mental about the HID's i argue that one on a purely safety basis, i.e. without them i would crash at night as the standard headlights are so ****e from the factory

Edited 11 February, 201610 yr by Ant FR

You have and you haven't at the same time. The truth is that there is absolutely no way that your intake and exhaust mods have caused an oil consumption issue, simply because we know what's the story with some of these engines by now. But, according the to the warranty terms and conditions, Skoda can argue that you have intervened on how the engine works and therefore deny work on it. It is not what happened, you know it, we know it, they know it, but it is comfortable to hide behind warranty violation terms and get away with a faulty design that shows itself even on totally stock cars as well. Sadly.

 

What surprises me is the denial of the workshop though. They usually back you as situations like this mean money for them paid by Skoda. Some years ago when I had an inlet manifold failure and was still under warranty, I was advised to put back the original air box (I run an ITG induction) on my own so that they could then start diagnostics on a totally stock car. They didn't care, they just wanted the car to look stock so they could claim for the repair cost from Skoda. Like George says, it seems a bit random which attitude will a dealer adopt.

 

But what is the problem exactly? Has the engine broke or is it that you have too high a consumption? If it's the later, the fix is known since quite a while. Oil jets replacement. It's not cheap, but I reckon you could pay that. Still much cheaper than a brand new engine. Around 500-700 eur I think.

 

 

But what is the problem exactly? Has the engine broke or is it that you have too high a consumption? If it's the later, the fix is known since quite a while. Oil jets replacement. It's not cheap, but I reckon you could pay that. Still much cheaper than a brand new engine. Around 500-700 eur I think.

 

I have been in Spain for 3 months, covered quite a high mileage (3200 miles) & used the best part of 4 litres of oil.  Normally I would use less than 1 litre for the same mileage back home.

By comparison my Seat Leon Cupra (2006 vintage) does not use any oil in between top ups. Now my warranty is close to the end I just want the VAG Group to put right what they know is an endemic fault with this engine.

Not asking too much surely?

You do know a JCW is kind of like jumping out the frying into the fire.....

 

 

 

No. I didn't know that. What similar issues? Worse than the vRS?

Just pop along to ASDA and buy the 5w 40 Full Synthetic oil that meets VW502 00.  5 litres.

Lovely stuff, and top up as required.

Much Cheapness.

Unless one cylinder is really bad, then you are a bit stuffed.  

I would not bother getting Oil Spray Jets done.

 

Just a Stage 1 Remap and have fun.

The Latest MINI Cooper JCW 2.0 like Furbytoms is very nice, but with a Stage 1 CTHE you will leave them for dead.

I have been in Spain for 3 months, covered quite a high mileage (3200 miles) & used the best part of 4 litres of oil.  Normally I would use less than 1 litre for the same mileage back home.

By comparison my Seat Leon Cupra (2006 vintage) does not use any oil in between top ups. Now my warranty is close to the end I just want the VAG Group to put right what they know is an endemic fault with this engine.

Not asking too much surely?

 

Usually with high mileage and long drives consumption goes down by a big margin if the problem is not that big and consumption keeps within tolerances. When I did 5000km over Europe in 2 months the oil barely moved. Your numbers suggest otherwise so yeah, in short: oil jets is your answer.

 

The rest about whether Skoda should pay is a big discussion. I know for a fact your mods have nothing to do with the oil BUT it's directly against the warrant terms so getting away with it isn't that simple as If you only had say uprated dampers and suffered high oil consumption.

I am waiting for Skoda UK to put in writing, what they told me verbally on the phone today (I wont hold my breath?), before I consider what action I can then take. Certainly adverse publicity on Social Media is one possibility. But I'm not ruling out legal action either. In the US they have the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, & one section of the legislation covers the "Bolt-on goodies" of the automotive market, & it is the onus of the Car Manufacturer to prove that any any bolt on mod caused or aggravated a condition. I know this law doesn't apply in the UK, but we do have the Unfair Terms & Conditions Act, which may work in my favour.

 

I just hate being sh*te on from a great height - just because they can. (or think they can)

Just pop along to ASDA and buy the 5w 40 Full Synthetic oil that meets VW502 00.  5 litres.

Lovely stuff, and top up as required.

Much Cheapness.

Unless one cylinder is really bad, then you are a bit stuffed.  

I would not bother getting Oil Spray Jets done.

 

Just a Stage 1 Remap and have fun.

The Latest MINI Cooper JCW 2.0 like Furbytoms is very nice, but with a Stage 1 CTHE you will leave them for dead.

 

If it had 4L in such long drives it will probably be worse as an everyday car doing short trips and well beyond acceptable limits so I can't see constant top-up's in such short intervals being the ideal solution. We know the jets do work and you can practically have piece of mind regarding the oil after they've been replaced. Depends how long he plans to keep the car obviously. If the car was supposed to be a keeper I could definitely justify the cost of replaced jets. it is not that great really and will allow you to keep an otherwise great car.

