[Rajeev1]

Background : I own a Skoda Fabia 1.4TDI which has clocked 70000 kms as on date. All the services so far have been done at the Skoda ASC at Mumbai – previously at JMD and more recently at the Senator Motors workshop at Kandivali (at 67000 kms). The car runs perfectly fine and gives me an average of 16 kmpl in Mumbai and 18kmpl on highway runs. The car is self driven and in the true spirit of a Bhpian, I prefer driving safe.

Issue: An issue which has cropped up recently (over the last 3000 kms) is as follows. The clutch pedal has become perceptibly hard. It requires more strength to press the clutch and this extra effort is especially taxing during peak traffic hours. Please note that at the same time there is no drop in performance and the clutch works normally. I discussed this with my ASC service advisor and he advised a clutch overhaul. To allay my fears, the advisor also mentioned that hardening of the clutch would not result in clutch failure or some such sudden breakdown and I could drive the car normally till the time I decided to bring her in for a clutch overhaul. As mentioned earlier on this thread, the estimate for a Skoda ASC clutch overhaul for a Fabia is around Rs.50000.

I request the valuable inputs of fellow Bhpians on this issue with a view to find answers to the following questions:-
1)What is the reason for the hardening of the clutch pedal?
2)Is the clutch overhaul recommended by Skoda ASC advisor necessary?3)Is the clutch hardening an early warning sign for some impending breakdown?
4)In case a clutch overhaul is required, what are the reliable options outside of Skoda ASC?

[aayushnair]

Originally Posted by Rajeev1

I request the valuable inputs of fellow Bhpians on this issue with a view to find answers to the following questions:-
1)What is the reason for the hardening of the clutch pedal?
2)Is the clutch overhaul recommended by Skoda ASC advisor necessary?3)Is the clutch hardening an early warning sign for some impending breakdown?
4)In case a clutch overhaul is required, what are the reliable options outside of Skoda ASC?

Hi,

I own the new Fabia who's pretty young at 27000 odd Kms, a Skoda service advisor too told me my clutch needed replacement and quoted a cost of Rs. 65000/-
I rubbished his claims as the clutch on my car works fine (touch wood) doesnt feel hard and depresses with the same ease it used to when new.
So I'm not surprised with a 50k damage that the SA has quoted for an overhaul.

To answer your questions:
1. Please go through this, will explain a lot about clutch wear and tear - http://auto.howstuffworks.com/clutch2.htm
2. Have your car clutch tested by another driver/known mechanic who can provide non-biased feedback. Sometimes driving another diesel car too can help in understanding if your clutch is really feeling hard. If the answers to the above is yes, It's better to get it overhauled/replaced.
3. Clutch hardening is part of normal wear and tear that occurs in cars. Depending on the material a clutch is made of and the way the car has been driven the clutch wear will differ from car to car. Hardening of the clutch should not lead to any other breakdown, only difficulties in pressing it down and changing gears AFAIK.
4. There are lots of mechanics who will be able to fit genuine skoda parts for you outside the Authorized camp. You can also order parts online and these do come cheaper (including shipping) than what you spend for them here, but you'll need a mechanic to have them fixed or a deal with Skoda to fit them (which I dont think they'll agree with).

Hope the above helps.

Cheers,
Aayush.

[21Archer84]

Originally Posted by aayushnair

Hi,


4. There are lots of mechanics who will be able to fit genuine skoda parts for you outside the Authorized camp. You can also order parts online and these do come cheaper (including shipping) than what you spend for them here, but you'll need a mechanic to have them fixed or a deal with Skoda to fit them (which I dont think they'll agree with).

.

The online purchase you are referring to is from an Indian site or internationally shipped from sites like ebay and amazon? Can you provide some references of Indian websites as I'm looking to purchase some stuff and not from International websites.

[aayushnair]

Originally Posted by 21Archer84

The online purchase you are referring to is from an Indian site or internationally shipped from sites like ebay and amazon? Can you provide some references of Indian websites as I'm looking to purchase some stuff and not from International websites.

Hi,

I was referring to international websites mate! Ebay India rarely has any parts on sale online (for Skoda).
I've done the math a few times, but havent really purchased a part, it does work out cheaper.
The only thing i've ordered for my car online from parts.skoda.co.uk is matching tune up paint. I found it really good and worth the purchase, it cost me only Rs.850/- including shipping for an entire kit.

On the other hand many team bhpians have bought parts from superskoda.com.

Cheers.

[Avid trekker]

I request the inputs of fellow Bhpians on the following queries on Skoda Fabia:

1. Any specific service to be done after 30,000 kms? If yes, what are the points to be considered i.e. what parts to be replaced?
2. Understand wear & tear of brake pads is a normal phenomenon. But, what is the typical shelf life for front brake discs & brake pad?
3. What is the typical cost involved for front brake disc & brake pad replacement?

[aayushnair]

Originally Posted by Avid trekker

I request the inputs of fellow Bhpians on the following queries on Skoda Fabia:

1. Any specific service to be done after 30,000 kms? If yes, what are the points to be considered i.e. what parts to be replaced?
2. Understand wear & tear of brake pads is a normal phenomenon. But, what is the typical shelf life for front brake discs & brake pad?
3. What is the typical cost involved for front brake disc & brake pad replacement?

