Help! I have got an issue where my heater does not blow hot, only warm.

 

The Skoda main dealer says this is because the thermostat is stuck open and it will cost £350 to fix. Sounds a bit steep. Which thermostat is this? Is the cost justified?

 

Thanks for any help.

Does the radiator top hose get hot hot to the touch after a run?

 

Oh and anyone who's quoting £350 to change the thermostat is trying to rip you off. With a labour rate of £100/hour, a charge of £50 would be more like it!

Even if the thermostat for the Coolant / Engine heating up is stuck open the engine eventually gets to operation temperature as does the coolant.

So there should be hot air from a heater by then.

I would of thought the thermostat genuine part is £15-£30. That is a lot left for labour (3.5 hours?). Not sure how inaccessible it is, but that is quite a bit of dismantling. Might depend on the engine - you may want to post what your Superb is.

 

If you want to compare a price, call another garage and ask for cost of replacement.

 

Per previous post, if the temp is showing around 90c and there is only warm heat it maybe a blockage or temp / flow control to heater matrix being the problem.

 

Edit: Car model and engine in title but I saw your info saying superb?

Edited 29 September, 20169 yr by TheClient

The thermostat on a the vrs tdi engine (and on most gen 2 common rail engines) lives in its own plastic housing that takes up a lot of room on the front of the engine.

The part (last time I checked) is about £150 and 3.5 hours sound about right, so £350 sounds about right.

Can't you buy the thermostat separately? Isn't this a CEGA engine?

http://www.skodaparts.com/product/octavia-a5-1-9-2-0-diesel-thermostat-azv-bkd-bmn-cega-26186

Must be a right pain in the to get to.

If it has the large plastic coolant housing then It's sealed within.

It depends if it's an early or late CEGA. Early being 2009-2010 and late being 2010 onwards.

They are a stupid idea.

Makes for expensive maintenance that's for sure - obviously they don't envisage thermostat replacements - or rather, maybe they do!!

 

Reminds me of the tale when I asked if I could get a replacement torx screw for the airbox on my vRS.  No sir, they are captive, not removable and they come with the the airbox for something like £120.  No thanks - I'll make something for that!  And they are removable!

so 3.5 hours @ £47.50= £166.25 + 20% VAT = £199.50

Plus the £150 including VAT part.