I solved a big problem for Rs 110 which Vinayak Skoda could not repair

ajmat · 29th August 2010, 19:15

Since the past two years, I have been suffering with a minor problem ever since a Sumo sideswiped me. The rear headlining has been getting wet. Started as damp but now, it started to smell like a dungeon as the rain storms have intensified.

Tried diagnosing -

Leaky roof seals – nope – not a drop falls on me
Leaky door seals - not evident.

What could it be?

A quick on the skoda forums found that the sunroof drain pipes could be blocked. Water should flow from the rear wheel arches. Poured water down the sunroof channels. Only one wheel arch dribbled water out. Looked for the pipe but could not find it. Lost patience and started removing some trim and found a part of a pipe loitering around.

I solved a big problem for Rs 110 which Vinayak Skoda could not repair-sr1.jpg

Pipe as should be fitted

I solved a big problem for Rs 110 which Vinayak Skoda could not repair-sr2.jpg

Something missing - just a big hole

Tried removing the headlining but could not make headway as I could not figure out removing the grab handle.

To mitigate the damage, I ensured the car was parked nose down during rains. Frustrated – I took it to Vinayak – who damaged it on the first place. Supervisor had no idea on how to approach. I told him to attach a pipe at the break point. Received car but supervisor said, we need to order the part sir, it is a big job as we need to remove entire headlining. Duh! It’s only a pipe. Thinking of my time and it would be a matter of days, I thought of waiting. More rains passed, ending with a stormy drive to Pondicherry last weekend. In Pondy, I ditched the car and rode in my friends Innova all weekend. When I opened the car to go home, it was beginning to smell like a sock. Time for action.

More research. You all curse google but it helped me find the method to remove the roof handle. I also found the egress point of the pipe in the rear wheel arch. And I looked at the piping on the other side. I made a plan.

1: Took a 335 Volvo to Corporation
2: Walked all the way to SJP road.
3: Bought 3 metres of 20mm or ½” piping
4: Bought a pipe extension piece – took a few shops to find but I got it
5: Walked all the way home.

All for the price of Rs 110

Tear Down

Open the boot and removed the lining. Tried fitting new pipe into the valve. Valve was too small for the pipe and got pushed in into wheel arch. The pipe fitted into hole and is too big to be blocked by muck. Now for the tough bit

Removed the grab handle – it was easy – Skoda have small hinged screwed covers which recess in. Prised them open and unscrewed the handle. Unpeeled the door seal. Lowered headlining and reached in and helloo!

I solved a big problem for Rs 110 which Vinayak Skoda could not repair-sr3.jpg

The sorry looking pipe – looks like the welding got to it before Vinayak.

I solved a big problem for Rs 110 which Vinayak Skoda could not repair-sr4.jpg

Trimmed it and attached the extension piece.

I then got stuck trying to thread it between the double skin panel then realized that I need to thread the pipe between the trim and panel. Pulled the pipe through, cut it to size and pushed it into the wheel arch.

I solved a big problem for Rs 110 which Vinayak Skoda could not repair-sr5.jpg

Attached new tube

I solved a big problem for Rs 110 which Vinayak Skoda could not repair-sr6.jpg

Poured water into sunroof channel and lo and behold, the beast is finally house trained again

No more looking for inclines, no more damp smells, no more blackening headlings

All it cost was Rs 100 and 30 min. Missed opportunity Vinayak, you could have done this and charged me Rs 3000 and I would have been happy and you even happier. Please go and cancel your pipe on order.

v&v · 29th August 2010, 19:35

Nice diy info. I checked mine as per your instruction, as of now all ok.

vinayvtec · 29th August 2010, 19:58

WOW Ajit you are awesome. I wont ask how your weekend was, but I am sure you will be very happy as the issue was fixed

ph03n!x · 30th August 2010, 00:57

Pure curiosity: Did you try TAFE? Not that I expect them to solve this problem, but would be interesting to have the experience "close looped"

anandpadhye · 30th August 2010, 01:24

Good stuff.

BTW, who hates google you said?

androdev · 30th August 2010, 08:02

Great stuff and happy ending! Imagine if this had happened to an average Skoda owner - surely would have resulted in one of those 'horror' stories.

Wish you had posted the pictures+instructions on how to remove the trim. I find trim removal is always very tricky with these cars.

Btw, could such problems be the reason why Skoda removed sunroof from Fabia and Laura models?

ajmat · 30th August 2010, 08:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by ph03n!x

Pure curiosity: Did you try TAFE? Not that I expect them to solve this problem, but would be interesting to have the experience "close looped"

Choice - 30 min to drop car, 60 min to go hom, 60 min to fetch car and 30 min to pick up car. No to mention time wasted in between.
or
30 min research, remove two screws, 1 hour to walk to City Market get part and return, 30 min to refit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anandpadhye

Good stuff.

