Hi Everyone,

 

I'm new to this site, My girlfriend bought a 162 2.0 Deisel Vrs with 93,000km (66 UK reg I think) 2 weeks ago from a main dealer Bolands (Ford, Hyundai, Volvo) drove home from Wexford to Cork approximately 200KM and the Engine overheated. 

 

Straight away we wanted our money but they said no hope of that. There was 7 days left on the Skoda 3 year warranty which was up on the 1st of July 2019. The dealer took 5 days before they brought the car to Skoda. They changed the water pump but not the timing belt. (They never gave us the option to change the timing belt). She got the car back last night at 18.30 on the 2nd of July. They drove the car 200KM back to us now there isn't a drop of coolant in the car. Is that normal? 

 

We never drove the car last night. When it was dropped back last night at 18.30 we checked the car again and 21.30 and the temperature gauge was still at 90°. We took pictures of the coolant and there was barely a drop in the expansion tank. Woke up this morning and there wasn't a drop of coolant in the expansion tank. I checked the engine and there was no visible leaks and underneath the car was dry. 

 

Now there is coolant warning lights on her. When she is idling for 60 seconds for temperature guage rises fairly rapidly. Do TDI VRS's engines get hot quickly? I think it's a disgrace a car we bought 2 weeks ago and had for less than 2 hours is doing this. We just want our money back but they won't give it to us. Any help advice would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome!

First of all, don't drive it in case the dealer tries to blame you for any damage. 

Did the delivery person drive it while it was overheating? Their fault if any damage. 

Also as far as I know it is entirely the dealers (where you bought it from) problem to put it right or refund your money. 

Is it really empty of coolant or just very low? You can top-up with tap water in an emergency, but deionized water is better and it should really be the VW-approved mix of pink coolant. 

1 minute ago, TDIum said:

Welcome!

First of all, don't drive it in case the dealer tries to blame you for any damage. 

Did the delivery person drive it while it was overheating? Their fault if any damage. 

Also as far as I know it is entirely the dealers (where you bought it from) problem to put it right or refund your money. 

Is it really empty of coolant or just very low? You can top-up with tap water in an emergency, but deionized water is better and it should really be the VW-approved mix of pink coolant. 

 

Thank you for the Welcome,

 

These people in Bolands in Wexford aren't the most pleasant to deal with (my recommendation stay well away). They don't open till 09.00 so I didn't get a chance to deal with them. 

 

The delivery driver could have drove it up overheated and choose to ignore it. We wouldn't be able to confirm that though. ( I won't mention the smell of 💩 in the car when we got it back).

 

Last night it was really low but now it's empty. 

Coolant expands when its hot so unless you have a puddle of it under the car I would guess there is some in there but not visible in the expansion tank. 

Maybe they just didn't put enough in after the pump replacement? 

Try topping it up as per the manual. 

10 minutes ago, TDIum said:

Coolant expands when its hot so unless you have a puddle of it under the car I would guess there is some in there but not visible in the expansion tank. 

Maybe they just didn't put enough in after the pump replacement? 

Try topping it up as per the manual. 

 

Thanks I'll try topping it up.

 

I got onto my friend that's was a Skoda mechanic and he suggested that there could be airlocks in the system after the Water Pump change. Seems like an apprentice mistake to make 😂

I still think there is more to it than an air lock.

https://www.theaa.com/car-buying/legal-rights

 

Re Consumer Rights Act:- "Under the new act, if a fault renders the product not of satisfactory quality, not fit for purpose or not as described, then the buyer is entitled to reject it within the first 30 days."

6 minutes ago, bigjohn said:

https://www.theaa.com/car-buying/legal-rights

 

Re Consumer Rights Act:- "Under the new act, if a fault renders the product not of satisfactory quality, not fit for purpose or not as described, then the buyer is entitled to reject it within the first 30 days."

 

There might be slightly different rules in Ireland than the UK. 

 

We already said to them it's not fit for purpose and they asked us to explain how exactly it's not fit for purpose.

We spoke to a solicitor and she told us that Bolands are within there legal rights to try and fix it the car 1st. (Which they haven't) 

 

Then we must submit a complaint with SIMI which costs €3000 they act as an mediator between the two parties if no resolution can be found then you can begin court proceedings. 

 

We want our money back. 