Hi,

To answer your questions:
1. You can check the service booklet, it tells you exactly what will be checked/replaced after 30k kms. It will be the likes of the fuel filter, air filter, ac filter, oil change etc.
2. My Fabia's brake pads were replaced at 27K kms, and it totally depends on your driving style. Usually a shelf life of 30-35k kms should be expected, but then again under unrealistic conditions. It would be best to check the available thickness and have them replaced around the 30k mark.
3. I'm not sure if you'd required a disc change so early, a cleaning would suffice. I've had my brake pads (both front) changed for Rs.2296/- at Skoda.

FYI - the 2nd service at 30k is a paid service, labor is paid for! they're very expensive!

Hope this helps.

Cheers.

[Avid trekker]

@aayushnair: Thanks for your inputs. Do you have part no / invoice for the brake pads replaced?

[21Archer84]

Originally Posted by Avid trekker

@aayushnair: Thanks for your inputs. Do you have part no / invoice for the brake pads replaced?

I've had my Brake Pads and Disc changed couple of months ago. Cost charged for Brake Pads- Rs. 3814.84(set of 2) and Brake Disc - Rs.1932.11(each) excluding labour.

Part No. - Brake Pads - 1J0698151G & Brake Disc - 6R0615301.

[aayushnair]

Originally Posted by 21Archer84

I've had my Brake Pads and Disc changed couple of months ago. Cost charged for Brake Pads- Rs. 3814.84(set of 2) and Brake Disc - Rs.1932.11(each) excluding labour.

Part No. - Brake Pads - 1J0698151G & Brake Disc - 6R0615301.

Thats really weird my Brake pad part no is 6R0698151A and total cost of the pads was Rs. 2296/- including labor and vat!!

When I searched online for all the 3 part nos (including mine) they're all correct. Only thing I noticed is the ones you've got (brake pads) were for the Fabia MK4 version.

1. Is your Fabia the pre-facelift model?
2. Both the parts are OE for Audi, VW, Skoda & Seat - do you know of any difference?

Only Skoda can answer!

Just to clear the air - I had checked the install of the new pads, the new box and the old set were handed over to me as well.

I'm attaching a pic of the bill for reference -



Cheers,
Aayush

[21Archer84]

Even am surprised with such variation in price. Mine is a 2008 model. Attaching a copy of the bill clicked from mobile. Sorry for poor quality.
Also, I see that you have some Software updated for Engine. Can you provide some inputs on that and any changes in performance after that.

[mohandasnikhil]

A lil birdy has informed me that Skoda has stopped production of the Fabia and the sales of the car would be 'temporarily suspended' from June 2013 onwards. Not sure whether Skoda will resume sales of the Fabia. Supposedly the company loses an average of 2000Euros on every Fabia sold in India. Really does sound a bit crazy!

[manishalive]

Originally Posted by mohandasnikhil

A lil birdy has informed me that Skoda has stopped production of the Fabia and the sales of the car would be 'temporarily suspended' from June 2013 onwards. Not sure whether Skoda will resume sales of the Fabia. Supposedly the company loses an average of 2000Euros on every Fabia sold in India. Really does sound a bit crazy!

Indeed true on the loss part, tough figure might varry. I was told that due to this and poor sales, fabia will be discontinued. A new one will come. On the lines of VW UP????

[mempheS.D]

Originally Posted by manishalive

Indeed true on the loss part, tough figure might varry. I was told that due to this and poor sales, fabia will be discontinued. A new one will come. On the lines of VW UP????

While it is saddening to wonder what if you are saying may be true, it's quite contradictory to Sudheer Rao's statement of renewed focus on the Fabia.

The only positive I see is that with the Polo coming in hot with the TSI + DSG, the Fabia may too with new L concept Fabia. That would be treat. Especially if a Fabia were to come in the vRS trim to relive the days of a 'hot' hatch that had been quite missing in the Indian auto scene ever since the GTX.

It's wishful thinking after all.

[aayushnair]

Originally Posted by 21Archer84

Even am surprised with such variation in price. Mine is a 2008 model. Attaching a copy of the bill clicked from mobile. Sorry for poor quality.
Also, I see that you have some Software updated for Engine. Can you provide some inputs on that and any changes in performance after that.

Hi Archer,

I havent really noticed a difference in performance, but the noise and vibrations have gone down. The engine now starts in a lot more refined manner, this could also be due to the engine mounts.
Other than that not too much difference in performance.

On another note - it's quite sad to see the Fabia being discontinued if whats being said above is true. She's a gem of a car. Bad on you Skoda for such a dismal performance all round especially in after sales service.

Cheers
Aayush

[21Archer84]

Originally Posted by aayushnair

Hi Archer,

I havent really noticed a difference in performance, but the noise and vibrations have gone down. The engine now starts in a lot more refined manner, this could also be due to the engine mounts.
Other than that not too much difference in performance.

On another note - it's quite sad to see the Fabia being discontinued if whats being said above is true. She's a gem of a car. Bad on you Skoda for such a dismal performance all round especially in after sales service.

Cheers
Aayush

Good to hear that the noise levels have come down. Any info if the update is for all the Fabia's or for vehicles from a particular timeline.

One the vehicle being discontinued, I seriously doubt that, as the next generation Fabia is due for launch next year and could possibly land in India too and hopefully it will have better sales than it's predecessors.