Overheating & Water Pump Failure

[XM82]

Hi There,

 

Bought a 2014 Octavia, 60,000 kms still under warranty and have had after 2 weeks a overheating alarm coming up!

I stopped the first time. The second time thought was coming from non circulating water so tried to rev-up the engine to "sort of un-jammed" the water pump and to my surprise, the water temp went back down.

Third time...got the ****s and called the assistance, booked a diagnosis with the Skoda dealer and it is indeed a water pump issue.

Asked the question of how come this came up and had a vague answer so asked to look at the workshop paperwork and saw 2 pictures of water pumps, one with a red cross and the second one with a green tick.

 

Is this a know issue by Skoda and are they trying their luck with every car they've sold??? Will it pass the warranty???

I am now stuck on the side of the road and awaiting for a tow truck as my car over heated again this morning, 4 times!!! I topped every time but this time the water temp would not come down and the coolant is gone!!!

 

I need to prepare some arguments against Skoda as they are trying make me responsible for it already.

I am not a mechanic but the radiator and gasket could have both suffered from this and I have read that they have to repace the timing belt as well which I doubt they will do for free.

 

Any advise and proof I can prepare would be appreciated?

 

Thanks,

 

Xavier 

 

 

[ChrisHooligan]

It is a known issue lots of threads on here about it. 

[Gabbo]

This is definately a know issue from Skoda with cars built around this time.

There are several threads on here of people who have had the water pump replaced. Some recent ones have some pictures which you may be able to match with what you've seen.

Even with cars out of warrenty Skoda have made a contribution to the cost of repair for some which they wouldnt do if there wasnt some admission of the problem.

 

With component problems like its all down to money...

If it is an inherant design fault that will affect every car before the warrenty is finished it will of course be replaced automatically at service.

If there is a chance it might last past the warrenty or only affects a small number/batch of components it can be more cost effective to wait & replace when it fails. Not so convenient for the customer but a lot cheaper for the company than replacing 1m water pumps.

 

 

Bottom line, its a known problem, the car is Under warranty so they should fix it without questions & you could perhaps push them to offer a free service or something as a goodwill gesture.

[Banjaminion]

Return the car if you are unhappy, i think you would have a good argument that the car is not fit for purpose.

[XM82]

Thanks all for your replies, I will do some search on the forum about this. I have already found some threads about Octavia MkII having the same problem.

 

After being dropped off at the dealership, I ask to speak with the manager and he did not denied that the issue was known and openly showed me the assessment report with the pictures. He guaranteed me that the water pump will be replaced under warranty.

 

Now, even though they advised me to drive while they were waiting for the parts to arrive from Europe, the fact that this morning the car overheated 4 times to the point it generated a leak in the system worries me.

As explained in my original thread, this morning breakdown might lead to (best scenario) a coolant leak from the water pump which isn't a concern as they will replace it.

The worst case is that the gasket and/or the radiator have been affected in which case they might want to dispute the fact that I should not have been driving in the first place.

 

There is also another thing, for the water pump issue on the MkII, someone said "get them to replace the timing belt even though it hasn't done full kms as it should be replaced with the water pump, otherwise get them to write you a letter to say they will not be any problem with the timing belt"...I think this is relevant too.

[XM82]

42 minutes ago, Banjaminion said:

Return the car if you are unhappy, i think you would have a good argument that the car is not fit for purpose.

It is a good idea but the problem is that I am absolutely flat chat, no spare time at all. Today's exercise cost me a lot for my business and I bought the car miles away so not convenient at all to bring it back, not talking about the arguments i'd face.

[Gabbo]

On ‎23‎.‎06‎.‎2017 at 10:16, Banjaminion said:

Return the car if you are unhappy, i think you would have a good argument that the car is not fit for purpose.

 

This will not work, even on a new car & probably even less chance on a approved used car.

You have to give the dealer "fair chance" to rectify the problem with the car, which the dealer seems like they are doing.

Best case under circumstances like these is that Skoda or the dealer might offer a jesture of goodwill, like a free service or free replacement car whilst waiting for the parts.

[Orville]

My water pump was replaced twice due to leaks. Whilst it is a PITA going backwards and forwards to Dealers, or waiting for a recovery truck, it is not really a reason to reject the car. On the positive side you'll now know that your 2014 Octavia will no longer have a common fault waiting to bite you after warranty expires.

