I've had my Superb 2017 2.0tdi L&K from October 2020 and getting well over 64mpg on reasonable journeys. Now just had my timing belt with water pump replaced. Then had 300mile trip achieving 69.8mpg, next morning showing a critical warning ⚠️ of "check coolant level - empty" filled up with roughly 2L of coolant.

Car then started flat spotting for no reasons without warning and at different speeds and low mpg of 45-48. Advised garage who carried out the work check over car with no issues of their work, but they did as a good will gesture connect to their diagnostic which showed a error code related to glow plugs 1&3(lead plug). Garage advised that replacing plugs would make a huge difference to the low mpg. Still not achieving descent mpg as prior to timing belt change.

 

Hoping someone can help here as a long shot.

Just done a trip from Elgin (North Scotland) to Glasgow Airport and back on a full tank of diesel when normally under half a tank???

13 minutes ago, NanoNeo said:

Garage advised that replacing plugs would make a huge difference to the low mpg.

Which garage? This certainly does not look like Victoria Garage's work (Maud, AB42)

Hi there 👋 ,no it was a local garage in Elgin near where I stay 🫣

1 hour ago, NanoNeo said:

Hi there 👋 ,no it was a local garage in Elgin near where I stay 🫣

Well, I think they have <censored> this up, in spades!

Sorry 🤔

What would be reasons be for the above symptoms 🧐

I'm trying to understand 🫣 the fall in mpg due to the timing belt and water pump replacement 🫣

But you reported an initial decrease in fuel consumption after the cam belt change:

 

2 hours ago, NanoNeo said:

getting well over 64mpg on reasonable journeys. Now just had my timing belt with water pump replaced. Then had 300mile trip achieving 69.8mpg

 

If that was the case then any subsequent increase in fuel consumption is likely to be something else but I strongly disagree with the suggestion that faulty preheat plugs will make any difference to the MPG let alone a great difference, maybe, just maybe in the first 30 seconds after a cold start but not thereafter.

 

But for the above a drop in fuel economy after a cam belt change is indicative of them incorrectly setting the cam timing, I'm not sure if your engine will report "Torsion Value" in VCDS but that is a good way to check, otherwise its down to looking at the timing marks, or checking the inlet and exhaust valve clearances to either side of TDC on the firing stroke.

Thank you 🙏

Pre replacement of TB+WP was always getting  'I thought!', great mpg Elgin to Aberdeen 67mpg.

Post replacement of TB+WP, day after travelled from Elgin to Aberdeen then to St.Andrews 67mpg. 2nd day ⚠️ check coolant level "Empty" which I got coolant, add 2litres as I drove about had flat spots while driving.  Wife thought I was stalling car at 60mph then pulling away from a roundabout 30-40mphish that's when I noticed 47mpg, best so far after plugs being changed by garage 52-54mpg

Hope this description helps 🤞

 

I wouldn’t be concerned at slight drop in mpg, it’s getting colder. No idea how you’re getting that high mpg though, I only get about average 43mpg on a long run according to the computer  

I'd be more worried about the flat spots and getting the garage to do a full check of their work. Sounds like they missed something. Either no water and it's damaged something running dry or the water they put in has gone somewhere it shouldn't.

3 hours ago, NanoNeo said:

Now just had my timing belt with water pump replaced. Then had 300mile trip achieving 69.8mpg, next morning showing a critical warning ⚠️ of "check coolant level - empty" filled up with roughly 2L of coolant.

Good chance like most that dont follow the correct procedure they didnt run the manufacturers vent coolant routine which purges all air from the system and after your drive that air bubble has finally released and hence the need for 2 extra litres.

3 hours ago, NanoNeo said:

Advised garage who carried out the work check over car with no issues of their work, but they did as a good will gesture connect to their diagnostic which showed a error code related to glow plugs 1&3(lead plug). Garage advised that replacing plugs would make a huge difference to the low mpg.

Im not saying you do or dont have mpg issues. But glowplugs will make little to no difference to mpg... at all.

