crdhanak

Hi, FINALLY!!! The problem got solved. It turned out to be a combination of various things. The following is the sequence of actions taken over the last 45 days (mainly as Skoda did not have parts) The problem was that the car was jerking like hell on acceleration. It would happen in any gear but typically between the 3000 and 5000 rpm. There were no consistent error codes found. Based on the inputs from this forum I had the car checked for the damage to the breather hose and this was found to be cracked. Replaced it. While replacing the breather hose, the vacuum pipes were found to have hardened and were very brittle. They broke while the breather hose was being replaced. So replaced the vacuum pipes. Unfortunately the problem did not go away. Replaced the spark plugs - it was time to change anyway. But problem not solved. Had the Throttle Body cleaned and aligned. Problem still not solved.. Disconnected the MAF as suggested and found the car was jerking less. Tried using the MAF from another VRS, again it was jerking less but the problem did not get completely rectified. Cleaned and reoiled the Air Filter On a gut feeling asked the service center guys to check the fuel filter - Horror!!!! The fuel coming out of the Fuel Filter was BLACK!!!! Changed the Fuel Filter and had the Petrol Tank cleaned. Black Sludge was found at the bottom. It seems that at some point I got a very very very bad quality of petrol. Put fresh fuel into the tank...unfortunately the problem still remained - no change. Changed the MAF to a new one and suddenly the problem seemed to have reduced substantially. Finally replaced the Fuel Filter from another VRS and ......SOLVED!!! Bought a few Fuel Filter immediately. So it seems the problem was a combination of 1) Leaking Breather Hose - Though why this did not give a error code is beyond me 2) Cracks in Vaccum tubes - again why no error codes 3) Very Poor Quality petrol causing the fuel filter to choke up and collapse and the fuel pump to fail (again why no error codes - perhaps the fuel filter was working but was partially choked with sludge) 4) MAF was probably also dying a slow death and only compounded the problem. 5) The main problem I think is that there is no alternate to authorized Skoda service center in India, and since VRS accounts for less than 1% of Skoda sales in India, the authorized service center do not have highly trained and experienced guys for the VRS. It took the guys several months to finally identify and solve the problem. But now my VRS is back and I am in love all over again!!! Thanks a ton for all your suggestions. I hope nobody faces this problem. Regards Chintan

Hi, changed the breather hose and other pipes along with it. Unfortunately the problem still persists. They were in a really bad condition so I was very confident that this would be the cause. Unfortunately not so. What else should I check? The fault code described that it is getting insufficient air volume. I do not have the fault code number though. BTW how do I post a pic with this post? Regards Chintan

You guys are amazing. It indeed seems to be the boost hose which is the problem. The rubber has become very soft due to age and heat. It seems that on sudden acceleration and the demand for sudden more air, the rubber is folding on itself causing insufficient air into the engine causing the problem. Atleast thats what I think is the problem. It even has a small a crack in it. Unfortunately will get the replacement part only by the end of the week. But fingers crossed, it should solve the problem. Thanks a ton!!! God bless Briskoda experts!! Chintan

Hi Guys, I have a Skoda Octavia I - VRS (2005). The mods I have are Custom Code Phase 1 remap, K&N Typhoon, Forge DV 007, Remus exhaust. For the last couple of months I have a nasty problem that the Skoda guys have not been able to resolve. In any gear, when I press the accelerator HARD, the car jerks several times and gives off a kind of sputtering sound. If I keep the accelerator pushed down then after a few seconds of jerks the car gets the normal acceleration. Alternatively if I ease off the accelerator the jerking stops and then when I slowly press the pedal the car seems fine. It is only on sudden hard acceleration that the car jerks very badly so I do not have any problem in city traffic. But only when I am pushing the car hard or overtaking that I face this problem. I have checked the site forums, but have not found any identical problems. What I am experiencing is different from the famous hesitation in remapped cars. Can anyone suggest what could be the cause? Thanks Chintan

Hi, I also posted the same query in another forum (Team BHP is an Indian website of car enthusiasts) The link to that post is Skoda Octavia VRS - Should I go for the stage 2 upgrade? - Team-BHP The advice there is mostly to keep the stage 1 map. Still undecided but definately need more study before I go for it. Thanks

