Hey

 

The cars a 2013 HTP 70. 

 

I've just had it serviced by an Independent Skoda Specialist for its third year service (i did hit the 9,400 mileage a month early this year) which included all the usual stuff and brake fluid too (not sure if this would of been done without being asked though?), it also had its first year MOT. It's done 26700 miles now. 

 

The bill came to £295, which i understand isn't cheap but i don't mind paying if im getting a good job. 

 

Service £195

Brake fluid £45

MOT £55 

 

All was hunky dorey, until tonight when i looked through it all and realised the spark plugs haven't been changed since the car was new. They should have been changed at 20k miles, should they not? 

 

i'm feeling that this should of really been done at this mileage and price? 

 

Even if not, im not overly fussed, ill sort it myself (i've done them on my bikes for years, so car should be easier im thinking haha). Can somebody please tell me which plugs the car needs? i've looked on several sites and the NGK (i would really prefer NGK) 5960 or 6893, but nowhere seems to say what the difference is? 

 

Any help appreciated really

 

Cheers  

40k/4 years for plugs

If you want to replace the spark plugs early then do it, or have it done, or at least check them.

But if you have them out you are as well to change them, they are rather inexpensive.

 

NGK 5960 are fine are they not?

http://livingstonautoparts.co.uk

Edited 14 February, 201610 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

40k/4 years for plugs

 

Ah okay.

 

Not to disagree.. but the Skoda site says.. 

 

http://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/service-and-maintenance/simply-fixed/default/

 

A major service is carried out every 24 months or 20,000 miles, whichever comes sooner.

A major service includes:

• Everything from a minor service
• Replacement air filter †
• Spark plugs † (petrol engine) or fuel filter † (diesel engine)
• Remove wheels and check brakes
• Check/adjust tension of all drive belts
• Check/replenish gearbox oil (where applicable)
• Check/replenish final drive oil (where applicable)
• Check suspension system
• Check heating/aircon operation

If you want to replace the spark plugs early then do it, or have it done, or at least check them.

But if you have them out you are as well to change them, they are rather inexpensive.

 

NGK 5960 are fine are they not?

http://livingstonautoparts.co.uk

 

 

Cheers George

 

I would rather change them earlier than 40k to be honest. Seems a-bit much, doesn't it? 

 

Yeah it says 5960 but it also lists 6893. I've looked through the spec and they both look the same.. but i just cant get my head around why NGK have 2 plugs listed with the same spec under 2 part numbers? surely there must be a difference somewhere?  

 

Cheers. 

It is why Major / Inspection services can be a rip off.

 

Service Schedule / Guidelines having Consumables replaced every 2nd Major service with the likes of Spark Plugs and Air Filter.

But Special Fixed Prices, even when 'parts not required', 

or actually even checked if required.

 

Anyway, you used an Independent, pity you were not asked what you wanted doing.

It is why Major / Inspection services can be a rip off.

 

Service Schedule / Guidelines having Consumables replaced every 2nd Major service with the likes of Spark Plugs and Air Filter.

But Special Fixed Prices, even when 'parts not required', 

or actually even checked if required.

 

Anyway, you used an Independent, pity you were not asked what you wanted doing.

i guess i was a little naive in that i thought i was getting the full monte for the price said, after 27k miles and they weren't replaced last year (i did use them last year too). 

 

i'm half tempted to ring up and ask why they weren't replaced tbh, but i dont want to seem a **** . 

 

Not sure what to do. I might just swallow the extra £15-£20 and do it myself. Then i know its done. 

Ah okay.

 

Not to disagree.. but the Skoda site says.. 

 

http://www.skoda.co.uk/owners/service-and-maintenance/simply-fixed/default/

 

A major service is carried out every 24 months or 20,000 miles, whichever comes sooner.[/size]

A major service includes:

• Everything from a minor service
• Replacement air filter †
• Spark plugs † (petrol engine) or fuel filter † (diesel engine)
• Remove wheels and check brakes
• Check/adjust tension of all drive belts
• Check/replenish gearbox oil (where applicable)
• Check/replenish final drive oil (where applicable)
• Check suspension system
• Check heating/aircon operation

Read the note:

† These items will be replaced, if required. This will be determined by the manufacturer's service regime data.

Read the note:

† These items will be replaced, if required. This will be determined by the manufacturer's service regime data.

 

Fair shout mate. Didn't see that. 

 

So it needs replacing when it causes a problem according to them, basically? Doing things this way just seems abit.. tight.. imo  

 

40k just seems too long to me tbh. Personal preference maybe. 

 

I think i'll change them myself then . Cheers Ross..  

Edited 14 February, 201610 yr by fabiamk2SE

You replace it when the service schedule tells you to. If you are carrying out a service you have to enter the relevant data into ELSA and it builds a service sheet for you. It will say on there at what mileage or age things should be changed. Plugs have pretty much always been 40k on the years I've worked on cars.

You replace it when the service schedule tells you to. If you are carrying out a service you have to enter the relevant data into ELSA and it builds a service sheet for you. It will say on there at what mileage or age things should be changed. Plugs have pretty much always been 40k on the years I've worked on cars.