Edited 26 June, 2017 by Orville

[Jimbobguss]

My water pump went yesterday on a 2013 1.6tdi. Now waiting for the dealer to pick the car up. They will replace pump and belt at the same time under warranty. 

[ployb]

I got the dreaded warning to pull over and stop and the temperature gauge at 130 degrees on my 2014 VRS last friday. Im sure the warning was in red text even though ive only got the monochrome display!

I pulled over, put the heater on max and sure enough it went back to normal temp within a minute.

Booked in Thursday this week, 6 months out of warranty. I have full service history and 32k on the clock. I will not be happy if a good deal of the cost isnt covered.

[ChrisHooligan]

If you tell them it's a known issue then I would think at the very least you'll get 50% of the costs covered. 

[ployb]

Cheers, yep i got the impression it wasnt the first time the person on the phone had gone through these symptoms.

[XM82]

I contacted the dealership (where I bought the car from) and explained what happened. I haven't tried to blame anyone but simply asked questions; was there a known issue prior selling, anything in the service history.... The guy seemed genuine enough and he look through the entire service history while I was waiting on the phone, the car had minor issues like A/C and parking sensors but nothing else.

I thing though, he did not comment when I mentioned "known issue by Skoda'.

 

Anyway, although the service manager of the Skoda dealer next to my place agreed to help me, I will try to get them to write me a letter ensuring that the timing belt is fine, the radiator is fine as well as the head gasket as mine had its coolant boiling up and creating a leak. So unless the leak comes from the water pump, I will be suspicious about the other components in the circuit.

I'll see him tomorrow so I will report back.

 

I must admit that they are doing a great job so far... time will confirm if I am right

[Orville]

Water-pump leaks and failures must be the most common fault (feature) of the Octavia range.

[toni8b]

Today I noticed my antifreeze is above max level. Color inside is normal and there are no leaks. Antifreeze level was in between the marker before. Is this normal?

 

 

[ployb]

Dealer has quoted me £720!!!!

[ChrisHooligan]

1 hour ago, ployb said:

Dealer has quoted me £720!!!!

To do what? 

[ployb]

12 minutes ago, ChrisHooligan said:

To do what?

I hope its to swap the car over for a brand new top spec superb!

They have only mentioned water pump replacement at present, i wonder if its including the cam belt. Would it need changing after 32k miles?

 

Ive told them im not happy with that, i have a full service history with them, 6 months out of warranty, and my third skoda in 12 years.

They also cant do it tomorrow as the pump is on back order,  that says it all really doesn't it.

 

[Orville]

Call Skoda Customer Services. Explain that the water pump has failed just outside of warranty, and that according to Skoda forums this is a very common fault. They may be willing to help.

 

If you do end up having to pay full costs make sure you ask to keep the old parts. EU law protects against ALL manufacturing defects for 6-years, and if a defect is proven they have to comply. Pay by credit card, and if necessary have the water pump independently inspected. That is what I did when my clutch failed and Skoda refused to payout. Independent inspection proved CLEAR manufacturing defect and Skoda eventually refunded all of my costs.

 

edit: ignore the last part - just realised you are in Aus - but similar protection may apply against manufacturing defects.

Edited 28 June, 2017 by Orville

[ployb]

Orville, thats good advice for me however, as im in sunny Wales

 

Lets hope the OP gets it sorted.

[ChrisHooligan]

4 hours ago, ployb said:

I hope its to swap the car over for a brand new top spec superb!

They have only mentioned water pump replacement at present, i wonder if its including the cam belt. Would it need changing after 32k miles?

 

Ive told them im not happy with that, i have a full service history with them, 6 months out of warranty, and my third skoda in 12 years.

They also cant do it tomorrow as the pump is on back order,  that says it all really doesn't it.

 

If it's the water pump only no more than £400-450....but as I said previously you should get minimum 50% rebate as it's a known fault 

[Orville]

When my water-pumps were replaced the Dealer explained it was a complex job. Appatrently they needed to remove the frond-end of the car, including radiator to get to the pump. You also have the cost of the pump, complete coolant change, and time needed to bleed the system. It took my Dealer about 4-hours labor each time, so I can almost understand a ~£700 bill. Still, this is a very common fault so there is a design-defect, and Skoda should be willing to at least make a contribution.