Hi, I have had the following performance mods on my VRS and love the way the car performs. - ECU remap - Custom Code Stage 1 remap - Diverter Valve - Forge DV007 - Exhaust - Remus Catback - Air Filter - K&N Typhoon Except for the odd hesitation at about 5-6000 rpm, I am other wise very satisfied with the setup so far. Have been toying with the idea of a stage 2 upgrade and have been recommended the following setup: - ECU remap - Custom Code Stage 2 (32K) - Forge Turbo Intake pipe (18K) - Power Flex Dogbone Bush (3K) - Forge Front Mounted Intercooler (98K) - Miltek Catback Exhaust (44K) OR Miltek Full Exhaust with Cat Delete 82K) OR Miltek Full Exhaust with Sports Cat (105K) - Tarox brake pads - Suspension upgrade - Bilstein Sport Struts B6 set of 4 (46K) - Top & Bottom Braces VAG (14K) - UK Speck Springs with Link (34K) My queries are: Can go for the ECU remap, Turbo pipes & Powerflex, but not sure of the rest of the setup. 1) FMIC - its expensive, but is it worth it? Pl advice. 2) Should I change the exhaust? What difference can i expect if I keep my existing Remus or if I upgrade to one of the three options listed? 3) If you recommend that I change the exhaust - what is the best option in terms of value for money. 4) Suspension & Brake upgrades - Intend to do this, but later. Can spend about 100K right now - hence cannot buy everything. Looking forward to your advice

Hey guys, i got the Forge DV installed today. Quite a difference - acceleration seems much smoother. Flat spots mostly seems gone... Thanks a million for all the advice. Regards Chintan

Hey Thanks guys. All good advice. Keep it coming. Smerko - I am personally happy with the Remus Exhaust. At low RPM it has a good low growl to it. At higher RPM the engine noise is all I hear!! Its not a loud exhaust, but thats what I personally like. I had made all the three modifications at the same time, so cannot comment on how they individually affected performance. But overall I am able to shave off more than a second in a 0-100 Km per hour dash. Earlier I had clocked at 8.6 sec, now can do it in 7.3 sec. I think if I am able to sort out the turbo flat near the 5000 rpm, I could probably do it in 7 sec. Quite a few recomendations on the valve, so I am definately going to check it out. In other posts I have read about the Forge DV007 seems to be highly recomended....should I go for it? Thanks Chintan

Hi Guys, I own & love a 4 year old MK1 Octavia VRS. I have done some upgrades to it last year - Remapped the ECU (Custom Code Stage 1), Remus Exhaust, K&N Typhoon kit. The car is awesome except I have a few flat spots around the 5000 rpm range (any advice?) I am planning to do additional upgrades and would like you to advice. The options I have considered are 1) Upgrade Brakes - Brake pads have worn out so need to replace any way. Should I spend additional for upgraded brake kits? Which brand? 2) High performance clutch - what difference can i expect? which brand? I do a lot (approx 50%) of city driving (mostly rush hour) - would that affect the performance or life of a high performance clutch? 3) Irridium spark plugs 4) Coil Packs - I am told Hitachi coil packs are a great upgrade with the Irridium Spark plugs - can anyone confirm this? Anything else I should be considering? Thanks Chintan

Damn, Just got an update and an estimate. Will cost me about 2000 US$ (Indian Rs 1,00,000). Will have to replace the intake and exhaust valves and some other parts. Chintan

The car is 3.5 years old. March 2005 make. I am a second owner, bought it in May last year. it had done about 35K Km when I had bought it. Chintan

Hi Guys, My heart breaks as my VRS had to be towed to the service center as the cambelt broke. Am probably looking at a huge repair cost (estimates are yet not in).What ****es me off is that I have regular car servicing done and yet when this happened, the service center guys tell me that at 60K Km the cam belt can go any time. Why was the wear & tear not noticed during the regular service? I would have gladly replaced the cambelt before it broke had someone just told me so......I request all of you to please advice if I need to do any preventive maaintenance and change any other parts over the life of the VRS so that my dear car never has to be towed. My VRS has done 60K Km and is 3.5 years old, Most of the time at a crawling pace of a city traffic. But have done some speed runs on it, even taken it to its max of 215Km/Hr.Thanks in advance for the advice. Regards Chintan