Longton Skoda Servicing: Engine Oil and Filters

Your Skoda engine needs a thin coat of protective lubricant to prevent the moving parts frem seizing

Modern Multigrade & Synthetic Engine oil is not just a lubricant; it contains antioxidants to help resist corrosion, surfactants to hold contaminating particles in suspension and water scavengers to handle small amounts of water contamination in your Skoda Engine

Need an Oil & Filter Change on your Skoda?
Use our form for a Skoda routine service estimate in the Longton area

Skoda oil filters help remove unwanted abrasive particles and fine debris from the engine, however, as the internal surface gets blocked with debris and even an oil-water emulsion; the Skoda oil pump has to work harder to circulate lubricating oil

Longton Skoda Routine Servicing - Replacement Filters & Fresh Oil

Skoda Servicing Longton Replacement Filters & Lubricating Oil

Skoda Starter Motors
Replacement Skoda Starter motors installed

Skoda Paint Resprays
Paint resprays for minor scratch damage to the Skoda paint surface or coating; Custom paintwork to make your Skoda different using metallic paints, pearlescent pigments or company colours.

Skoda Timing Belt - Skoda Cambelt
Skoda Timing Belts replaced as part of a planned Skoda service or if the Timing Belt on your Skoda has snapped then a full engine inspection for valve & piston damage

Skoda Performance Spares
OEM Skoda parts fitted or replaced with alternative performance parts

Skoda Body Panels
Replacement Skoda panels fitted & sprayed to match - Light Skoda Panel damage repairs

Skoda Clutches
Skoda clutch repairs Longton - Checking for leaks and repairing-replacing the clutch master-slave cylinder and fitting a new Skoda Clutch kit

Skoda Fuel Pumps
Often replaced at a milestone service if the fuel pump is operated by the Timing belt

Skoda EGR Valves
Replacement Skoda EGR valves - ensure the exhaust gas recirculation system is functioning correctly on your Skoda - The EGR valve helps your Skoda burn fuel more efficiently by recirculating a portion the exhaust gas through combustion chamber and helps reduce Skoda engine emissions; a broke or sticking EGR valve can be the cause of an MOT failure due to excessive emissions

Skoda Oil Change & Filters Replaced
Skoda Air filters, pollen filters; oil filter & fuel filter replaced, engine oil changed - Multigrade or Synthetic oils

Skoda Alternators
Replacement Skoda alternators fitted

Skoda Brakes
Routine Skoda servicing, replacement Skoda brake pads & discs fitted, Skoda hydraulic pipework and joints inspected, repaired or replaced for a complete braking system overhaul

Skoda Cooling System
Replacement Skoda radiators fitted, cooling system pipework inspected for leaks and cooling fluid replaced to keep your Skoda engine at its optimal operating temperature

Skoda Suspension System
Skoda replacement shock absorbers & springs fitted for front or rear suspension problems, broken springs. Custom suspension systems installed, lowering springs fitted

Skoda Engines
Skoda Engine repairs, cylinder head skimming, valves & pistons

Skoda Exhausts
Skoda Engine manifolds, Front box, Back box, catalytic converter and exhaust pipes for Skoda Exhausts fitted & welded

Skoda Electrical Components
Skoda electrical faults repaired using Skoda OEM components - Skoda sensors checked e.g. Lambda sensors, air flow meters etc

Skoda Gearboxes
Skoda Manual & Automatic gearbox servicing & repair - Fitting a new or reconditioned Skoda gearbox

Skoda Autoelectrics
Skoda electrical faults diagnosed - OBD fault finding - Skoda engine fault codes checked & service lights reset - ECU problems, key coding and CANBUS systems checked

Skoda Tyres
Steel wheels, alloy wheels and tyres repaired and replaced with cheap tyres, run-flat tyres or low profile & performance tyres depending upon your budget and driving requirements. Part-Worn tyres may be available for your Skoda model

Skoda Maintenance - Skoda Hydraulic Braking System Servicing and Repair

Skoda brakes can last for thousand of miles depending on use and regular service

Modern Skoda braking systems use hydraulic links to transfer stopping power

Braking increases hydraulic brake fluid pressure

The enforced contact between the brake pads and brake drum or brake disc increases friction to slow down or stop the vehicle

The hydraulic brake fluid is a non-compressible liquid so braking pressure is transferred via the brake pipes to the wheels and operates a slave cylinder piston that forces the brake pads against a brake drum or brake disc

The brake pedal controls the Master Cylinder (a fluid filled hydraulic piston) that transfers stopping power to the brakes

Skoda Hydraulic Disc Brake and Drum Brake Systems

Drum Brakes, if fitted, are usually found on Skoda rear wheels

Drum Brakes are an older system than Skoda disc brakes and use two half moon shaped brake shoes that move outwards during use to apply a frictional stopping force against the inside of a brake drum

Skoda disc brakes have a pair of high friction brake pads mounted either side of a brake disc

Hydraulic braking pressure forces a brake calliper to press the brake pads against the disc to apply the necessary stopping force

In hydraulic braking systems, braking pressure operates a slave cylinder

Skoda Brakes - Skoda Brake Servicing and Maintenance

Skoda Brakes will safely function correctly without the need for replacement for many thousands of miles

If the Skoda brake discs warp then they should be replaced immediately

if the Skoda brakes overheat and are allowed to cool with pressure still applied for m the brake pads/shoes then it is possible for the disc to warp.