BTW, who hates google you said?

Plenty of geeks claim to hate it but can't live without it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by androdev

Wish you had posted the pictures+instructions on how to remove the trim. I find trim removal is always very tricky with these cars.

Btw, could such problems be the reason why Skoda removed sunroof from Fabia and Laura models?

In the boot, you need only pull the preformed carpet trip.
Rear quarter pillar, pull the plastic panel out gently.
Roof lining - open handle, lever flaps at the hinge, expose screws, unscrew, pull off door seal, lever lining down slowly

Forgot to add, I have the parts diagram for the Octy so managed to get the schematic sunroof diagram as below

I solved a big problem for Rs 110 which Vinayak Skoda could not repair-sunroof-schematic.png

PAVAN KADAM · 30th August 2010, 09:21

Ajmat, good you learnt a lot with your DIY

well done.

You just did'nt save Rs 110/- but if Skoda would have done this job, you would be dearer by by few thousands and more.

congratulations again.

mjothi · 30th August 2010, 09:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAVAN KADAM

Ajmat, good you learnt a lot with your DIY

well done.

You just did'nt save Rs 110/- but if Skoda would have done this job, you would be dearer by by few thousands and more.

congratulations again.

+1. And this would help a lot of others to save too.

Planning for any royalty?

amitoj · 30th August 2010, 09:38

Nice work Ajit. Must be immensely satisfying.

By the way, someone should send a link of Skoda Forums to the Skoda service centers, no?

ajmat · 30th August 2010, 10:27

Rang the Service supervisor to tell him

"Brnng Brrnng"

"Hallo"

"Hi, this is Ajit, regarding the sunroof"

"Saaar, part is not available" (I thought he told be on sat that it was on order)

"Does not matter, I fixed it"

"Whaaat sir?"

"I simply removed roof handle, pulled out pipe, added an extension and pushed it through, easy 30 min job"

" " silence

"Helloo"

"okay saar"

click

benbsb29 · 30th August 2010, 10:52

Great job, Ajit! Sometimes, complex problems have simple solutions.
Between, why did you walk home all the way from City market?

Part of the warm-up?

Vid6639 · 30th August 2010, 11:30

Is the headlining ok? Won't it get soiled?

Quote:

Originally Posted by benbsb29

Between, why did you walk home all the way from City market?

Part of the warm-up?

It's not that far actually for him.

ajmat · 30th August 2010, 12:36

Headlining got damp and had watermarks but cleans easily. One more year and the backlining would have rotted

dhanushs · 30th August 2010, 13:56

Most times, I'v noticed, the A.S.S guys only go by the book. Anything 'out of syllabus', and they go blah blah blah... If only they had the patience to look into the problem and find this simple solution out of the book, they would have gotten one happy customer, and loads of trust.

Glad that you fixed the problem. Well, owning a car smelling like a sock should turn you into a DIY specialist.

29th August 2010, 19:15	#1
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,860 Thanked: 27,956 Times View My Garage	I solved a big problem for Rs 110 which Vinayak Skoda could not repair Since the past two years, I have been suffering with a minor problem ever since a Sumo sideswiped me. The rear headlining has been getting wet. Started as damp but now, it started to smell like a dungeon as the rain storms have intensified. Tried diagnosing - Leaky roof seals – nope – not a drop falls on me Leaky door seals - not evident. What could it be? A quick on the skoda forums found that the sunroof drain pipes could be blocked. Water should flow from the rear wheel arches. Poured water down the sunroof channels. Only one wheel arch dribbled water out. Looked for the pipe but could not find it. Lost patience and started removing some trim and found a part of a pipe loitering around. Pipe as should be fitted Something missing - just a big hole Tried removing the headlining but could not make headway as I could not figure out removing the grab handle. To mitigate the damage, I ensured the car was parked nose down during rains. Frustrated – I took it to Vinayak – who damaged it on the first place. Supervisor had no idea on how to approach. I told him to attach a pipe at the break point. Received car but supervisor said, we need to order the part sir, it is a big job as we need to remove entire headlining. Duh! It’s only a pipe. Thinking of my time and it would be a matter of days, I thought of waiting. More rains passed, ending with a stormy drive to Pondicherry last weekend. In Pondy, I ditched the car and rode in my friends Innova all weekend. When I opened the car to go home, it was beginning to smell like a sock. Time for action. More research. You all curse google but it helped me find the method to remove the roof handle. I also found the egress point of the pipe in the rear wheel arch. And I looked at the piping on the other side. I made a plan. 1: Took a 335 Volvo to Corporation 2: Walked all the way to SJP road. 3: Bought 3 metres of 20mm or ½” piping 4: Bought a pipe extension piece – took a few shops to find but I got it 5: Walked all the way home. All for the price of Rs 110 Tear Down Open the boot and removed the lining. Tried fitting new pipe into the valve. Valve was too small for the pipe and got pushed in into wheel arch. The pipe fitted into hole and is too big to be blocked by muck. Now for the tough bit Removed the grab handle – it was easy – Skoda have small hinged screwed covers which recess in. Prised them open and unscrewed the handle. Unpeeled the door seal. Lowered headlining and reached in and helloo! The sorry looking pipe – looks like the welding got to it before Vinayak. Trimmed it and attached the extension piece. I then got stuck trying to thread it between the double skin panel then realized that I need to thread the pipe between the trim and panel. Pulled the pipe through, cut it to size and pushed it into the wheel arch. Attached new tube Poured water into sunroof channel and lo and behold, the beast is finally house trained again No more looking for inclines, no more damp smells, no more blackening headlings All it cost was Rs 100 and 30 min. Missed opportunity Vinayak, you could have done this and charged me Rs 3000 and I would have been happy and you even happier. Please go and cancel your pipe on order. Last edited by ajmat : 29th August 2010 at 21:03.
	(5) Thanks

