Champion Motors (re)call

No Fabia but still plenty to say :-)

Follow up on recent post about chain issue.
My guess that Champion Motors thinks that their car owners are stupid idiots and that is why...

A friend of mine called two days ago to Champion Motors - official VW AG importer in Israel.
He read few links that I've sent him regarding chain issue (before my post) and decided to check what happening in Israel.

Phone conversation:
Friend (F): Calling to customers service *6363.
F: -  Hello I hear strange metallic sounds on cold start from bonnet. It can be related to widely known problem with chain.
Champion Motors (CM): - If there is Check Engine lamp is on?
F: - No.
CM: - We don't know about any issues related to chain. The only known recall is about DSG transmissions.
F: - But in other countries is known issue.
CM: We will check and come back later.

It was in morning.
In the evening he got call from Champion Motors:
Tali (T): Hello. What kind of problem do you have?
Friend (F): I hear strange noises from bonnet when starting engine. Does chain replacement covered by guarantee?
T: We just got instructions 30 min ago about chain issue and this is covered by guarantee. Please, go to Skoda service for checking. Also, service garages not yet received this information, so if replacement should be performed and you have money issues, please call me 073-257-5236 personally.

Oh common...
Earliest TPIs dated from April 2012 and you just got instructions 30 minutes ago...
And services not aware of...

I say BULLSHIT! :-)

Update (2013-11-28)
Chain replacement without guarantee coverage will cost 2,900 NIS (~$800). Including VAT and labor. Checked in Skoda service in Haifa.

Another man recently did chain replacement on Skoda Yeti 1.2 TSI. Instead of 4 hours it took only 2.
They did not recorded chain sound as they usually do and send to Skoda for verdict.
And another chat with clowns from Champion Motors. When chain was replaced, garage called to customers service to ask about price and who will pay...
Customers Service (CS): - Is this a good client?
Skoda Garage: - Yes.
CS: - So all on us - parts and labor. Free for the client!

So if you a bad customer (like me, probably :-) - prepare 3 grands of new Israeli shekels... But as I know from forums, replacement not always helps and issue can come again after a while.

Skoda Hagoren garage fail

Forgot to tell you guys. Think twice if you go to Hagoren garage in Netanya, official Skoda service station.

If you remember, a while ago I got cruise control kit from Russia that I wanted to install on Fabia. But because of safe on ECU and work needed to be done with wiring, removing air-bag and steering wheel I decided to do that officially at Hagoren in Netanya where I was several times (and each time something fun :-). Where the manager says "who brings his own meat to the steak bar" about bringing oil for service. Such a fail, but now about other thing.

So I made an appointment at 19 Feb 2013 7:30 for fitting cruise control with Alexander Lamberski. I came, give him CC set, he said that's the right items and I went home waiting for his call. He said it will take few hours.
At around 12:00 I got a call from Ituran that ECU was disconnected, they track such cases because that's what thefts do when stilling cars - replace ECUs with donors blocks to bypass immobilizer. And around 13 I called to check how is going, he said car is ready and waiting for me with cruise control installed.
I came happy, paid 700 NIS without checking the car.

Grabbed the keys and turned engine on, put 1st gear towards home... And was curious why speedometer is not working and car reacts very strange on gas - feeling was it getting more fuel and more powerful.
I turned back to Garage. What a fuck? I asked them what's wrong with the car. They took it inside like it what should be happened, no test drive. They knew something was wrong. They connected to VAS and was making feeling that they do something until 16 when they closing garage and asked me to come next day at morning. And said you can safely go home.

I drove home. Car was strange. I guess because speed indication was failed ECU was thinking it's always at idle and washing fuel like waterfall all the way. Car got such a boost, but RPMs was limited to 4000. Another indication that it's idle mode.

At home I connected with VCDS and was shocked. There were errors and bad readiness.
Wednesday,20,February,2013,13:20:40:37412
VCDS Version: Release 11.11.0 (x64)
Data version: 20111111

Readiness Status: 0110 0101
Exhaust Gas Recirculation: Passed
Oxygen Sensor Heating: Failed or Incomplete
Oxygen Sensor(s): Failed or Incomplete
Air Conditioning: Passed
Seconday Air Injection: Passed
Evaporative Emissions: Failed or Incomplete
Catalyst Heating: Passed
Catalytic Converter(s): Failed or Incomplete

Engine was working in open loop O2 sensor. No fuel corrections. I didn't go that day to work because of car issues, I was need to drive to Haifa.