Skoda brake discs will wear and need replacing eventually and should be inspected for pitting

The brake pads on your Skoda should wear first

Skoda Brake Inspection Elements

And carry out the following maintenance of your Skoda braking system:-

Replace Brake Fluid if necessary

Brake pipe Condition

Brake calliper operation

Hand brake linkage condition

Wheel cylinder condition

Lubricate Hand Brake Linkages

Hydraulic brake pipe fittings and joints for corrosion and leaking

Clean and remove brake dust and loose corrosion and dirt from drums

ABS warning light operation

General brake disc condition

Correct brake pad movement and level of wear

Brake drum condition

Top Up Brake and Clutch Fluid Levels or

Handbrake function and travel

Auxiliary handbrake shoes where appropriate

Adjust handbrake

Skoda Steering System

Common symptoms of Skoda steering alignment problems include:-
Vehicle Drift - Your Skoda tends to pull left or right when travelling in a straight line
Modern Power steering and Drive by Wire Systems do not have the same mechanical linkages between the steering column and drive wheels making it difficult to 'feel' how the steering is performing.

The tyres will need to be replaced much sooner than necessary until the steering rack is adjusted to bring your wheels into correct alignment

The tyre tread is rapidly removed from the inner or outer tyre edge of your front tyres

One of the first signs of a potential problem with your Skoda steering system is uneven tyre wear

Skoda steering inspections:-

Steering Linkages for wear and corrosion

Correct wheel balance, including spare

Steering Condition

Correct wheel nut torque to manufacturer's recommendations

Tyre Condition - inc Spare

Steering Rack Gaiter condition

Wheel Bearings for wear - play or noise

Skoda Tyre wear and wheel alignment

Power Steering Reservoir Levels and Top Up

Correct Tyre Pressure - inc Spare

Skoda Brake Servicing: Brake Discs, Pads & Hydraulics

Modern braking systems use hydraulic links to transfer stopping power.

Brakes can last for thousand of miles depending on use and regular service.

The brake pedal is attached the Master Cylinder; a fluid filled hydraulic piston.

Braking increases hydraulic brake fluid pressure.

The hydraulic brake fluid is a non-compressible liquid so braking pressure is transferred via the brake pipes to the wheels and operates a slave cylinder piston that forces the brake pads against a brake drum or brake disc.

The enforced contact between the brake pads and brake drum or brake disc increases friction to slow down or stop the vehicle.

Replacement Skoda Timing Belt or Cambelt

The toothed belt connecting the engine crankshaft to the camshaft is known as the Cambelt or Timing belt

Generally Skoda belts should be replaced every 60,000 miles or less. So, if you have just bought a secondhand Skoda that has 40,000 to 80,000 miles then it is important to know if the timing belt has been replaced or needs replacing. Check the Skoda Owner's manual for your model for the recommended changing frequency

The Timing Belt synchronizes the camshaft to the crankshaft position ensuring the valves open and close at the correct time in relation to the piston. Some vehicles use a cam chain in place of the belt or a timing gear system instead

If the timing belt snaps it will most probably cause serious engine damage. The camshaft stops turning with some of the valves left in the open position. In a Free Running Engine there is enough clearance between a fully open valve and the piston head to avoid serious damage. In an Interference Engine there is no clearance and the engine relies upon accurate timing to keep the valves and piston head separated. With a broken timing belt; the inertia helps the crankshaft to rotate freely forcing the pistons to strike the open valves resulting in damaged valves, pistons, and possibly even damage to the cylinder head

High compression diesel engines are normally interference engines

Often it is prudent to replace a combination of items associated with the timing system. Most of the needed Skoda parts can be obtained as timing kits containing the appropriate timing components; such as: Skoda timing belt
timing belt tensioners
timing belt tensioner idler roller
front lower crank shaft seal
water pump gasket

Since Skoda Timing Belts are hidden inside the engine they tend to be forgotten when purchasing a used Skoda

Timing belts must be replaced at a specified manufacturer's interval. The timing belt should also be inspected regularly and replaced immediately if there is any evidence of cracking or fraying cuts or excessive wear

Skoda Clutch Replacement Longton

When the clutch is dis-engaged the clamping force is removed so the clutch disc spins with the flywheel and no power is transmitted