 

Now if you have flat spots and a lack of power then id be asking for the timing to be rechecked NOW. If your timing is slightly out then fine they can correct it, but if your pulley has slipped then it will only slip further... just me airing on the side of caution but id be wanting the timing rechecked, its not a massive job for the garage. 

17 minutes ago, Danoid said:

I wouldn’t be concerned at slight drop in mpg, it’s getting colder. No idea how you’re getting that high mpg though, I only get about average 43mpg on a long run according to the computer  

Hi I've driven from Elgin to family in Ayrshire and a good day drove to Brentford in London and actually got 69.9mpg always on Eco setting 🤫

15 minutes ago, Danoid said:

I wouldn’t be concerned at slight drop in mpg, it’s getting colder. No idea how you’re getting that high mpg though, I only get about average 43mpg on a long run according to the computer  

 

12 minutes ago, ApertureS said:

Good chance like most that dont follow the correct procedure they didnt run the manufacturers vent coolant routine which purges all air from the system and after your drive that air bubble has finally released and hence the need for 2 extra litres.

Im not saying you do or dont have mpg issues. But glowplugs will make little to no difference to mpg... at all.

 

Now if you have flat spots and a lack of power then id be asking for the timing to be rechecked NOW. If your timing is slightly out then fine they can correct it, but if your pulley has slipped then it will only slip further... just me airing on the side of caution but id be wanting the timing rechecked, its not a massive job for the garage. 

Hey 😎 thanks for advice, I've tried but owner said they do about 4 a day of these type of engines they'd used locating pins that stop everything from moving and did apologize for admin error not advising me to check coolant level after work carried out 🫣 I've just trusted the mechanic who work on my car 😩

Thank you to everyone who has and will add a thread to this post.

My school boy error was not taking it to my nearest Skoda Service dealership in Inverness

Who already messed up upgrading my brakes disc and pads to Brembo Max with fluid.

13 minutes ago, NanoNeo said:

my nearest Skoda Service dealership in Inverness

Not taking the car to Arnold Shark is not an error.

2 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

Not taking the car to Arnold Shark is not an error.

Ah 🤭 it's not Arnold C for sure, I meant Hawco Inverness Skoda 🫣

In the future you want to go to The Victoria Garage in Maud for proper mechanics to do a proper job.

Skoda techs with all the gear and more than ideas.

Edited 5 December, 20223 yr by toot

34 minutes ago, NanoNeo said:

 did apologize for admin error not advising me to check coolant level after work carried out 🫣 😩

 

Ummm, no! You pay someone to do the work and they should do the work. Go and ask for a discount if they are going to get you to do some of the job.

 

If all it was is a bit of missing coolant then you got away with it. Although if you are genuinely getting a big change in mpg you need to have it checked out.

@NanoNeoi read your post in the other thread that you got this resolved.  

It does makes all the difference when there are mechanics around that know what they are doing. 

The EA288 engine can be a nightmare getting the air out. There is a special process in ODIS that takes 900 seconds and this uses the main and auxiliary pumps to get the air out of the intercooler and still fails, I did one on a Golf 7 GTD on Wednesday that another garage were fighting and I started from scratch with a blown clear system (MQB heater matrix...) and put in 6 litres of G12 Evo mix, did the bleed, ran the car up to the fans coming on and it still took another litre, then it came back yesterday, it had gulped the 1/2 litre top up I gave him and need another litre.

Just to save the OP typing this again.

 

 

2 minutes ago, Crasher said:

The EA288 engine can be a nightmare getting the air out. There is a special process in ODIS that takes 900 seconds and this uses the main and auxiliary pumps to get the air out of the intercooler and still fails, I did one on a Golf 7 GTD on Wednesday that another garage were fighting and I started from scratch with a blown clear system (MQB heater matrix...) and put in 6 litres of G12 Evo mix, did the bleed, ran the car up to the fans coming on and it still took another litre, then it came back yesterday, it had gulped the 1/2 litre top up I gave him and need another litre.

Yip 👍 exactly what Victoria Garage Maud tech said, it’s a process the garage never followed when at worst a water cup worth 125mls to 150mls and the fact they were crazy enough to removed a electromechanical pump with shroud for a Graf PA1360-8 Water pump (mechanical non-shroud).