skoda octavia1.6 TDI Cr elegance - limp mode

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Wed 28 Jun 2017 20:34
skoda octavia1.6 TDI Cr elegance - limp mode - guinnessdave

Hi, I have had a glow plug light on for some time. I put the car into the garage for service and MOT today. They said the EGR valve needs replacing for about 800 quid. When I picked the car up and left the garage (as they were closing) the car was gutless, max 2600 revs. Spoke to the service manager and he said it was due to the EGR putting it in limp mode. Too much of a convenience for me. Could anything have been done during service to bring this on ? Greatly appreciate any feedback.

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Wed 28 Jun 2017 20:40
skoda octavia1.6 TDI Cr elegance - limp mode - RobJP

No, sounds about right.

These engines are notorious for EGR and injector problems - even more so if you've had the emissions 'fix' carried out.

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Thu 29 Jun 2017 08:36
skoda octavia1.6 TDI Cr elegance - limp mode - 33754k
Aren't VAG group now replacing EGR for free. Especially if you have had the emission fix

Suggest you join "the Volkswagen Diesel customer forum (emissions scandal)- loads of good advice there

Cheers
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Thu 29 Jun 2017 10:32
skoda octavia1.6 TDI Cr elegance - limp mode - 33754k
++ meant to say that forum is on facebook
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Thu 29 Jun 2017 11:19
skoda octavia1.6 TDI Cr elegance - limp mode - skidpan

Hi, I have had a glow plug light on for some time.

When you get a light on the dash its means trouble. Read the manual and it will tell you what to do. It will NOT say "leave it until the next MOT".

Warning lights are not there for fun, its not a game. You don't have to get 4 in a line before acting.

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Thu 29 Jun 2017 11:40
skoda octavia1.6 TDI Cr elegance - limp mode - Railroad.

Don't take a relatively new modern car to an independent garage. They have little or no access to factory technical information and support and their diagnosis will be based on mostly guesswork. Use a main dealer. It may cost a bit more but you should at least have comeback. Also unless you are doing proper mileage then dump your diesel car in favour of a petrol model. Expect expensive trouble with modern diesels as they get older unless you use it properly.

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Thu 29 Jun 2017 12:24
skoda octavia1.6 TDI Cr elegance - limp mode - SLO76

Don't take a relatively new modern car to an independent garage. They have little or no access to factory technical information and support and their diagnosis will be based on mostly guesswork. Use a main dealer. It may cost a bit more but you should at least have comeback. Also unless you are doing proper mileage then dump your diesel car in favour of a petrol model. Expect expensive trouble with modern diesels as they get older unless you use it properly.

Couldn't agree more. A lot of the problems people have with complex modern motors like this are caused by poor maintenance or neglect. I've been in the trade for over 20 years and the practices at some of the smaller garages I've used for jobs in the past never cease to horrify me. It's not a big worry on a simple old school diesel or normally asperated petrol, thus the reason why so many survive into old age but anything complex requires exactly the right spec oil and the manufacturer service schedule followed to the letter. Most of these wee garages bulk buy oil in large drums which is then fired into every motor that comes through the door, often they used poor quality oil filters with no non-return valve and they don't have access to manufacturer technical bulletins advising on common faults and how to avoid them. For example the Mk II Renault Clio bonnet catch issue. Cars maintained by dealers were checked and lubricated properly and rarely went wrong but backstreet and fast fit workshops rarely did so resulting in countless cases of bonnets flying up at speed and a number of unpleasant accidents. If you can't afford to maintain your car at a main dealer then use a genuine brand specialist, if you still can't afford this or don't have one nearby then don't buy a complex car. Stick with a basic non-turbocharged petrol.

Edited by SLO76 on 29/06/2017 at 12:32

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Thu 29 Jun 2017 14:46
skoda octavia1.6 TDI Cr elegance - limp mode - Railroad.

I started in a Vauxhall dealership back in 1980, and was there when cars first had engine management systems with self diagnosis in their masses. Back then independents could survive, and did so by blagging their way day to day. Not really knowing anything, but finding their way as cars came out of warranty. Older cars kept them in business. Now though with technology advancing all the time you can't get by without proper knowledge, and you can't do a proper job on a modern car unless you know and understand what you're doing. It isn't about just having the right equipment either. It's about having access to manufacturer support, technical information, training and updates. This are all things independents don't have. Like it or not the days of small independent garages are numbered.

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Fri 30 Jun 2017 14:21
skoda octavia1.6 TDI Cr elegance - limp mode - guinnessdave

Thanks for all the help, incidentally I spoke to the main dealer as soon as the lights came on (glow plug and emissions light) and was advised to carry on unless there was any difficullty starting or in performance as they were probably just error codes.

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Fri 30 Jun 2017 14:53
skoda octavia1.6 TDI Cr elegance - limp mode - SLO76

Thanks for all the help, incidentally I spoke to the main dealer as soon as the lights came on (glow plug and emissions light) and was advised to carry on unless there was any difficullty starting or in performance as they were probably just error codes.

If the main dealer said this to you then the member of staff concerned was taking rubbish and was negligent in their duty to you. Any warning light should be investigated as soon as possible. A fault could get worse and turn into a catastrophic failure, possibly destroying the engine.
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