EA189 Emissions Update - my experience

[Brijo]

My dealer had my written instructions not to install any 'fix' software without my explicit permission and we PXed the 2.0 140 TDi, untouched, for our current 1.2 TSi back in March.  Just out of curiosity, I recently checked and found that she was still down for the update despite passing into Trade hands.  Then, last week, I had a nice letter from Škoda, headed 'It's time for your vehicle to have its EA 189 NOx emissions service action applied' and pointing me towards the three nearest 'retailers'.  (Ask, if you'd like the full text.)  It brings a warm glow to think that she's out there somewhere, unbridled, bringing joy to the heart of a discerning new owner

[kenfowler3966]

Who in all innocence will rush off to have the "upgrade" applied once they catch up with who now owns the car, or inadvertently have it done at the next service or mot!

 

The wording is very clever as it would take a detective to understand that the upgrade offered, when you take the car to a skoda dealer for any other reason, relates to the emissions and not to some other safety upgrade.

[VAGCF]

Especially as it's a downgrade rather than an upgrade! 

[2Geordiebroon]

Have had 30k of superb running after a remap by Unicorn here in Stockport at expiry of warranty at 25k. No contest to lose around 30bhp and a much smoother engine to potentially end up with unknown problems.

 

PS I have many other posts under Geordiebroon

Edited 22 June, 2017 by 2Geordiebroon
Give my history

[kenfowler3966]

Does it make much difference to insurance cost?

[BillN_33]

I am thinking about buying a 170bhp 4x4 to add to the two that we already have - we live in France and I want one for the UK

 

I will buy used from a Skoda dealer - presumably I need the Chassis number to check if it has been "fixed" ......... I would want and "unfixed" car

 

apart from not buying the car what are the ways to "unfix" it - will the dealer revert it back or would I have to have it remapped by a specialist tuner

 

(on the Skoda site, can you use the reg number to check the car?)

[kevberlin]

7 hours ago, BillN_33 said:

I am thinking about buying a 170bhp 4x4 to add to the two that we already have - we live in France and I want one for the UK

 

I will buy used from a Skoda dealer - presumably I need the Chassis number to check if it has been "fixed" ......... I would want and "unfixed" car

 

apart from not buying the car what are the ways to "unfix" it - will the dealer revert it back or would I have to have it remapped by a specialist tuner

 

(on the Skoda site, can you use the reg number to check the car?)

Pure speculation on my part, but I would assume all applicable approved used vehicles sold by Skoda dealers, would have to be "fixed" prior to sale.

[langers2k]

21 minutes ago, kevberlin said:

Pure speculation on my part, but I would assume all applicable approved used vehicles sold by Skoda dealers, would have to be "fixed" prior to sale.

 

I would expect so.

 

7 hours ago, BillN_33 said:

apart from not buying the car what are the ways to "unfix" it - will the dealer revert it back or would I have to have it remapped by a specialist tuner

 

A dealer is very unlikely to remove the fix. As far as I understand your choices are:

- Stage 1+ remap.

- Some remap companies may offer to revert the fix, either by downgrading the software or using a stage 0 map (no power increase).

- Find someone with VCP or ODIS-e.

 

The last option (VCP/ODIS-e) relies on an older software version being available, this isn't the case for all ECU's but I think most do.

[Brijo]

 

1 hour ago, kevberlin said:

Pure speculation on my part, but I would assume all applicable approved used vehicles sold by Skoda dealers, would have to be "fixed" prior to sale.

 

Not so, in my experience, as in my earlier post:

 

22 hours ago, Brijo said:

My dealer had my written instructions not to install any 'fix' software without my explicit permission and we PXed the 2.0 140 TDi, untouched, for our current 1.2 TSi back in March.  Just out of curiosity, I recently checked and found that she was still down for the update despite passing into Trade hands.... etc

[Rooted]

Now that 'The Fix', is available on all the 2.0, 1.2, 1.6 TDI's then Main Dealers before selling Approved used vehicles are required to carry out The Fix before resale.

 

VW Group Claimed early this year that 50% of those 1.2 million VW Group with Defeat Devices in the UK had been dealt with and 20,000 a week were now being done.

Only way they can even pretend that is true is getting Lease, Fleet, VW Finance owned cars and Dealership Stock done, 

and then the customers in that are prepared to have it done.

Skoda only rolling out the 1.6TDI Fix now, and even some dealerships are doing it without the owners actual permission.

[2Geordiebroon]

10 hours ago, kenfowler3966 said:

Does it make much difference to insurance cost?

I think that I paid around £25 extra pa. This may have been a fixed figure or net of full no claims bonus. Worth it for the extra smoothness as well as the power.

[gman88667733]

8 minutes ago, 2Geordiebroon said:

I think that I paid around £25 extra pa. This may have been a fixed figure or net of full no claims bonus. Worth it for the extra smoothness as well as the power.