Next day morning 20 Feb 2013 I came at morning for checks. Another day spent for nothing. I remind, I already paid for work done. After their manipulations with VAS, I checked and saw the same picture with errors. I asked to put back electronic module without cruise control. And it worked perfectly again. For my notes that probably you have to call to central Skoda garage or Czech Republic (you fucking official Skoda, you should have communication support channels) to make it work I got reply that they know what they doing.
We decided to wait and try again when I will come back from Russia in March.

14 of March 2013. I gave them car at 8:30 till they called me and said to take it. When I came, they, sorry, Alexander said me in the face that my cruise control set that I got from Russia is broken and that is the issue. We put the old PCM in place and I went home. 3rd working day to trash.

At home I made a decision to go to central Champion Motors Skoda garage. I didn't believe that my set was broker. Appointment was made to 2nd of April 2013. I took the risk to spent more money but get it done.

Forgot to mention, as I got dashcam all was filmed in garage too. Their test drive is 200m from garage gate to intersection and back - you can't even test cruise control in that condition, because you need to spin wheels to  least 30 km/h to activate it.

So I came to Petah Tikva at morning. Explained again the issue. Steering wheel selector was already in place, all wirings too. Only PCM was not working. This time I took my working laptop and guy who met me Valery even gave me personal room that was empty that day, not their lobby and waiting room. I was happy. But it turns out that it will take more and more time. From dashcam later I saw that all work was done probably in 2-3 hours but because of lunch and car movement and some guys checking things it was spread to whole day. At 16 I got my Fabia with everything working... except second keys set. Yes, always bring second keys set if you know that there should be some work for remapping electrical units. Unfortunately, Skoda technicians already gone but lucky me on second floor was Audi garage and they called someone to register my second keys with the car.

I paid for this 477. And I was happy. Valery even went with me for test drive t check that everything is working. We did few kilometers test to insure it does. I would recommend that garage. I also liked how car flow is planed inside.

But... Next day I jump by Hagoren to say hello to Alexander, he was on lunch. A left him note with two paychecks. And few days after their receptionist called me to come get money back - 477 NIS.

But nobody called to explain or sorry for what they did. That's 3 work days I left there. I can't let them to work on my car without me, sorry.

That's a huge fail. I don't know what they can do right, actually. On first service they replaced original VW oil filter to some cheap shit, I was around and saw this and they put new original one. Probably only print invoices...

And last thing for today. When you install something in your car like cruise control set, check your insurance policy for options. In mine from Phenix, I can add additional equipment and insure it for free up to 7.5% of car cost. That means, you should take offer from garage for installation cost, send it to your insurance (agent or company) and if, unfortunately, car will be stolen, you will get your extra 3,179 NIS for cruise control too! Worth it!

Approved oils list

VAG oils approved lists. These are updated from time to time.
VW 502/507 https://erwin.volkswagen.de/erwin/volkswagen/files/oil/step_50200_50500.pdf
VW 504/507 https://erwin.volkswagen.de/erwin/volkswagen/files/oil/step_50400_50700.pdf
Saved copies (PDF): 502, 504.

UPDATE (2016-04-24)
I found that above links changed. New ones below:
https://erwin.volkswagen.de/erwin/downloadStaticFile/volkswagen/files/oil/step_50400_50700.pdf
https://erwin.volkswagen.de/erwin/downloadStaticFile/volkswagen/files/oil/step_50200_50500.pdf
END OF UPDATE

Champion motors has it's own list.
This one is old, dated 2011-07.
Champion Motors Israel approved oil list

But on their site http://champ24.co.il/#oil, you can find up-to-date list. I don't know how often they change it. It's also best working in Internet Explorer, so I guess they don't care too much. And sorting is crazy, definitely zero care about users, car owners.

This is list as of today (2013-08-17)

VW 501.01/505.00
Wolf Masterlube GTS B4 SAE 10W-40
Liqui Moly Super Leichtlauf SAE 10W-40
Meguin Megol Motorenoel Syntehc Premiun SaE 10W-40
Champion Superlube SL/CF B4
Castrol Magnatec Professional A3 SAE 10W-40 (PAZ)
Agip Sint 2000 SAE 10W-40
Delek Motorsynth SV SAE 10W-40
Castrol GTX A3/B3 SAE 15W-40
Rowe Super Leichtlauf HC-O SAE 10W-40
North Sea Lubricants Wave Power SL SAE 10W-40
Aral Blue Tronic SAE 10W-40
Chevron Havoline Diesel Extra SAE 10W-40

VW 502.00
Fuchs TITAN Supersyn SAE 5W-40
Shell Helix ultra SAE 5W-40
Cepsa Star Synthetic SAE 5W-40
Liqui Moly Leichtlauf HC 7 SAE 5W-40
ESSO ULTRON SAE 5W-40
Wolf Masterlube Synflow SAE 5W-40
Rowe Sy nt RS-i SAE 5W-40
MOBIL 1 SAE 0W-40