The centre of the clutch disc has a spline pattern that matches splines on the power input shaft of the transmission system

Skoda Clutch failure often occurs when one or more of the high friction surface materials wears out on the disc. Even when the pressure plate is engaged and a clamping force is applied, there is no longer sufficient friction to transmit power without the clutch slipping. Normally the Skoda clutch disc and pressure plate are replaced. Replacing the Skoda Clutch is a major operation and it is sometimes advisable to replace a number of items, often supplied as a Skoda Clutch kit:-
Skoda clutch disc
pressure plate
release bearing
pilot bearing - bushing (when required)
internal Skoda clutch slave cylinder

Engaging the clutch forces the clutch against the flywheel transmitting power from the crankshaft to the transmission shaft

Disengaging the clutch acts on heavy-duty release springs to isolate the pressure plate so that the disc is no longer pressed against the flywheel

The pressure plate comprises heavy-duty release springs, a metal pressure ring acting as a high friction surface to interact with the clutch disc, a thrust ring (or thrust fingers) for the release bearing, and release levers

The Skoda clutch disc is, not surprisingly, a disc with each side covered in a high friction material. It is designed to engage with the high-friction surfaces of the pressure plate and flywheel. It is also designed to transmit power to theSkoda transmission system

Skoda Fuel Injection

LPG Petrol or Diesel Metering
Fuel Injection systems have replaced carburetors for the accurate mixing and delivering of petrol, lpg or diesel fuel in modern Skoda vehicles

Skoda Engine Mapping
The Skoda ECU controlling engine performance is pre-programmed with software containing embedded data on engine performance for different combinations of engine speed and acceleration

Skoda Re-Mapping Longton
The Skoda ECU can be replaced with a programmable ECU or re-mapped to electronically alter the engine performance characteristics

Skoda Fuel Injection
Fuel injection systems mix fuel with just the right amount of air for optimal combustion & energy release in an internal combustion engine

EFI - Electronic Fuel Injection
The Skoda fuel injection system is controlled by a mini-computer or Electronic Control Unit (ECU) that assimilates data from a series of temperature sensors and oxygen or lambda sensors providing feedback to help optimise fuel efficiency and power under a variety of conditions

Longton Maintenance - Skoda Oil Change

Oil Change Masterclass
Keep a small amount of the engine oil used in your next oil change in a sealed container; then when you check your oil level with the dipstick you can compare the lubricity or lubricating properties of the oil against your fresh oil:- If the oil on the dipstick seems thin compared to your reference oil sample; it may be time to get an oil change to keep your Skoda running smoothly

Synthetic Oil Change - Longton
Modern synthetic oils can last longer than old petroleum based multigrades because they are more inert with a laboratory designed molecular structure and fewer natural catalytic impurities that increase oil breakdown compared to the cheaper engine oils

Oil & Filter Change
A new Skoda oil filter and oil change shouldn't need a specialist Skoda engineer and is minimal compared to the cost of an Engine Rebuild; with regular maintenance and routine servicing working out cheaper than disaster recover when your Skoda engine fails

Oil Change Frequency
The mechanics rule of thumb with traditional multigrade engine oils used to be "change the oil every 3000 miles" but many vehicle manufacturers indicate 5000 to 7000 miles. Initially, follow the Skoda recommended oil change guidelines to ensure you validate your warranty.

Oil Composition
Engine Lubricating Oil is composed of hundreds of chemicals; some can interact chemically, polymerise, oxidise and break down with the extreme conditions of temperature & shear forces pulling the oil molecules apart in your Skoda engine thus, changing the lubrication properties.

Moisture Scavengers - Detergents - Acidity Regulators
Moisture scavengers, detergents and acidity regulators prevent all kinds of contaminants degrading and abrading the internal moving surfaces of your Skoda engine minimising the effects that water, particles, and fuel combustion residus can have on Skoda performance
Once they have absorbed the maximum amount of water and other contaminants; the risk of corrosion and failure in your in your Skoda engine increases

Anti Oxidants
Preventing internal engine oxidation in your Skoda motor is the job of sacrificial anti-oxidants present in the lubricating oil; Anti oxidants are sacrificed to protect your engine and will eventually be depleted making it necessary to change your oil regularly

Longton Exhaust Fitting Skoda

Explosions from the instantaneous ignition of the compressed fuel and air igniting in the combustion chamber creat a lot of noise that needs to be silenced in the urban environment

Corroded exhaust pipes allow fumes and noise to escape; increasing the risk of poisonous carbon monoxide entering the cabin and significantly increasing noise making detection an easy task

The exhaust pipework helps muffle and deaden the noise from the fuel combustion process

The Skoda exhaust system allows poisonous gases from the fuel combustionto vent into the atmoshpere away from the driver and cabin