Does anyone know how I can change the engine oil and the filter without leaving any finger marks or any sign of the under engine cover screws being removed with dirt on the cover that is not disturbed. Answers on a post card good people to ------------------- This is a serious question which I will put more detail to if anyone replies.

Was this as a result of a dodgy service?

I believe it is quite common to remove the oil via the dipstick tube. Not sure how difficult the filter is without looking.

 

Trevor M

First prize goes to >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> drum roll>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yetisteve :clap: :clap: :clap: Second prize goes to >>>>>>>>>>>>>. drum roll again >>>>>> Trevor M :clap:  :clap:  :clap: 

 

Correct !! Charged for oil+ filter and new drain plug, been crawling around under vehicles for 45 years Not good is it ?? I really had a good look at the cover all over and every torque screw and decided I was not paranoid, I was yesterday but not today !!

Straight back to dealer and drag him underneath.

Ask him the same question.

I'd be interested in his reply.

I scratch the date last changed into the filter body (very easy on the Subaru as its a canister filter that screws to the top of the engine). Quite easy to tell if its been changed and even easier to point out.

I scratch the date last changed into the filter body (very easy on the Subaru as its a canister filter that screws to the top of the engine). Quite easy to tell if its been changed and even easier to point out.

Invoice.

 

...

Oil filter - £X

Marking filter as per original - £Lots.

...

 

colour is the oil on the dipstick?

colour is the oil on the dipstick?

 

A diesel's oil will be black within 5 minutes of the engine running after a change, so that proves nothing.

I don't know about the filter but there are plenty of references around on changing the engine oil via the dipstick using a vacuum pump. The kind I've seen most mentioned is a "Pela" but there are several other makes available. From what I can make out they work by inserting a plastic type tube into the sump via the dipstick tube. I don't think this approach is possible in the 1.2 petrol engine for some reason but it works on the rest.

However, as has been mentioned above, if the car is a diesel and has been driven the oil will be black.

The oil is blackish but not really black like it was before it went in, the oil has been done, I've looked again at the cover just to be really certain and its not been off theres dry road muck like fine sand in the the front fixing  tabs that locate the front of the cover when you move them open with a screwdriver blade you can see the sandy soil lodged in the gap, if the cover had been off it would have fallen out all along the front edge of the cover and along one side.

 

Its a round trip of 80 miles to the dealer in England where I bought the car if I did take it back I can hear all the standard defence statements even if you could get them to put the car on the ramp !!

 

I am now not   going to use them for its first MOT in July, its a main dealership with no testing station,  they take the cars to an Audi dealership for an MOT so whats the point ? may aswell use the garage near home who looks after my vans who is a registered station and in the good garage scheme one of the best garages around, WAIT FOR IT ! he's really into copper ease on all nuts and bolts swears by it and goes through tins of the stuff each week, its a real'' must do on ball joints on Vauxhalls before you put new ones in the arms, being tapered they are well known for seizing and I have seen him many times with a gas torch heating up the arms to get old ones out. I've just had 4 new ones put on one van not long ago, Vauxhalls just go through them like wild fire.

 

I suppose we have all come across things like this'' fudged service'' the car is registered in my wifes name its her car  really, so maybe they spotted it belongs to a lady owner on the service invoice when it went in and decided to skimp on the job.

 

Anyway I will finish now good people and say I have had a letter from Skoda to say wait for another letter about fixing the software on the car as things are in the deep in depth analysis stage and extensive testing will need to take place   to see if the ''next cheat software will go undetected'---------------- Who said that'  

I would have thought that if you are that certain it could be proved. Call your local trading standards and seek their advice. I suspect getting it on a ramp and taking the cover off would at least reveal a new looking sump plug. They may even drop the oil out, replace the filter and send for testing and pop the new oil back. Not much work or expense and they would be happy to have a garage 'bang to rights' for something like that. It will give you satisfaction to 'nail them' too.

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Must admit I was going to mark the filter on my TT when it went in for an oil and filter change last year (one year old) and only 5k. miles but didn't get around to it.

 

Will be going in later this year for the 2 year/Longlife service and as it's only done a couple of thousand more I'll definitely do it this time with some paint.

Removing the oil with a vacuum pump is perfectly acceptable, and is encouraged by some manufacturers, so I don't see that as a problem.

Can the oil filter be changed without taking off the cover? If it can then again no proof it hasn't been done.

As has been said, diesel oil is black very quickly after the car is restarted, so colour is no proof it hadn't been changed, and I very much doubt that local Trading Standards will pay for an oil analysis for one complaint.

TBH, main dealers have far too much to lose if they were caught "trying it on".

 

However I would be interested to know which dealer it was, although I have a good idea. 

If they removed the oil with a vacuum line then the won't need to replace the sump plug. I'd have thought a big garage would drain the oil via the sump for speed.

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If oil was removed via dipstick then should not be charged for a new plg.

