Would you have thought that after building and designing cars for many years, ease of accessibility during maintenance would be a factor. Whether us or a Skoda technician the ease of replacing filters and spark plugs cannot be rated as easy on the difficulty scale. My Roomster 1.2tsi for example, to replace spark plugs you have to remove razor-sharp metal covers of which cylinders 3 and 4 are situated behind metal shielding with millimetres of free space. The cabin filter involves sliding a tight slide while carpet burning elbow flesh on the passenger mat. Replacing the air filter is so tedious unscrewing too many screws and lifting up the airbox cover only to release the bayonet fitted air filter and the risk of damaging the pcv valve. The power steering reservoir cap is under the battery so that has to be removed to check or top up the reservoir. The oil filter is inverted so a chance of residue oil coating the alternator with oil beneath. Not surprising servicing costs are so high when based on an hourly basis and servicing accessibility not simplified. I know that technicians are doing it day in day out but these engines are not good to work on when having a bad day. Perhaps I have had a bad day!!

Maybe .... ease of servicing is the opposite of what the designers want? If servicing is more difficult the dealers can charge for longer service times?

 

Cynical? Yes!!!

Often a car is designed from the outside in, meaning the engineers have to figure out how to fit everything into whatever whacky design that the designers have come up with.

On 29/07/2021 at 10:27, PetrolDave said:

Maybe .... ease of servicing is the opposite of what the designers want? If servicing is more difficult the dealers can charge for longer service times?

 

Cynical? Yes!!!

Exactly! All engineered to bring you back to your dealer. They don't make them easy anymore!

It is easy enough for the fitters with a NVQ at dealerships to replace parts the same as any competent DIYer can, or sometimes just to tick as checked and just ignore the more difficult stuff.

You don't need to remove the heat shield to remove the spark plugs. You just need the correct tools, a proper lead plug puller and either a T bar 16mm plug spanner or better a Thin wall 16mm spark plug socket.

 

Agreed you can save 5 mins if the air filter cover was clipped, but not really a big problem undoing 4 screws.

 

Pollen filters really are easy to change.

 

Your 1.2tsi at least has the oil filter on top which with the right tool is easy peasy to remove. And the sump plug is easy to reach with only a little lift from your spare wheel jack on the drivers side which is needed to slide an oil catch can.

 

Later EA211 engines are far more difficullt with oil filter down low, need to remove the under cover and jack up to access. And engine hardware to remove to access plugs and more complex air filter housing arrangement.

 

 

Edited 5 August, 20214 yr by xman

Having recently replaced my plugs I was reluctant to buy a special tool so made one myself from a 0.5m long piece of 20x2mm of ally bar.

 

Folded it in half, bent a 25mm 90deg angle on' the bottom then cut/filed a slot in it to fit around the top waist of the plug cover.

 

For extra pull I drilled a hole in the top to put a screwdriver through.

 

Did the job quickly and efficiently.

 

 

Saw a Youtube video of removing the spark plug covers using cable ties. Wrap cable tie around the shoulder of the cover, pull tight and wind the cable tie upwards around a spanner to pull of the cover.

I have started to do servicing again like the old days. I resent paying Skoda, now £105 for plugs when I can buy the NGK plugs for £16 odd quid each. I have changed the oil with Redex engine oil, half the price of Castrol, Shell etc and it is C3, VW504, Porsche C30 5W 30W spec. If it is good enough for Porsche it is good enough for me. I have observed this oil has eliminated the occasional chain rattle on a cold start. I have not been able to find who blends this oil - perhaps someone on here might. Parent company is Holts.

17 minutes ago, edbostan said:

Saw a Youtube video of removing the spark plug covers using cable ties. Wrap cable tie around the shoulder of the cover, pull tight and wind the cable tie upwards around a spanner to pull of the cover.

I saw that too, seemed like more of a palava than making a tool!