VW 505.01/502.00/505.00
Sonol Synt 505.01 SAE 5W-40
Eurol Turbo DI SAE 5W-40
Paz Lubricants & Chemicals Ltd Top Paz SAE 5W-40
Fuchs TITAN GT1 SAE 5W-40
Delek-DELKOL MOTORSYNTH TDI SAE 5W-40
Gulf Formula ULE SAE 5W-40
eni i-Sint MS SAE 5W-40
Wolf Masterlube Synflow PI SAE 5W-40
Castrol Magnatec Professional B4 SAE 5W-40
BG synthetic engine oil SAE 5W-30
Meguin megol Motorenoel New Generation 5W-30
Valvoline DuraBland Diesel SAE 5W-40
Liqui Moly Longtime High Tech 5W-30
Mobil Syst S Special V SAE 5W-30
Cepsa XSTAR TDI SYNT SAE 5W-40
Champion Syntolube PI SAE 5W-40
SWD - PRIMUS DXM SAE 5W-40
Redoil Italia Challoils SAE 5W-40
ARAL High Tronic SAE 5W-40
Motul Specific 505 01 502 00 505 00 SAE 5W-40
Chevron Havoline Ultra SAE 5W-40

VW 506.01
Mobil SHC Formula LD SAE 0W-30
Liqui Moly Synthoil Longtime Plus SAE 0W-30
Castrol SLX Professional Longtec Longlife II SAE 0W-30
eni i-Sint tech SAE OW-30
Elf Evolution CRV 0W-30
Fuchs TITAN Supersyn LONGLIFE PLUS SAE OW-30
ARAL Super Tronic Long life III SAE 0W-30
Chevron Texaco Havoline Synthetic 506.01 SAE 0W-30

VW 507.00/504.00
Swd Rheinol Primus LLX SAE 5W-30
Castrol Edge Professional Longlife III SAE 5W-30
Eurol Syntence SAE 5W-30
Gulf Formula GVX SAE 5W-30
Paz Lubricants & Chemicals Ltd Paz Extreme 507.00 SAE 5W-30
Castrol SLX Professional Powerflow Longlife III SAE 5W-30
Fuchs TITAN GT1 PRO C-3
Mobil 1 ESP formula 5W-30
Meguin megol Motorenoel Compatible SAE 5W-30
Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 SAE 5W-30
ARAL Super Tronic Long life III SAE 5W-30
Rowe HIGHTEC ECOSYNT Longlife III SAE 5W-30
Champion Syntolube Longlife III SAE 5W-30
eni i-Sint SAE 5W-30
Shell Helix Ultra AV-L SAE 5W-30
Valvoline SynPower XL-III SAE 5W-30
Motol Specific 504 00 507 00 SAE 5W-30
Wolf Masterlube Synflow Longlife III SAE 5W-30
Delek Delkol-Synt Longlife PCMO SAE 5W-30

Dashboard instrument cluster

Another post on friends request. This time about instrument cluster.

Friend complained that he washed interior of his 1.4 MPI Fabia and accidentally split some liquid inside instrument cluster glass (plastic) that was somehow already with sort of crack near buttons.
He went to official Skoda garage Hagoren and they said they can order new plastic for... 350 NIS (300 + 18% VAT) and replace it (work not included in price).

Suck it, Skoda Israel!

 1: 5J0 920 810 E - instrument cluster multi function indicator (since 2010-11-08), $160
1A: 5J0 919 137 A - glass cover plastic, $19.00
 2: N 906 986 06 - hexagon socket head panel bolt, 4,2x16, $0.08
 4: 8Z0 820 535 - ambient temperature sensor, $14.81
 8: 6Q0 971 918 A - plug vehicle speed sensor, $3.36
Prices from Exist.Ru

$20 dollars is fair price, it's 80 NIS top. Ok, double it, delivery... WTF 350? I haven't official offer for that, but that is what my friend told me after visiting them.

I suggested to order from Czech Republic from Alexander for that price plus couple bucks for delivery.

Now, how to replace. Very simple, follow the instructions, no need to remove steering wheel.
Removing and installing the dash panel, PDF
Removing and installing the dash panel insert, PDF
Replace transparent washer of the dash panel insert, PDF
All work is about 1 hour max.

More docs related to steering column, not required for plastic replacement.
Removing and installing driver airbag unit, PDF - not touch if not sure!
Removing and installing the steering wheel, PDF

Some more photos from my dashboard disassembly.

