Some of you may know that I have experienced a certain amount of shoddy workmanship on repairs done by a Greater Manchester dealer which shall remain nameless. The aircon vent that was "repaired" with a self tapping screw, and the wrong valve being replaced (and the removed one being left loose in the engine bay, causing damage to the bonnet) were apparently just the tip of the iceberg.

I was inspecting the fluid levels and topping up the oil today, when I thought I'd have a look at the dump valve, with the thoughts of seeing how hard it would be to DIY replace. However, instead of seeing nice shiny jubilee clips, I was horrified to see the valve being held in place with cable ties.

Now correct me if I'm wrong, but this just isn't a suitable replacement! Am I right or just being picky?

Oooohh Cable ties, quality job !

At least it makes a DV swap a 10 minute job

But, it is totally unnacceptable, they're not strong enough and will be affected by heat & cold, assuming they're PVC and not metal ties.

I'd kick up a right stink over it if i were you.

But, it is totally unnacceptable, they're not strong enough and will be affected by heat & cold, assuming they're PVC and not metal ties.

No, they're those crummy plasic ones.

I'd kick up a right stink over it if i were you.

Who with, though? I really don't want to go back to the dealer in question, even if they were the last Skoda dealer in the country.

Who with' date=' though? I really don't want to go back to the dealer in question, even if they were the last Skoda dealer in the country.[/quote']

Phone CS, if you think it'll get you anywhere.

Or just find another dealer and get it done properly.

Alternatively, go to B&Q and buy a few jubilee clips. Job done.

Rob, take a photo of the DV and cable tie fixings and send it with a letter of complaint to Customer Services. ETKA lists clamps for the DV, and those who have changed theirs know that the original metal clamps are a b****r to remove. Jabba used jubilee clips when they replaced my DV, and I would expect a dealer to use clips of a similar type if not those specified. Cable ties are a bodge job.

I'm going to replace the cable ties today. How tight should the jubilee clips be then?

I'm going to replace the cable ties today. How tight should the jubilee clips be then?

Tight enough so you can't pull the hoses off by hand

When the screw stops turning they're tight enough.

Don't be tempted to over-tighten them, as you can strip the thread on the clip and knacker them.

These are the clips. Do they look OK for the job?

Yep those'll do.......as long as they fit over the hoses and have a good fit.

These are the clips. Do they look OK for the job?

Look a bit small for the two main hoses, and maybe a little big for the tiddly one?

(If anyone wants to correct the terminology, that's fine by me )

Some of you may know that I have experienced a certain amount of shoddy workmanship on repairs done by a Greater Manchester dealer which shall remain nameless.

thought everyone knew horners has gone down the pan since gary left?

Rob, you have PM.

thought everyone knew horners has gone down the pan since gary left?

It ain't Horners, mate...

Ah, a "bank" of sorts? Thought you were sworn not to go back there again anyway after last time?

Rob.

Ah, a "bank" of sorts? Thought you were sworn not to go back there again anyway after last time?

I got them to do the job right (or so I thought) but it turns out the job was done rather less than right! Now it looks like that other Greater Manchester dealer isn't such a good choice either!

the other choice is just as comedy..... maybe all the dealers are crap these days...

Would appear so...

Horners Bury seemed alright, but I've only been to them for one warranty issue and a sales enquiry. That said, the service receptionist there is, I believe, related to Mr Horner himself, so it's possible her attitude is a little less lax...

Rob.

How are the dealers in Yorkshire? Halifax and Huddersfield aren't much further to drive to.

gorners in warrington ok for service...

Though for service you might as well just go to a good independent, as even if they're no better they'll certainly be cheaper...

Rob.