 Because I'm 19, to get my 140hp Yeti stage 1 remapped doubles my insurance price :-(

[Rooted]

Any chance of a Discount on that then,

Remapped / Modified and a Black Box fitted so that driving can be monitored ? 

Only getting it remapped for the Economy not the performance = Simply Clever.

[rockmanrock23]

So I'm regretting my "encouraged " software update now !

 

https://www.briskoda.net/forums/profile/155349-rockmanrock23/

[pikpilot]

I got the DVLA letter today on the EA189 service action for my 1.6 litre estate.

It states that "independent testing authorities have confirmed that there will no negative impact on engine performance, maximum torque, fuel consumption, noise and CO2 emissions as a result of having this update applied.

To date, over 65,000 vehicles have had the update applied."

 

Have the results from the independant test authority tests been published? 

Did the test authority note any negative effects such a more frequent DPF regenerations or effects on EGR valves?

 

Has anyone seen the test report?

Does anyone known what improvements result from the fix?

 

My engine will not be "updated" until I have been given a written long term guarantee against all the issues reported by owners.

 

I will be giving my servicing Skoda garage a letter telling them not to apply the "service update ".

[Rooted]

There are threads in the Fabia Mk2 Section and the Rapid section from 1.6TDI CR owners that regrets they have a few from having 'The Fix' or having had a Dealership carry it out without having had permission to carry it out.

 

The only improvement could be that VW Group can say the fix has been done on more vehicles.

 

the 65,000 must be a referring to 1.6 TDI CR's, because in February Paul Willis VW Group CEO in the UK testified 470,000 UK vehicles had the fix and they were being done at 20,000 a week so that should be 380,000 more.

 

Test results are not on the road test results as in a car behaving as it did after the fix in the real world, just under the test conditions, 

and clearly as more than the 1% that VW say are complaining of adverse affects after The Fix there must be doubts.

 

Many of the first vehicles Fixed, were Lease / Fleet & Sales vehicles that were at Dealerships after they were handed back at end of lease, 

so their drivers would have not been driving before then after.

 

No hurry to have it done if there proves to be a good reason to gamble with your car you can get it sometime in the future.

 

PS

A DVLA bit on a letter does not make it a DVLA or DVSA letter when VW Group post it using the contact details for registered keepers 

that they gave the VW Group.

It is not a RECALL.

Edited 26 June, 2017 by Awayoffski

[Sad555]

German government demanding fix to 12,000,000 diesel vehicles ref Reuters ......

Germany's Transport Ministry is pushing carmakers to update the engine management software in up to 12 million diesel vehicles in the country, people familiar with the talks told Reuters on Monday.

The move shows how German lawmakers are flexing their muscles ahead of national elections on Sept. 24, forcing carmakers to reduce polluting nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel engines.

[twoladies]

I have a Monte Carlo diesel 4x4 and have just received 'the letter'.  Car is running fine at the moment and I have already had the annual service.  However, at the next service, I will reject the 'fix'!!

 

This site is really wonderful and my thanks to you all for all the advice over the last couple of years.  I always operate under the maxim of... 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' - so no 'fix'!!!

 

Roz

[munrorunner]

8 hours ago, twoladies said:

I have a Monte Carlo diesel 4x4 and have just received 'the letter'.  Car is running fine at the moment and I have already had the annual service.  However, at the next service, I will reject the 'fix'!!

 

This site is really wonderful and my thanks to you all for all the advice over the last couple of years.  I always operate under the maxim of... 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' - so no 'fix'!!!

 

Roz

Ensure you have it in writing pre-service. There are cases of unauthorized fixes. Also it has just been verifief that the fix has no environmental improvements during real driving. It only impacts test conditions. So don't feel the fix is to benefit the environment. It's not. It's just to tick some boxes for VWs political gain.

[Breezy_Pete]

2 minutes ago, munrorunner said:

Also it has just been verifief that the fix has no environmental improvements during real driving.

Reference/link please.

[Rooted]

Wino, as asked in the other threads you are speaking about lower NoX, can you please post these test results that show any environmental improvement post Defeat Device Removal, so lower NoX, Co2 g/km emissions and the same fuel consumption or lower fuel consumption and longevity of engine parts being the same as pre fix.

[Breezy_Pete]

Do your own research fella. Show me independent results that say NOx *isn't* reduced, post fix.

[Rooted]

I think we will have to wait for the VW Group to be defending their actions and engineering solutions in European Courts when they produce Road Test Data and those taking them to court produce the test results they have had carried out pre and post Defeat Device removal.

http://energydesk.greenpeace.org/2017/06/30/vw-fix-volkswagen-no-significant-difference-real-world 

[Sad555]

Read that one European police force have REFUSED the FIX on their Skoda fleet,wonder why?

[VAGCF]

9 hours ago, Sad555 said:

Read that one European police force have REFUSED the FIX on their Skoda fleet,wonder why?

German if I recall !