60K or 4-Year Service

Remember the chain issue? It was replaced at 60k service in central Skoda garage for free (as it should) after 2 year guarantee was over.

Recent papers from new owner. Total 2,100 NIS.

Bonus.
60K service for 1.4 engine for Fabia with manual transmission.
Fact it's more expensive - 2,200 NIS. Looks like our friends in Hagoren garage in Netanya make more money on same parts :-)

59 115 km | 3Y 4M

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!

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

30K or 2-Year Service

As always, I bought Valvoline SynPower 5W-40 from Alon Halafim for 200 NIS few days before service.

And called to Hagoren garage to schedule a service. They told me to come in a few days - was busy week for them.
Alexander took my car and replaced oil and oil filter, checked other things, made a compliment about good care of the car (I washed engine few month ago) and in 30 minutes all was done.

Total spent 574 NIS...

Need to replace brake fluid in Jan 2013 - each 2 years.
Also I replaced air and fuel filter at home, will post later more details.

29 900 km | 1Y 7M

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...

Wastegate actuator fix

Recently I found at several forums that some guys was in garages for so called "recall".
RECALL לרכבי פולו TSI (Heb)
Fabia recall - March 2012

I called to Hagoren garage and asked if I need to visit them. Yaniv said yes, I need to come to do something, but it's not a recall, it can be done at next maintenance visit. I said I will come tomorrow at 11.

As I was already know that it related to wastegate actuator I made some "before" pictures.

Wastegate actuator

So I drove to garage, meet my friend Alexander. As I understood, some drivers experienced turbocharger issue when it wasn't working while they driving but after stopping and then starting engine everything was fine. Skoda issued following solution: spacer washer to wastegate actuator. Sounds ok, let's go.

By the way, I meet there Stefan Barda, the seller guy. I told him that Radio Milano wanted to install not original speakers and I declined this bullshit. He said that will check it.

In few minutes Fabia was inside waiting for her turn. Technician came, connected testing computer. He also explained to me what he going to do.

This is that spacer washer, 2 mm thickness.

03F 145 371 A - spacer washer

Installing spacer washer also requires a ECU update.

The installation takes about a minute.
Video and photo of process were removed by request from garage manager.
Explanation post here.

After that, it's important to calibrate actuator by command from service computer.

The last step is to put sticker in a luggage compartment where spare wheel and car sticker.

That's it!

Wastegate actuator with spacer washer installed

Upgrade feelings - I don't no, I not felt something changed.

Useful links
Skoda Garages (Heb)

21 747 km, 1Y3M

Dust and pollen filter

Wanted to check and change dust filter today. This is the filter I bought from garage - 6Q0 820 367 dust and pollen filter (name from ETKA)

Packaging

VW 6Q0 820 367 dust and pollen filter

And this is the filter I pulled out from my car - 6R0 819 653 pollen filter with odor and harmful substances filtration (name from ETKA).

Side look

VW 6R0 819 653 pollen filter with odor and harmful substances filtration

As we see they are not the same, in garage they didn't tell about second type, originally installed in my vehicle. The filter was dirty. I went over it with vacuum cleaner and put back. Need to find where I can buy the same and return the new one to Skoda. I think it's a good idea to replace it every 30K kilometers, and if i'll find it cheap, will replace now.

15K or 1-Year Service

I came at 9:15 and finished at 11:00.

What was done:
1. Engine computer was updated with latest firmware. As far that I know, update related to complains that sometimes engine stalled when starting moving. I never experienced that by myself.
2. I've asked to change "convenience turn signal" from 3 to 4 times. I feel always that I missing just one more light when changing lines, making light turns. It took techinians to figure out where this hided in their service computer :-) I guees, noone ever asked about that before. Moving to other stand...
3. A service man pulled out old oil filter and put a new one. It was a good decision to stand with my car this time. Because I noticed that new filter looks strange. There was "Asal Technologies" or something like that written on it. I took a packaging and it was made in Turkey. What a fuck? I asked to pull out from trash old one. Techinian started to explain that it is the same, they always install such filters. But the old one was made in Germany and has VAG logos. So I went to the warehouse to ask what is just happend right now. Stockman reacted like everything is normal, and when I explained, he says "sorry, that is mistake". Gave us original oil filter. I bet they could change the filter and took money as for original with easy. Ok, filter changed.
4. We (yes, now I was looking precisly what he is doing) lifted the car, opened the drain plug. Oil was very-very black, and this is just 7500 km. We replaced drain plug with the new one. He asked why do I need that, it's almost the new... I didn't explain.
5. He inspected brakes: disks and pads were like new.
6. Lowered Fabia, I gave him new oil with 3.5 liters mark. That's why I had a pleasure experience sucked up extra oil back when they put all 4 liters. In manual and ELSA said it should be 3.6 liters. I'll better add if need later by myself.
7. Took out air filter, cleaned with air and also it's housing.
8. All other luquids were in their level ranges, nothing added.
9. Fuel line rattling not fixed. Will fix by myself.

Overall, 15K service costs me 568 NIS: 368 NIS to garage for work and 200 NIS for my oil. Took around 1 and a half hour.

Skoda Fabia 15K service bill

Also, don't forget your car book, they should also mark there.

Skoda Fabia 15K service mark

I also bought from them original dust and pollen filter 6R0 820 367 for 133 NIS. Not original costs around 75 NIS.

Skoda Fabia dust and pollen filter bill

Odometer: 14,595 km.

First oil change

It happened. Picture and video missing (soon)...

So I came at 9 to Skoda Hagoren garage at Netanya. Alexander took the car, I gave him Valvoline oil and went to waiting room.

In 25 minutes all was done. Old oil was black as they told (sure, why not).
Work price is 139 NIS, original oil filter - 139 NIS.

Impressions from first ever service in Skoda.
Garage are cool. They have open WiFi spot with Internet and I was able to connect to workplace via VPN. Nice friendly people having fun.

In guarantee booklet they did not singed because that is for planned (15K km or year) services. Also there is no word about what type of oil was filled, only "synthetic customer's oil" - not cool, cause with this you can't proof what you used. But whatever, may dash cam was on and I got a funny videos there :-) Next time I will ask to write oil  spec into the order.

After they drain off all oil they pour in all 4 liters - that is a mistake. As you can find in ELSA and owner manual, you need only 3.6 liter (including oil filter). The result of that was above the maximum level - this can damage catalytic converter. But nobody answered me why they do that. Actually, they wanted from me to bring 4.4 liters - donno why. So when at evening after work I withdraw dipstick, oil was oil was ~0.5cm above the max. I drove home carefully. Next day morning, I sucked out with syringe about 150 ml. Will keep an eye on it next few days to normalize the level.

Another strange thing is that when you screw out oil drain plug for this engine - you should replace it with new one. That is what you can find in maintenance operations in ELSA and I saw that also in some SSP document. They used old plug. When I will find that instructions, I will go to garage to see how that happened.

Also they topped coolant for 1 cm above the maximum line.

Document scan.

Odometer 6 967 km.