5J0 858 565 - trim for steering column - upper

6Q0 953 503 EE - steering column multi-switch - top

5J0 920 810 E - instrument cluster - front

5J0 920 810 E - instrument cluster - back

Hello Champion Motors

Thursday (29th) morning I got an incoming call on my mobile.
The man on the other end said that he is from Skoda garage Hagoren and asked me why I published the post about actuator upgrade. I don't remember his name but as he talked to me and by his conversation tone I think he was THE BOSS.

The questions were:
- Who gave you permission to record people in my garage?
- Who gave you permission to record videos and make pictures?
- Who gave you permission to post about it on Facebook?
- Who gave you permission to post the things you don't understand?
and so on...

I guess, that's what happened. I post a comment at CarsForum about my garage visit with link to explanation post. Somebody from Champion Motors read my comment, followed to my post, didn't like it, called to garage manager, manager called to me.

I can understand that filming in the garage pissed them off. So I apologise to Champion Motors and Hagoren staff especially the technician guy because he didn't saw that I was filming. I was filming what happening with car (that I own), not a garage or their business or whatever.

As I talked with the boss on mobile, I immediately closed access to videos and to the blog post until we discuss it in details. I don't want to hurt anybody. View counts were less than 10 for each media, almost nothing.

After lunch, I called him again because I want to come and talk in person about this situation and understand where this butthurt is coming from. He said there is no need to come there is nothing to talk about. Ok whatever :-) I opened the post with removed videos from garage. Also in that talk he said that he didn't saw my post, he only heard about it from Champion Motors.
He promised that their advocates will contact me, so it could me more fun later :-)

I should mention this guy is a man of analogies. I think he has strong sales background. This remind me another situation and I 99.9% sure that it is that guy. Everytime we talk he always made up analogy situation when I always an idiot.
I was helping to my friend in January to get his new Fabia 1.4L in Hagoren garage as I did this before with my car and know how it goes and where to put eyes on. That time I meet that man (the boss) in garage with Tzahi (sales guy, works with Stefan). I don't remember exact conversation but we switched to maintenance topic and I said that I bring my oil with me, because I'm not sure what they put in, especially Delek oils (maybe oils are ok, but not about it). And he asked me: if you go to a steak bar, did you bring the meat with me too? Hahaha... On that same moment I marked him with bold red X.

So... to finish this.
I like Hagoren garage, I talked with several people there - great guys and professionals. Alexander Lambersky that meet clients - great person, always explain things, helping - hard to find such people. I even have mouse pad from them! :-)

But this man... poor guys. Or may be I'm wrong...

Champion Motors *6363

I got this card with my new car. This is 24/7 Champion Motors service for VAG car owners. Backside says that I can get:
- Technical support for any question or problem regarding the car
- Wheel changing and fuel filling service
- Towing vehicle service
- Help in small problems starting the car
- Navigation to any destination in the country
- Traffic information and re-navigation
- Fuel station, pharmacy, ATM locations and more
- Weather information, currency rates and more

This Friday I was looking for some security stuff and decided to check if they can help me.
So I called *6363 and a girl answered me. She said that regarding security questions an authorised person will call me back on Sunday and checked my details. She knew from my mobile phone number who I am and what kind of car I have - that was nice.

But till now nobody called me back...
Also, there is an asterisk saying that they can stop providing the service anytime. I hope it will be available for at least 2 years of car's guarantee.

G12 plus plus

I meet today a friend of mine in VW garage in Netanya and bought a bottle of original coolant to be in the just in case - 1.5L for 65 NIS.

What was on labels

Suitable as a filled-for-life filling.
G12plus plus distinguishes itself through the miscibility with the products G12 and G12 plus. Provides protection against frost, overheating, corrosion and scaling. It is recommended to use this product all-year round. To be used as described only.

Harmful if swallowed. If swallowed, seek medical advice immediately and show this container or label. Keep out of the reach of children. Keep away from food, drink and animal feedingstuffs. Do not breathe vapour. Avoid contact with skin. Dispose of this material and its container to hazardous or special waste collection point.

For me was also a new that coolant should be mixed with tap water in 1:1 proportion, I thought that it's ready to use. Actually, that's very smart, check the manual:

The coolant which you use for replenishing the system, must comply with one specific specification. Do not use an alternative additive if the coolant additive G12 PLUS - PLUS is not available in exceptional cases. Just top up the system with water and as soon as possible arrange adjustment to correct the mixing ratio of water and coolant additive again by a specialist garage.

You should always have a bottle of water in the car. It's useful to wash hands in a field or... rescuing your engine from overheating and damage. When level is extremly low and you havent G12, add a water, but remember how much you filled (say, 0. liters). Keep an eye on temperature and get closest garage or service and add same amount of G12 - 0.5 liters to get right proportion back.

Also, small tip. Never, I mean, NEVER buy oil or coolant at petrol stations.