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

Fuel tank date

Another few dates were found during oil change.

6Q0 201 085 A - fuel tank

Add caption

and 6Q0 825 237 R - sound baffle

23 300 km | 1Y 4M

Wheel valve

Found one more date stamp while cleaning wheels :-)

You can see all post with manufacture dates by it's tag - manufacture-date.

Changing wheels around

Today I went to change wheels around. Here is the quote from manual ("Wheels and Tyres", p.175)

Changing wheels around
If significantly greater wear is present on the front tyres, we recommend changing the front wheels around with the rear wheels. You will then obtain approximately the same life for all the tyres.
It may be advantageous to swap the tyres over “crosswise” when certain types of wear characteristic arise on the running surface of the tyres (but not in the case of unidirectional tyres). Specialist garages are familiar with details.
We recommend that you change the wheels around every 10 000 km in order to achieve even wear on all wheels and to obtain optimal tyre life.

The more important than doing this is to replace tyres one in 2-3 years. Because as time passes they are drying, even if your tyres looks ok. Dry tyre means longer stopping distance, worse road grip and so on.

So... I decide to do this recommendation, odometer says 20 kkm. And I decided not "crosswise" but "swap front and back" - easy version ;-) I got second lifting jack from a friend a day before.

Procedure (refer to manual's "Breakdown assistance" for details)
1. Pull off all bolt caps with plastic clip.
2. Slackening wheel bolts a bit, do not remove.
3. Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is clear of the ground.
4. Unscrew bolts and place them on a clean surface.
5. Take off the wheel (better with gloves).

Before cleaning

With RIM7 Wheel Cleaner and Mothers Wheel Brush I cleaned calipers and wheels from inside.

After cleaning

Wheels were dirty too.

Before cleaning

After

These are Atria wheels, that have code 5J0 601 025 B, but in accessories catalog they have another code CCH 700 006 donno why. More detail photos

Part code and details

Manufacture date is November 2010

Made in Czech Republic

AlSi7Mg alloy

Now when wheel is clean and dry, I applied Poorboy's Wheel Sealant and went to remove front wheel. After cleaning caliper, I fitted clean wheel.
1. Fit on wheel, tighten the wheel bolts slightly
2. Lower the car
3. Tighten the wheel bolts firmly, alternately and diagonally using the wrench
4. Insert caps onto the bolts

The front caliper

After cleaning

It took me 1.5 hour to replace right side and then I saw that rain is coming :-( That was expected from weather forecast but it was sunny when I started :-) Will continue tomorrow morning.

Important to know
- If you replace only 2 tyres, always put new on the back, check video New tires Front or Rear.

Air filter inspection

Last week I was thinking about K&N performance filter for my Fabia. Actually, you need a set:

• Round Air Filter E-2997
• Recharger Filter Care Service Kit

And I already found a place to buy here in Israel - pitstop.co.il. We negotiated the lowest price 360 NIS for filter and 90 NIS for care kit (instead of 400 and 120). From eBay you can get the same for about 300 and 100, so 450 NIS is a good price here. But, after some research I found this article Can a better air filter improve fuel economy? We'll find out... with all comments there and I start to doubt. It's very simple, less resistance means bigger holes and more dust come to engine. May be other engines are good with that, but 1.2 TSI should be so sensitive and I decided to wait with purchase.

Original 6R0 129 620 A - air filter costs 185 NIS in Skoda's garage, I can bring same for about 100 NIS. It should be replaced every 60K km or 4 years. I went to check condition of mine that went through 16K already. And it looks fine, I think I will change it around 30K.

6R0 129 620 A - air filter - after 16K km

Outside inspection

Inside inspection

See also
Proven eBay seller for K&N filters
K&N filter discussion on local forum (Russian)

Simple manufacture date check

I got mine at January 2011, but I know it was build at November 2010, so that was dots says on this plastic cover.

Engine number and CBZB model characteristics

The engine number (“engine identification character” and “serial number”) is located on the engine directly above the joint separating the engine/gearbox.

In addition, the “engine identification character” and the “serial number” are indicated on the vehicle data sticker -arrow- which is located on the air guide pipe.

- As of letter “C”, four-digit engine identification characters are used.
- The first 3 digits of the engine identification characters refer to the displacement and the mechanical construction of the engine. They are type-punched together with the serial number on the cylinder block.
- The fourth digit indicates the output and the torque of the engine and depends upon the engine control unit.

Skoda 1.2 TSI 77kW engine characteristics

Reading material

Skoda engines overview

VW The TSI Engine Environmental Commendation

1.2 TSI

Audi Self Study Programme 485 - 1.2l TFSI engine

Skoda SSP 74 - 1.2 TSI 77kW (RUS)

VW SSP 443 - 1.2l TSI engine (RUS)

1.4 TSI - sometimes similar (read smart!) but with more details comparing to 1.2 TSI docs

Audi Self Study Programme 491 - 1.4l TFSI engine with Dual Charging

Audi Self Study Programme 432 - 1.4l TFSI engine (RUS)

VW SSP 359 - 1.4 TSI with Dual Charging (RUS)

Skoda SSP 68 - 1.4 TSI (92kW) (RUS)

Update (2013-03-29)

Added engines overview and Audi SSP in English.

It's interesting, same SSPs about same 1.2 TSI engine but every make (Audi, Skoda and VW) has some more details. Example: at Audi you can see construction of charge pressure actuator and different states with thermostats, etc. When looking on all of them you build big picture. I think Audi has the best SSP than others.

Update (2013-11-17)