Didn't spot the fact this was bought in Ireland , try:-  https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/cars/your-rights-if-things-go-wrong/

 

When you say there isn't a drop off coolant in the car do you just mean the expansion bottle? The level on the picture isn't that low (just below min)  on the expansion bottle and may be due to a bit of trapped air after the pump replacement - the coolant looks a good colour as well- I'd say try topping up and see what happens.

 

If things are working correctly then your cooling system has been designed to get up to temperature quickly (90 on the gauge) and then it should stay there. This is to get the catalyst lit up and doing its job thus reducing emissions.

 

I changed the radiator on my sons Octavia a while ago and it took a while to get all the air out - had to run it up to temperature (fan running)  with the Filler top removed and with the engine off squeezed the rad hoses and the odd large air bubble kept coming to the surface for a while. It's been fine since.

 

One thing I would suggest is getting a full timing belt kit fitted fairly shortly - I'd never trust a timing belt that has been removed and re-fitted

 

49 minutes ago, bigjohn said:

https://www.theaa.com/car-buying/legal-rights

 

Re Consumer Rights Act:- "Under the new act, if a fault renders the product not of satisfactory quality, not fit for purpose or not as described, then the buyer is entitled to reject it within the first 30 days."

 

One thing that annoys me is whenever I read in any comments section "rip-off Britain". I often think these folk have never been outside our country. In many cases, the UK is one of the world leaders when it comes to consumer protection.

 

TeslaIreland - do you know how they arrived at that Eu3000 figure?   If you look at SIRI website that gives you a breakdown of costs.

 

https://www.simi.ie/en/consumer-help/simi-arbitration-scheme

 

Unless I've misread the document, you pay Eu159 to lodge a complaint. Siri then contacts the garage (Bolands are a member) and invite them to pay their fee. If they refuse to pay this, then SIRI will ask you to make their payment for the case to proceed. If you refuse to pay Bolands fee then SIRI will advise taking the matter to court.

 

What I haven't read thus far ( I'm not reading all the rules) is if the case is found in your favour, you're fees are paid for by the respondant? Seems more than unfair if they are not.

 

I haven't a clue about how Irish law works but I know you have a right for the goods you buy to work.  Most laws are based on what's reasonable. If I were you, I'd be tempted to go to a local garage and ask them for their opinion. If it's only a EU100 to resolve then given the distance of the seller and the SIRI fee,  I'd just let them fix it and forget about it.  If it's more than that, then I'd send the report to Bolands and tell them if they don;t resolve the issue then you'll take legal action.

 

Good luck

Edited 3 July, 20196 yr by Guest

I had the coolant problem on mine at around 38,000 2 years ago. They changed the water pump under warranty, and like you within a week had the low coolant warning.

Dealer topped up the coolant, and has been fine ever since.

 

Car has now done 88,000 and just had her 5 year water pump and timing belt change.

Edited 3 July, 20196 yr by WayTooTall
Added extra info

1 hour ago, Scot5 said:

 

One thing that annoys me is whenever I read in any comments section "rip-off Britain". I often think these folk have never been outside our country. In many cases, the UK is one of the world leaders when it comes to consumer protection.

 

TeslaIreland - do you know how they arrived at that Eu3000 figure?   If you look at SIRI website that gives you a breakdown of costs.

 

https://www.simi.ie/en/consumer-help/simi-arbitration-scheme

 

Unless I've misread the document, you pay Eu159 to lodge a complaint. Siri then contacts the garage (Bolands are a member) and invite them to pay their fee. If they refuse to pay this, then SIRI will ask you to make their payment for the case to proceed. If you refuse to pay Bolands fee then SIRI will advise taking the matter to court.

 

What I haven't read thus far ( I'm not reading all the rules) is if the case is found in your favour, you're fees are paid for by the respondant? Seems more than unfair if they are not.

 

I haven't a clue about how Irish law works but I know you have a right for the goods you buy to work.  Most laws are based on what's reasonable. If I were you, I'd be tempted to go to a local garage and ask them for their opinion. If it's only a EU100 to resolve then given the distance of the seller and the SIRI fee,  I'd just let them fix it and forget about it.  If it's more than that, then I'd send the report to Bolands and tell them if they don;t resolve the issue then you'll take legal action.