 

I like the date written on parts when they are changed, sharpie pens are good for this, I work in the maintenance industry and ask my contractors to do this so I have proof the work is being done.

 

Remember a few years ago when I took a previous car to a recommended independent garage for a service, when I went to collect it he presented me with a box of all the old parts to show he had changed them.

If oil was removed via dipstick then should not be charged for a new plg.

I like the date written on parts when they are changed, sharpie pens are good for this, I work in the maintenance industry and ask my contractors to do this so I have proof the work is being done.

Remember a few years ago when I took a previous car to a recommended independent garage for a service, when I went to collect it he presented me with a box of all the old parts to show he had changed them.

Yes - I remember for a time, this was often done. I guess if you ask they would still do it - after all, unless it's a warranty repair, it's your property. Perhaps it's to do with ensuring proper disposal or scrap value on metal parts?

Forgive my ignorance but in the (good) old days did not bits of swarf, grindings etc collect in the oil and find their way into the sludge at the bottom of the sump?

If you use a vacuum probe via the dipstick tube rather than following the drain plug/gravity method, will all the bits be sucked out?

 

Maybe today with better machined components there are very few bits swilling around and the oil change reasons are not quite as before?

 

Should this layman insist on a gravity method at first service or will I be talking through my exhaust pipe?

Modern filters are much better, plus the nozzle goes down to the bottom of the sump and does seem to pick up all the bits.

I know my dealer takes the plug out of the bottom.

 

Can the oil filter be changed without taking off the cover? If it can then again no proof it hasn't been done.

 

No way on my 170.

The cover needs to be lifted off, then a metal bracket needs to be removed.

Only once that's done can you get an extension bar and large socket down to the filter cap to undo it.

However, as has been mentioned above, if the car is a diesel and has been driven the oil will be black.

You should be able to tell if you check at home first thing.

If they removed the oil with a vacuum line then the won't need to replace the sump plug. I'd have thought a big garage would drain the oil via the sump for speed.

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My first service resulted in the small screws supporting the plastic tray not being put back, so I know it was on the hoist and drained.

I guess they figure owners don't look..........country dealer, not as fastidious as the big smoke ones it seems.

Hi Guys,

 

All interesting posts thankyou for your interest,

 

Items like this are going on all over place, everyday, they always have and always will, its the way of mankind but it's only become worse these days anyway, to save time and make a few more bucks. I doubt I will be the only customer this has happened to.

 

if all these Skoda dealers have to 'FIX' around 130,000 faulty cars under the 'dieselgate' scandal I shudder to think what some garages 'MAY' do to get the through put, how will YOU KNOW if the software has been updated ??? Will owners be given it in writing 'Your car has been fixed' signed Skoda I doubt that.

 

How can you'prove'  that since the update on your car was carried out, it is REALLY doing less miles to the gallon. Even if you make a note yourself in a log of fuel bought miles cost etc before the fix and  after I doubt you would get anywhere standing at the service desk at a dealers,

 

All they will say is'' We have done it and we have no way of knowing how you drive the car'',( I picked fuel consumption because I think that is what most owners will be worried about)

 

The whole issue of this 'dieselgate' will be solved by all of us having 'TRUST and FAITH in other people to do the right thing.

Saddley it seems to be lacking these days (all around the globe) with some people and companies.

 

But this sort of thing has been around since the days of the Greek Empire and further back and its not going to go away. The Greeks had a phrase for it ' caveat emptor' ''let the buyer beware'', in this case i have bought the services of the garage, I suppose thats how trading standards came into being ? and the reason why.

 

I don't have a problem with sucking the oil out of the DS tube and putting new oil in, I only had the car dealer serviced because it is still under 3 years old.

Its being charged for parts not used thats the problem.

Its far less hassle to stick a tube down the DS hole and pump the oil out while you get on with another job, because your understaffed and over worked ?? than on the ramp and ' ALL THOSE B++++Y screws !! to undo !!

 

I mean if I had not crawled under the front of the car how would you know ?? how many people do that these days or know what to look for? thats how scams take place its lack of knowledge and experience that  the person who is  being scamed has.

 

As for Trading Standards waste of time going there they will do zero on one complaint.

 

Posting #14 has said that he may know who the dealer is Well """"I am not prepared to name them on here"""""" but if that person wishes to put it on here in some form I may beable to work out if you are correct or even just put on a post the first letter of the dealership you think it is and why you know this fact? thats the easy way. But really there is nothing to be gained is there??

 

'The Esso sign means happy motoring call at the Esso sign' Those where the days Twin choke carbs and limited slip diffs !!!############# Evo T

Evo,

On the outskirts of the town that has the Cambrian Railway Museum, and not far from the Robert Jones & Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital?

 

Always useful to know and to report in this section of the Forum:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/289-dealer-reviews/

No not that dealer needed to go further north in England to find a 4x4 at the right price--its on the link dealer reviews --does not get a very good rating so will use local garage  from now on. re the software upfate will make a decision at the time