I am waiting for Skoda UK to put in writing, what they told me verbally on the phone today (I wont hold my breath?), before I consider what action I can then take. Certainly adverse publicity on Social Media is one possibility. But I'm not ruling out legal action either. In the US they have the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, & one section of the legislation covers the "Bolt-on goodies" of the automotive market, & it is the onus of the Car Manufacturer to prove that any any bolt on mod caused or aggravated a condition. I know this law doesn't apply in the UK, but we do have the Unfair Terms & Conditions Act, which may work in my favour.

 

I just hate being sh*te on from a great height - just because they can. (or think they can)

 

Agree to everything but probably the only way you could have them pay is big and long legal action.

 

Just a Stage 1 Remap and have fun.

The Latest MINI Cooper JCW 2.0 like Furbytoms is very nice, but with a Stage 1 CTHE you will leave them for dead.

But I reckon I can already leave you for dead George - without the Stage 1 remap. Ha ha  LOL!

Is that the right lingo? I'm getting into this text speak now, 4COL, AFT, AIAMU

Very pathetic if you ask me, however it could depend on the garage.  I took mine to Cannock with a straight through exhaust to have a look at my fried spark plugs and didnt mention anything apart from it being a little too loud in the workshop

Very pathetic if you ask me, however it could depend on the garage.  I took mine to Cannock with a straight through exhaust to have a look at my fried spark plugs and didnt mention anything apart from it being a little too loud in the workshop

 

It's funny that when it was in for it's last service they never mentioned anything about the mods - but then again I was paying them for the service at their rip-off prices. But as soon as I try to get something out of them ----

Different story, isn't it?

We do not know that the New Oil Spray Jets work on a CTHE using more than 1 litre of Oil in 1,000 miles.

?

Or do we.  Step forward any CTHE owner that had as high oil consumption as that, and then the Fix!

 

We know some have had improvements, but how many have had a CTHE on long runs using 1 Litre in 1,000 miles then 

had Oil Spray Jets done and not an Engine replaced.

Edited 11 February, 201610 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

No. I didn't know that. What similar issues? Worse than the vRS?

Yeah, old shape JCW's detonated until they upgraded the kit

R56 early ones had same issue's most of the other R56 Prince engines with tensioners and turbo's eating themselves.  They only got it right after 2012.  as for the new ones apart from them being barges if they have the same issues the 2.0 turbo in the 125i has then be careful.   I have to say i was warned off the VRS due to chocolate engines, but nearly two months canning it the only thing i have done  is put fuel in it.   Where as my 4 mini's.   well, First one blew the bottom end due to ****e oil pump design, second one was the only one that was any good but i only owned it for 6 months.  The new shape R56 JCW i had blew its turbo and then i stupidly went back to a cooper S 3 years later, picked it up on the Friday and rejected it on the monday after flywheel let go.   Was tempted to go back a few years back with a Mini GP2 but chose not to.

 

 

Say that, find me a car that does not have horror stories.

Say that, find me a car that does not have horror stories.

 

I suppose this is the way things now are, when you try & extract as much power as possible from such a small engine. The complications of the design & all the different components interacting the way they do.

I once had a Jensen Interceptor FF with a 6.3 litre V8 Chrysler engine. I had it for nearly 3 years, & I don't remember changing the oil let alone topping it up. Plenty of petrol though, but it was only about 10 bob (50p) a gallon in those days. What I'm trying to say (perhaps not very eloquently), is if you want reliability you cant beat a big engine with 4 big carburetters, a distributor & a coil. All missing from modern engines.

I also once had a Triumph TR6 which I believe was the first British production car fitted with fuel injection (Lucas). A load of Sh*te - I had to have a Stromberg carburetter conversion done to get it to start in the morning.

We do not know that the New Oil Spray Jets work on a CTHE using more than 1 litre of Oil in 1,000 miles.

?

Or do we. Step forward any CTHE owner that had as high oil consumption as that, and then the Fix!

We know some have had improvements, but how many have had a CTHE on long runs using 1 Litre in 1,000 miles then

had Oil Spray Jets done and not an Engine replaced.

Oil spray jets *cough* fix only applicable to CHTE?

Brian,

No they have done CAVE engines. 

Some have reported it reducing oil use, but it has been the Breather Mod, Software Upadate and Squirters.

 

?

Has your car ever had the Breathers changed for Update 1 or 2 since 2010?

Brian,

No they have done CAVE engines.

Some have reported it reducing oil use, but it has been the Breather Mod, Software Upadate and Squirters.

?

Has your car ever had the Breathers changed for Update 1 or 2 since 2010?

No George - engine is untouched (aside from any software updates when it has been in for a service).

Are you using much oil now?

Are you using much oil now?

I'm currently monitoring the situation - which is tricky when I only do about 300 miles a month!