 

Good luck

 

After both parties pay the €159 the next step is as follows:

 

"Once the claimant has returned the completed form accompanied by the relevant documentation the Institute will write to inform the Respondent who has 21 days to lodge the Arbitrator’s agreed maximium fee of €1,300.00 plus 23% VAT i.e. €1,599.00. The Arbitrator’s fee is paid over by the Institute and consists of  €650.00 for a documents only arbitration wih a further €250.00 in the event of inspection of the vehicle and €400 if there is an oral hearing. These figures are paid plus VAT if the Arbitrator provides a VAT invoice and any balance remaining is returned to the Respondent at the end of the reference."

 

We also got an assessor to come take a look at the car before the garage took it away and he informed us Bolands are notorious for this kind of behaviour. That they have there own internal legal team and no one ever wins a case against them. 
 

1 hour ago, WayTooTall said:

I had the coolant problem on mine at around 38,000 2 years ago. They changed the water pump under warranty, and like you within a week had the low coolant warning.

Dealer topped up the coolant, and has been fine ever since.

 

Car has now done 88,000 and just had her 5 year water pump and timing belt change.

 

Did you have anymore air blockages after the coolant top up?

1 hour ago, bigjohn said:

Didn't spot the fact this was bought in Ireland , try:-  https://www.ccpc.ie/consumers/cars/your-rights-if-things-go-wrong/

 

When you say there isn't a drop off coolant in the car do you just mean the expansion bottle? The level on the picture isn't that low (just below min)  on the expansion bottle and may be due to a bit of trapped air after the pump replacement - the coolant looks a good colour as well- I'd say try topping up and see what happens.

 

If things are working correctly then your cooling system has been designed to get up to temperature quickly (90 on the gauge) and then it should stay there. This is to get the catalyst lit up and doing its job thus reducing emissions.

 

I changed the radiator on my sons Octavia a while ago and it took a while to get all the air out - had to run it up to temperature (fan running)  with the Filler top removed and with the engine off squeezed the rad hoses and the odd large air bubble kept coming to the surface for a while. It's been fine since.

 

One thing I would suggest is getting a full timing belt kit fitted fairly shortly - I'd never trust a timing belt that has been removed and re-fitted

 

 

 

Sorry that's my fault I didn't explain very well. I'm typing this in frustration and anger.

 

What I meant to say was there isn't a "drop of coolant left in the expansion tank" and there "isn't a drop of coolant on the floor or on the underbody cover"

 

You recommend:

 

1) topping up the coolant

 

2) Fan running (internal blower is it?)

 

3) Expansion cap removed 

 

4) Turn off the engine and squeeze the rad hoses?

11 minutes ago, TeslaIreland said:

 

Did you have anymore air blockages after the coolant top up?

 

Nope. Was rock solid after that. Which was good, as the day after did a 2500 mile roadtrip to Stockholm and back.

19 minutes ago, TeslaIreland said:

 

After both parties pay the €159 the next step is as follows:

 

"Once the claimant has returned the completed form accompanied by the relevant documentation the Institute will write to inform the Respondent who has 21 days to lodge the Arbitrator’s agreed maximium fee of €1,300.00 plus 23% VAT i.e. €1,599.00. The Arbitrator’s fee is paid over by the Institute and consists of  €650.00 for a documents only arbitration wih a further €250.00 in the event of inspection of the vehicle and €400 if there is an oral hearing. These figures are paid plus VAT if the Arbitrator provides a VAT invoice and any balance remaining is returned to the Respondent at the end of the reference."

 

We also got an assessor to come take a look at the car before the garage took it away and he informed us Bolands are notorious for this kind of behaviour. That they have there own internal legal team and no one ever wins a case against them. 
 

 

1: I read that in the SIMS link above but still can't work out how your solicitor came to a figure of EU3000. 

 

2: That's what your assessor told you?  Jeez.

 

Whether Bolands are notorious for this kind of behaviour or not is of no concern to you nor the assessor - concentrate on your problem, not someone elses. And if it were me I couldn't give a **** if they had the best lawyer in the world working for them, if the law is in your favour there is nothing they can do about it. Nobody ever wins a case against them - who told you that? Sounds like they've been watching too much Hollyood. It all sounds very much like old wives tales.

 

Did the assessor actually assess the car? What did they say the problem was?

 

In support of what others have said, not enough care was taken to remove the air from the system when refilling.

If possible, get a new belt fitted and ask the fitting garage to check the water pump has been replaced correctly.  Mine overheated a couple of weeks outside the used car warranty and I just forked out to get it done somewhere I trust.  An expensive pain but worth it for peace of mind on a car that is approaching 3 years old.  You then shouldn't have to worry about water pump or cambelt till the car is 8 years old.