29th August 2010, 19:35	#2
v&v Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 1,545 Thanked: 1,205 Times View My Garage	Nice diy info. I checked mine as per your instruction, as of now all ok.
	() Thanks

29th August 2010, 19:58	#3
vinayvtec BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 390 Thanked: 10 Times View My Garage	WOW Ajit you are awesome. I wont ask how your weekend was, but I am sure you will be very happy as the issue was fixed
	() Thanks

30th August 2010, 00:57	#4
ph03n!x Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Coimbatore Posts: 2,566 Thanked: 5,960 Times	Pure curiosity: Did you try TAFE? Not that I expect them to solve this problem, but would be interesting to have the experience "close looped"
	() Thanks

30th August 2010, 01:24	#5
anandpadhye Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 3,054 Thanked: 3,313 Times	Good stuff. BTW, who hates google you said?
	() Thanks

30th August 2010, 08:02	#6
androdev Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 3,096 Thanked: 22,328 Times	Great stuff and happy ending! Imagine if this had happened to an average Skoda owner - surely would have resulted in one of those 'horror' stories. Wish you had posted the pictures+instructions on how to remove the trim. I find trim removal is always very tricky with these cars. Btw, could such problems be the reason why Skoda removed sunroof from Fabia and Laura models?
	() Thanks

30th August 2010, 09:21	#8
PAVAN KADAM BANNED Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: NAMMA BENGALURU Posts: 5,602 Thanked: 2,549 Times	Ajmat, good you learnt a lot with your DIY well done. You just did'nt save Rs 110/- but if Skoda would have done this job, you would be dearer by by few thousands and more. congratulations again.
	() Thanks

30th August 2010, 09:38	#10
amitoj Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Windham, NH USA Posts: 3,348 Thanked: 3,102 Times View My Garage	Nice work Ajit. Must be immensely satisfying. By the way, someone should send a link of Skoda Forums to the Skoda service centers, no?
	() Thanks

30th August 2010, 10:27	#11
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,860 Thanked: 27,956 Times View My Garage	Rang the Service supervisor to tell him "Brnng Brrnng" "Hallo" "Hi, this is Ajit, regarding the sunroof" "Saaar, part is not available" (I thought he told be on sat that it was on order) "Does not matter, I fixed it" "Whaaat sir?" "I simply removed roof handle, pulled out pipe, added an extension and pushed it through, easy 30 min job" " " silence "Helloo" "okay saar" click
	(1) Thanks

30th August 2010, 10:52	#12
benbsb29 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 9,968 Thanked: 13,218 Times View My Garage	Great job, Ajit! Sometimes, complex problems have simple solutions. Between, why did you walk home all the way from City market? Part of the warm-up?
	() Thanks

30th August 2010, 12:36	#14
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,860 Thanked: 27,956 Times View My Garage	Headlining got damp and had watermarks but cleans easily. One more year and the backlining would have rotted
	() Thanks

30th August 2010, 13:56	#15
dhanushs Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,282 Thanked: 10,177 Times	Most times, I'v noticed, the A.S.S guys only go by the book. Anything 'out of syllabus', and they go blah blah blah... If only they had the patience to look into the problem and find this simple solution out of the book, they would have gotten one happy customer, and loads of trust. Glad that you fixed the problem. Well, owning a car smelling like a sock should turn you into a DIY specialist.
	() Thanks