I purchased a used 2016 octavia (non dealer) about a year and a half ago. It is a 4x4 1.8TSI that I have been very happy with so far. It has now gone 114 000 kilometers.  But recently I have been hearing a noise from what I thought was the wheels. At low rpm it was sort of a rumbling sound, and at higher speeds it became more high frequent, almost like the centrifuge on a washing machine. The sound has become more and more noticeable, so I decided I had to get it looked at. I figured it probably was a wheel bearing. The workshop(a local one down the street), after having looked at it, said they didnt find any problems with the bearings, and that the sound seemed to come from the rear differential. And they told me it would cost 10 000£ for a new one. I could get a used one for maybe 4000£ (one that had gone 150-200 000km). Obviously I was a little shocked. 

 

Is it not strange for a differential to have to be replaced after only 114 000km? The car have a complete service history and has followed all service intervals at a licenced Skoda/VW brand dealer/workshop.

I have read online that a guy who used to work as a mechanic said that they once made a mistake when changing the Haldex oil, and that they drained the differential oil instead, which caused it to have to be replaced. 

My car last had service in september, and according to the service report they changed the Haldex oil then.. So I cant help thinking wether they have done something wrong here? What do you guys think?

 

I have booked an appointment at the Skoda/VW place to have them take a look at it. I have not said anything about the other workshops conclusion about the differential. I want to see if they come to the same conclusion before I do anything else.

 

Welcome.

 

Plenty threads on here were a professional or A N Other has serviced the Haldex and wrongly drained the diff.  Or wrong oils.

Yeti Section most commonly.

1 minute ago, toot said:

Welcome.

 

Plenty threads on here were a professional or A N Other has serviced the Haldex and wrongly drained the diff.  Or wrong oils.

Yeti Section most commonly.

 

If that is the case, do you think I should have someone "neutral" (not the Skoda place) check what kind of oil is on the diff(if any at all)? Im worried it would be easy for them to just say that "everything is fine her, we did nothing wrong"..

Yes, I think you should have an independent check it.

 

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/502314-scout-haldex-differential noise

 

Edited 19 January, 20233 yr by toot

I understand the haldex oil is supposed to be changed every 30k km. Is there a similar interval on the diff oil?

I had the differential oil changed at the last service, last year at 40k. I was advised that it should be changed every 40k or 3 years.

There is the issue. UK it is at 3 years / 30,000 miles as it has been for over a decade when Skoda followed a bit after VW having to do R,s at 4 years / 40,000 miles.       Places have it as pick a number any number then it gets repeated when the original person had no idea.    Ps. As to rear diff there are suggestion of at 90,000 miles.  But then a member was launching boats reversed into the sea.  Well the rear diff axle has no raised breathers like you might fit to an offroader.  Dunk a hot axle and you might just be wanting to change the diff oil more often than never. 

 

Skoda UK can not be bothered to have much more than stuff like this published.

The website has more showing Electric cars and hybrids but otherwise it is pretty much like this.  DSG not by years or all are @ 40,000 miles.

 

Edited 20 January, 20233 yr by toot

Ok so the Skoda place have looked at it now. As i feared the rear diff was a goner. They said there was metal shavings in the rear axle(?). Not sure i understood it completely, i am not very handy with this kinda stuff, but I got the impression it was in pretty bad shape. They said they had drained the oil, and that it was the right type and amount. I asked if the diff oil had been changed recently, but they said there was no interval for changing the diff oil. Only the Haldex oil had been changed.

 

So there we are. They told me about 10k£ for a new one. I cant afford that. I could get a used one, but then I had to buy one myself and they'd assemble it for me. I need help here, i have no idea what I need or where to buy it. They gave me the part number though: 0CQ525010S. Earlier part numbers: 0CQ525010H, 0CQ525010L

@J.R. might give some advice.

There are threads on getting a used rear diff. Yeti & Octavia Mk2 sections. 

 

I do not know this type of bridge well but is there no way to have it serviced?  Is there no 4x4 specialist near you?

Hi jobjor,

 

Looking at the story the easy option would be to drop 10k on a new diff and problem solved .Naturally the garage want to solve the issue but it's worth trying a few things first.