1 hour ago, Scot5 said:

 

1: I read that in the SIMS link above but still can't work out how your solicitor came to a figure of EU3000. 

 

2: That's what your assessor told you?  Jeez.

 

Whether Bolands are notorious for this kind of behaviour or not is of no concern to you nor the assessor - concentrate on your problem, not someone elses. And if it were me I couldn't give a **** if they had the best lawyer in the world working for them, if the law is in your favour there is nothing they can do about it. Nobody ever wins a case against them - who told you that? Sounds like they've been watching too much Hollyood. It all sounds very much like old wives tales.

 

Did the assessor actually assess the car? What did they say the problem was?

 

 

650 + 23% VAT

400 + 23% VAT

250 + 23% VAT

1599

159

 

Almost 3K I say that's where she might be getting her figure. 

 

The assessor was sound. Said he would total back (he would want to we are paying him).

 

Irelands foundations are based on wives tales, rumours and here say. 

 

He said without taking the engine apart given the issues it's seems like the water pump. 

1 hour ago, MarkyG82 said:

In support of what others have said, not enough care was taken to remove the air from the system when refilling.

If possible, get a new belt fitted and ask the fitting garage to check the water pump has been replaced correctly.  Mine overheated a couple of weeks outside the used car warranty and I just forked out to get it done somewhere I trust.  An expensive pain but worth it for peace of mind on a car that is approaching 3 years old.  You then shouldn't have to worry about water pump or cambelt till the car is 8 years old.

 

Thanks, usually I bring it to a trusted friend but you presume because it's under warranty and a main dealer you are doing the right thing and it's going to be repaired to the highest standard. 

8 hours ago, TeslaIreland said:

 

 

Sorry that's my fault I didn't explain very well. I'm typing this in frustration and anger.

 

What I meant to say was there isn't a "drop of coolant left in the expansion tank" and there "isn't a drop of coolant on the floor or on the underbody cover"

 

You recommend:

 

1) topping up the coolant

 

2) Fan running (internal blower is it?)

 

3) Expansion cap removed 

 

4) Turn off the engine and squeeze the rad hoses?

 

Fan running - that's the radiator fan running meaning that it is well up to temp and thermostat(s) open - if closed they can trap air!

 

and yes turn the engine off first before squeezing rad hoses 

 

I suspect what you have seen is normal and it has not lost coolant - it's just displaced air! The level in your picture is not that far under min.

 

 

I'd still get the cambelt done soon though once this is sorted (if there is anything to sort!)

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 3 July, 20196 yr by bigjohn

I would top it up and stop panicking.  Sounds like there is some air left in the system.  I had to top up my coolant after water pump change. Been fine since.

I used to live in Wexford, you don't have 5 or 6 main dealerships and supply cars to the Hire Companies if you are dodgy.

I had an 02 Primera, did 50,000 mls and Brakes were starting to feel less capable. Bolands had an offer on of Pads and Discs for Eur200 or something,

I dropped it off for the day and at 4pm I went back to collect, had a bill for Eur59 as all that needed doing was clean and grease - I'd been driving the car in the UK a lot and the IE spec of car differed to the UK spec in corrosion resistance and there's not much Salt on Irish roads which had caused them to start to corrode, pads were only 30% worn probably due to the journey from Holyhead to the Midlands across SashaGrace country not needing much brake application!

Bolands are a decent family business in my opinion.

2 hours ago, donny1972 said:

I would top it up and stop panicking.  Sounds like there is some air left in the system.  I had to top up my coolant after water pump change. Been fine since.

 

Topped it up with coolant so far so good. 

2 hours ago, KevC_Derby said:

I used to live in Wexford, you don't have 5 or 6 main dealerships and supply cars to the Hire Companies if you are dodgy.

I had an 02 Primera, did 50,000 mls and Brakes were starting to feel less capable. Bolands had an offer on of Pads and Discs for Eur200 or something,

I dropped it off for the day and at 4pm I went back to collect, had a bill for Eur59 as all that needed doing was clean and grease - I'd been driving the car in the UK a lot and the IE spec of car differed to the UK spec in corrosion resistance and there's not much Salt on Irish roads which had caused them to start to corrode, pads were only 30% worn probably due to the journey from Holyhead to the Midlands across SashaGrace country not needing much brake application!

Bolands are a decent family business in my opinion.

 

I'm not dismissing your experience that's was your experience. Mine on the other hand wasn't so good.