In December 2024, the belt connecting various components on my engine started to fail.

I called out the AA who diagnosed an A/C problem (the pulley was jamming) and very helpfully fitted a new belt that bypassed the A/C pulley.

When I got home I took my car into my local Skoda Main Dealer.

They replaced the A/C Compressor, belt, etc. at over £1,000!

The work was covered by a two-year parts and labour guarantee.

I don't use A/C as a general rule but I happened to be carrying a baby on a child seat on one of the hottest days of the Summer - the A/C didn't work.

I took the car back to the Skoda Main Dealer. They carried out a diagnosis which cost me £150 an decided that I needed a replacement A/C Pressure Switch.

They claim that this is not covered by the warranty and want to charge me another fortune to supply and fit it.

I am going to get the work done by a local garage which employs skilled mechanics and doesn't rip me off.

What I need to know is what the part number is for a replacement A/C Pressure Switch and where I can buy it.

Also

The Skoda Main Dealer failed to replace the spark plugs which (when I collected the car) they said needed replacing - I thought that was a standard item on a service.

In the past I have used Denso SKJ20CR-A8s - are these still the recommended replacement and from where can I order them?

ps - I will definitely NOT be buying another Skoda.

https://www.lllparts.co.uk/catalogs/skoda/CZ/FAB/697/2/260/260041

Linked page shows two part number options for the pressure sensor (item 14) depending on date of manufacture.

I'd be mildly sceptical about their diagnosis, because just low refrigerant level will give a fault code for G65, which is that sensor.

For spark plug info, we'd need to know your engine code.

If you can find that, you can probably look up the relevant part numbers yourself by going up and down levels on that same website.

Edited 22 October, 202522 Oct by Breezy_Pete

You will need the correct engine code to get the right switch , try a seach on LLL Parts .com even if you don't buy from them you can usually get the part number and try a seach for that part, the only downside of LLL parts is the delivery cost they charge £3.00 for a small order itenm then £8.95 delivery charge as it is usually from Germany and you might wait upto 2 weeks for delivery, you will also need a re gas of the system but a decent garage usually tkes the gas out holds it in the machine then replaces it back in the car of course at a cost, blaming the car by sayingg i'll never buy a Skoda again us a bit foolish come on over ten years old, you made the fatal mistake taking it to the dealers as I have said on here before once out of warranty avoid the dealesr at all costs they just rip you off

The problem you had with the AC is mainly your fault as you should run the air con at least once per month in summer and winter to keep the pump and the pump clutch in working order, it also keeps the air seals soft as once they dry out you will loose the gas out of the system, I have a TSI 3 cylinder engine in our Skoda and found the Platinium tipped plugs the best and they last around 4 years before needing replacement , sorry not much help but there it is

Thanks for that ~Breezy_Pete & Murdockman.

I would be more than "mildly sceptical" about anything that Garage came up with. Over the past many years I have had a variety of cars serviced by a great Independent; sadly the Owner retired a couple of years back. I have subsequently gone back to using a rip-off Skoda Main Dealer, largely to get any ECU updates and for the purpose of having a reasonable Service History record.

The year of manufacture of the Car is some time in 2012 or 2013, I believe that the engine is a CTHE, it has never been replaced - sadly, like most Twinchargers it does use a certain amount of oil.

To be honest, I was not aware that I needed to run the A/C once a month although I do now know that makes sense; the Hot & Cold water pump for an attic conversion that I no longer use failed recently when friends came to stay - the plumber who replaced it made exactly the same comment - I now shower upstairs every few weeks ;)

Do you mean "Platinium tipped plugs" or Iridium? As I said, I have used Denso SKJ20CR-A8s since first I had the car serviced by an Independent - I just wondered whether they are still the #1 recommendation.

Once again, many thanks for your speedy help.

Correct Platinium tipped spark plugs although not as good as the iridium plugs are suited better to the Skoda range of engines, Denson plugs are fine but don't seem to last quite as long why I do not know they are usually a cheaper option but i have found now that the petrol grade has changed a lot of cars run a bit sweeter with the Platinium tipped spark plugs but they are a bit more expensive but last longer, the iridium spark plugs do run a bit hotter and could possably cause an engine fault, as i said I have the TSI engine and only need 3 plugs these were priced from Skoda at £96 pounds each!!!, they sell on ebay for around £40 to £50 for a set of 3 but i used aliexpress and bought 6 plugs with delivery for £38 so it was well worth waiting a week or so for delivery, they were genuine NGK plugs the same as when the car was new, the old ones when changed still looked good but after 3 years i did change them when i did my own service after the watrranty had run out, wasn't goiung to pay over £400 for a service at the dealers

I believe your compressor is a clutchless design, which has variable displacement controlled by a proportional solenoid valve. This has been the case from day one of Fabia production, back in the previous millenium. A small proportion of refrigerant circulates all time the engine is running, even when the A/C system is switched off. So the need to run it regularly to keep things lubed etc has no basis in reality.

It's also not true that refrigerant will need to be removed and replaced for a pressure sensor change; there's a valve under the sensor that prevents significant loss during such a change.

@Evolution13 is likely to have info about recommended spark plugs on a CTHE. I could tell you the suggested OE part number, but I doubt you'll be buying genuine Skoda items.