 

As the diff has no real service interval the oil in there may have been doing its job for 6 years and over 114000km. At the same time the teeth and bearing in the diff have slowly ground their way through life until a skoda tech removes the drain plug for the first time since it was fitted in the factory to be shocked that it has collected some gunk and metal flakes.

 

As the diff is rarely drained, and  not many skodas come with a rear diff there is a chance that what they are seeing is new to the technician too.

 

So the diagnosis is a destroyed diff and a 10k bill.

 

So my thoughts are:

Has the oil change done anything to the noise ?

Has anyone checked the guibo coupling between the driveshaft and the diff ? when they wear they can rattle and whine and are about £400 to replace.

 

I'm not saying it won't be the diff, but if you Google metal in diff oil there's plenty of examples where is is seen as common.

 

Fingers crossed for you !

 

Cheers

4 minutes ago, flecrocq said:

I do not know this type of bridge well but is there no way to have it serviced?  Is there no 4x4 specialist near you?

I doubt it.. If it is true that the diff oil was full of metal shavings, then it sounds like it was in bad condition and probably has to be replaced. I was a bit surprised to hear they hadnt changed the diff oil though. I thought there was a certain interval on that too, not only the haldex oil.

Hi 3rdoctavia,

Okay, so some metal flakes are apparantly not necessarily a sign of doom and decay? They didnt change the oil. they just drained it to check what and how much was on it. I doubt they checked the giubo coupling. They seemed pretty sure the issue was with the diff..

Now the car is stood there at the mechanic, with no oil on, whilst waiting for me to make a decision on where to get a new diff. I have been doing some searching on car part dealers around the country. Seems i can get hold of a used one for around 2000£. Then the mechanics will probably take 1000-1500£ to replace it. Do you think i can find a cheaper one on ebay or something? Not sure how much i can save after shipping, VAT, customs etc is paid

Edited 24 January, 20233 yr by jobjor

Hi,

I'd be tempted to ask them to refill with new oil and see how it goes but also ask them what the guibo joint is looking like.

 

An oil change might quieten the diff down.

 

I have a 2016 scout which has a bit of noise at the back which had a slight wine to it. I could also feel a slight clunk as I took up drive by feathering the clutch which turned out to be the guibo and I have ran it for 6months and haven't had it changed yet bit will do it at next service.

 

Like I said, it might be the diff, but I'd try the cheap options first.

 

Cheers

 

The idea of having very good oil replaced seems like a good idea to me, it will allow you to be able to drive while waiting to choose the best solution.  Who is the oil will perhaps work miracles .... I have already had the case on boxes with torsen which made a noise of horn muse and everything is back to normal with the right oil. . For the pieces of metal in view of the km it can be normal if the quantity is reasonable

Edited 25 January, 20233 yr by flecrocq

On 24/01/2023 at 15:17, toot said:

@J.R. might give some advice.

There are threads on getting a used rear diff. Yeti & Octavia Mk2 sections. 

 

I have been trying to look in the Yeti forums, but I am new here and not very good at navigating this site. I have not been able to find the threads you are referring to..

Sorry,

Neither did i as they are mixed in Haldex Servicing and failure threads, and then there are Mk2 Octavia diff failure threads.

Do not even think about refilling with fresh oil and hopeing for the best.

 

The original diff oil if drained after 120000kms (as I did by mistake just like the goon who did your haldex service) will be as clean as a whistle and look like it was only poured in 10 minutes before, that is how well constructed and understressed these differentials are.

 

Until some goon drains the wrong fluid and then tops up the Haldex fluid leaving the differential with just a few drips splashing around, then it will become black and charred within a few miles but still maybe saveable, touch would mine was and 2 years later aside from a little whine its still ok, if you drain out any metallic particles then its game over.

 

On 19/01/2023 at 20:57, jobjor said:

The car have a complete service history and has followed all service intervals at a licenced Skoda/VW brand dealer/workshop.

 

On 24/01/2023 at 15:04, jobjor said:

They said they had drained the oil, and that it was the right type and amount.

 

Well they would (say that) wouldn't they!

 

For Jobjob, that was a phrase immortalised during a 1960's sex scandal.

Yeah, i have realised i must replace the damn thing. Question now is where i can find a reasonably prized used one. Here in Norway it seems i can get one for about £2k. (Plus £1.5k for the work). There is supposed to be some threads about where to buy used ones, but I cant seem to find them.