Hi All ,

I've got an 03 reg 18t elegance octavia , was at the dealer today to book the car in to have an indicator lens replaced . I asked if they knew what version coilpacks my car had as I had "read somewhere "that they were an issue on the car , the service manager replied "don't worry about that , it only affects the vRS models"

Is this true or not ?

Not true, it affects all 1.8T and V5 models across the entire VAG range, audi,seat,vw and skoda.

Do we know where we stand on this at the moment with Skoda UK? Just checking as, as far as i am aware, my Y reg RS has not had any coil pack failures as yet My warranty will run out at the end of July next year and I don't want to be in the position where they all start going after the warranty expires. Where do i stand re: asking that my dealer replaces all coil packs even without a failure? :confused: Nikki - can you help here?

My car is due a service in the next couple of weeks so I thought I would contact my dealer to confirm the situation re: replacing coilpacks (mine is fitted with the G-designation variety). The dealer stated that they WILL NOT replace the coilpacks as per my request. However, should a coilpack fail they will replace ALL four of them. Not convinced especially after reading LadyLokis's bulletin I decided to contact Skoda customer services directly. The following is the response:

QUERY SENT TO SKODA CUSTOMER SERVICES 11 NOVEMBER 2003

"I have a 2001 Octavia vRS and have heard a great deal of discussion from various sources regarding coilpack failures affecting this model. I am concerned that the coilpacks fitted to my vehicle maybe prone to premature failure as they are of type 'G' designation. Is there any coilpack recall notice so that I can insist my dealer replaces them come service time??"

REPLY FROM SKODA CUSTOMER SERVICES RECEIVED 14 NOVEMBER 2003

"I can confirm that a particular batch of coils was affected and there is a service check and action for our retailers to conduct. It is not necessary to take the vehicle into the retailer specifically regarding the coils, as this is not a safety issue. The next time your vehicle is in for its annual service this check will be carried out for you."

So there you have it a totally non-commital response. I suppose all I can do is insist my dealer checks them and hope they are the dodgy version.

....the service manager replied "don't worry about that , it only affects the vRS models.

A crap answer but slightly better than one I got from the service manager at a new shiny dealership a while ago. When I asked him about the 'coil pack problem', he was completely unaware that there was a problem - and this at a time when significant numbers of 1.8Ts of all persuasions were off the road worldwide awaiting replacements.

i have a 2001 vRS and got all my coil packs replace by my dealer last month. i had no failures but they replaced them anyway. this was down to the really helpful niki as she put the bulletin on here. i mention it too them and showed them a copy and they then agreed to replace them

Jimmy , I had exactly the same problem , took my car in for it's first service and asked the service manager if he would check and possibly change the coilpacks as my chassis number was in the possibly affected ones . He refused to do this , but said if Skoda Customer services authorised it he would then do it .

After a few phone calls I finally got it booked in for a coilpack "check" .........took it in and within 1/2 hour all four were changed .

My dealer was initially a bit dubious, too, but I quoted the Service bulletin (copy here courtesy of LadyLoki) at them - especially the paragraph

"Additionally, we recommend you check ALL vehicles in used vehicle stock, and any customer vehicle in for routine maintenance and repairs for the latest ignition coils, any coils with index D/G/H should be replaced with the newer version Rod type ignition coils with index J or L are not defective and must not be replaced."

After a bit of humming and hawing, they agreed that this was a blanket instruction to change any suspect coilpacks they came across.

"don't worry about that , it only affects the vRS models"

What sort of response is that? Do you really want to continue to do business with a company that employs such an idiot? A service manager who doesn't actually know anything about the car he's servicing. What are the qualifications that mark out a candidate for Skoda Service Manager? Jeez... :confused:

Thanks for the replies and especially the link to ladylokis service bulletin - I checked my chassis number , it isn't in the range quoted , so I won't make an issue of it when I take the car in , still not very impressed with their answer though !