Fabia in Garage - Need some Advice Plz

[mali]

Hi Guys & Gals,

My Furby's in at the Skoda dealers at the moment and I could do with some advice.
Probably best if I give you my cars spec and the story of what has transpired.

Ive got a W reg Fabia Elegance 1.4 16v which I bought privately about 18 months
ago. When I bought it a used catalytic converter was thrown in as the previous user
was told the exhaust was on its way out.



Well over the last week or so my Electronic Engine management light has come on,
then on Saturday on the M25 the EPC (Engine Power Control) light came on and the
cars top speed was limited and wasn't at all constant. needless to say I got off the
motorway and headed home.

Yesterday I took my car into the Skoda dealers in Isleworth (Marlborough) for them
to take a look at. Well after some time they came to the conclusion that the 'mapping
sensor' that was to blame and would need replacing. This would cost me a total of £259
including tax (they told me the sensor costs £118).

Well today they called me to advice that they replaced the sensor, but it didn't make any
difference. Upon closer inspection they found that the catalyctic converter had disintegrated
and had gone into the back box damaging that also. This they said to repair would cost me
a total of £900!! When I told the guy I actually had that part albeit used he said they could
fit that and it would only then cost me a total of £228.

My questions are as follows....

1. Is the Catalytic converter above the correct one?
2. I take it the one I have pictured above doesn't include a back box?
3. How much should I expect to pay for the back box if they say that I need one?
4. Do you think overall I have been overcharged & should I just take my car to a 'private' mechanic?

Thanks in advance for any help or advice

Mali

[Lummox]

I take it you havent paid for the pressure sensor then.

[mali]

Hi Lummox,

No I haven't actually paid anything yet as I told them I would bring the catalytic converter to them tomorrow. The guy said I wouldn't be paying for the sensor, the quote of £228 is for labour and the tests done and fixing the cat. converter/ back box

Mali

[mali]

Originally Posted by Lummox

I take it you havent paid for the pressure sensor then.

Do you mean the mapping sensor that they mentioned or are you talking about
something else? They told me that they removed the new mapping sensor after
realising it made no difference

Oh and any answers on my questions anyone, I'm going into the dealers tomorrow so
I'm a bit desperate for advice.

Thanks

Mali

[mali]

Hi,

OK after some searching on the internet I have now learned that I am in possesion
of the catalytic converter part of the Fabia's exhaust system. As I previously mentioned the dealership said that the catalytic converter has destroyed itself and
in turn has ruined the back box.

I found the following diagram....



and going by the prices on the website where I found this all the other parts of the
exhaust system (excluding the cat) can be bought for a little under £100, I wonder
how much the dealership will quote me!!?

I'm starting to think it might be better to take my Fabia somewhere different?

How much should I expect to pay for labour per hour?

Come on guys I'm going in tomorrow.

[Stuart_J]

Only bit of advice I can give you is that if you end up looking at having to buy a new cat then look at a complete custom exhaust by Blue Flame or similar, it might well be cheaper. I bought a complete custom system for my Octy with a sports cat for about £600, found out later that the cat alone for the Octy was £900

My thoughts would be that now the car is with the dealer & he has worked on it already you will be getting some kind of bill so you might as well get him to fit the parts you have BUT ask him to check that they are OK before he fits them. He cant guarantee them but he should have sufficent knowledge to give an experienced view. He seems a reosnable guy to agree to fit secondhand parts, many wont entertain it

Hindsights a wonderful thing but main dealers I gather often charge Labour rates in the region of £60 per hour wheras independants are a lot less BUT you need to find a good independant so worth researching one for the future, If you post the question on Briskoda or any of the VAG forums asking for one in your area someones bound to know someone.

[EddyH]

If the £228 includes for diagnostics supplying a new back box and fitting of all parts I'd say it's very reasonable. I don't think taking the car elsewhere would save anything as you will still have to pay the dealer for the work done so far and it's likely you would have to pay to have the car transported as I doubt it's roadworthy in it's current dismatled state.

[mali]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your replies.

If the £228 includes for diagnostics supplying a new back box and fitting of all parts I'd say it's very reasonable. I don't think taking the car elsewhere would save anything as you will still have to pay the dealer for the work done so far and it's likely you would have to pay to have the car transported as I doubt it's roadworthy in it's current dismatled state.

I dont think that price included the back boxes, but I will find out this afternoon
when I call them. Anyone guess how much they might charge for the back boxes?
I've found them for under £100 as I mentioned in my previous reply, but I doubt
the Skoda dealers will be as cheap.

I'll update in a couple of hours.

Thanks again

mali