 

Maybe its just because i'm used to bikes then. Which are all different but for instance, my current one is replacement at 16k. 

 

I cant see the point in being tight on such things. As George says, if its being taken out to be checked, it might aswel be changed. I'd rather pay another £15 n have the job done tbh. Rather than looking at it n 'uh its alright', pop it back in and have a problem with it a few k down the line. 

Edited 14 February, 201610 yr by fabiamk2SE

Tech1e,

We never had to change Spark Plugs sooner really.  It was how things were, sadly still have been. 

As you know.,

 

Then VW came up with Twinchargers, and never changed the Service Schedule / Guidelines.,

sadly 1 spark plug might not see out 20,000 miles, 

and neither have a few hundred engines, thousands world wide.

 

VW changed the recommended plug and the gap, but not the interval, 

hence 1 plug still failing, and Factory Trained Technicians still do not check them.

Diagnostic has no logged misfires, 

so what happens, 

they blame the Ignition Coil.  Then the Spark Plug fails.

 

VORSPRUNG DURCH TECHNIK

Edited 14 February, 201610 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

Basically.. on a major skoda service means a few more things are 'checked' but nothing more actually done for the extra £120 recommended price for the participating dealers. 

 

Seems easy money? :S

Edited 14 February, 201610 yr by fabiamk2SE

Maybe its just because i'm used to bikes then. Which are all different but for instance, my current one is replacement at 16k. 

 

I cant see the point in being tight on such things. As George says, if its being taken out to be checked, it might aswel be changed. I'd rather pay another £15 n have the job done tbh. Rather than looking at it n 'uh its alright', pop it back in and have a problem with it a few k down the line.

Normally (plug issues with twin chargers aside) there is nothing in the service schedule to check plugs. They wouldn't be touched until the 40k service. In fact some cars with platinum/Iridium plugs were 60 or 80k.

Thats why they were not checked or changed in this case the OP has posted about.

& why there is no need to, unless the owner wishes to.

 

Pity VW never bothered doing a TPI on the Service Interval on the Twinchargers, 

it might have saved them hundreds of times of £4,000 in Warranty Claims.

 

It is amazing how often Service Desk employees or even Salespeople tell even Twincharger Owners their Plugs are 60,000-80,000 interval items.

Gordon is a Moron at Parks of Hamilton being a case in question.

Edited 14 February, 201610 yr by GoneOffskiroottoot

Normally (plug issues with twin chargers aside) there is nothing in the service schedule to check plugs. They wouldn't be touched until the 40k service. In fact some cars with platinum/Iridium plugs were 60 or 80k.

 

bloody hell. 

 

is there not a chance of them seizing into the head by that time, if theirs moisture about? 

Thats why they were not checked or changed.

& why there is no need to, unless the owner wishes to.

 

Pity VW never bothered doing a TPI on the Service Interval on the Twinchargers, 

it might have saved them hundreds of times of £4,000 in Warranty Claims.

 

It is amazing how often Service Desk tell even Twincharger Owners their Plugs are 60,000-80,000 interval items.

Gordon is a Moron at Parks of Hamilton being a case in question.

 

It all sounds abit half arsed and lazy to me, if im honest. 

 

This owner would rather not wait that long before removing them from the head haha. Even on a simple HTP 

Edited 14 February, 201610 yr by fabiamk2SE

Don't think I've seen a plug seize into a cylinder head since a Ford X Flow.

Don't think I've seen a plug seize into a cylinder head since a Ford X Flow.

 

I guess it'd only be a problem if water got in. 

 

Like it is on the Vivaro/Traffic glow plugs, which have had endless replacement heads. 

 

Anway. Thats off topic isnt it  

 

I think i'll go to my local parts place and get some new NGK's tomorrow . 

Don't think I've seen a plug seize into a cylinder head since a Ford X Flow.

Had a few, MK2 Focus 1.6

Vivaro glow plugs and injectors.

Mk3 Fiesta 1.3

Plugs changed

£11 n 30 mins work (quicker if id done it before on this engine no doubt).

Happy days.

How did the old ones look?

How did the old ones look?

 

Spot on i think mate 

 

 

They all look like that. 

 

Just had a drive out to Clay Cross and got 52mpg over 50 miles. Was giving it abit on the way back too. Cant complain really. Maybe not just new plugs, but the rest of the service too, air filter etc etc. 

Yeah that looks nice, I think. Got anything to measure the gap with (feeler gauge)?

Yeah that looks nice, I think. Got anything to measure the gap with (feeler gauge)?

I have mate.. But i cant get to it at the mo. Tidying the van out .

Ill measure it later n let you know.

They probably were good to do more miles tbh, looking at them. But id rather just change em.

What confuses me, is the price difference of spark plugs. Theyre only £11 for 3 in the HTP. Yet the bike ones are over £45 for 4. Okay theyre iridium but they arent that much different . Just seems to vary so much

Edited 15 February, 201610 yr by fabiamk2SE