Evening all.

Bought my lovely '51 plate Octy VRs about 3 years ago now. Came with a lovely full history, from a previous owner who obviously cared for the car. His home and work were also a 50 mile motorway drive from each other too, so when I picked it up with 80k on the clock, it was fair to assume a chunk of this mileage was done at motorway cruising speeds.

In the 3 years since then, she's been utterly great, reliable save a few minor glitches with a coil pack, MAF and window regulator, and is now showing 120k.

I've been equally fastidious with her, just done another water pump and cambelt, and do annual oil and filters with Mobil 1 liquid gold

Had a Revo remap done shortly after purchase too, which has been nothing short of wonderful, running on Shell V power.

In short, I am still totally in love with my (still tight as a drum, rattle and squeak-free) Octy, and would be happy to do anything to keep her as fit as a fiddle.

I have only recently stumbled upon posts recommending changing the oil pickup pipe in the sump, basically as a preventative service measure.

I am fairly sure my 120k car has never had one done - although as I say, she's got a lovely history of regular oil changes with nice stuff.

So - the question is - do you think that it is worth changing the pickup at the next service? Even with a good history? I mean, would this possibly be startingto clog up now given the mileage, or is this a 'fright' item that's been blown out of proportion on the internet kinda thing?

Comments and recommendations welcome please. Ta

Yup totally worth it m8, for piece of mind if nothing else. Mine had 130k on the clock when I changed it, had it 3 years and 6k servicing with genuine oil and filter and it was quite bad. My mechanic moaned about there being no point in changing it but when I collected it he said it was due lol

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Yup totally worth it m8, for piece of mind if nothing else. Mine had 130k on the clock when I changed it, had it 3 years and 6k servicing with genuine oil and filter and it was quite bad. My mechanic moaned about there being no point in changing it but when I collected it he said it was due lol

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Ok, nice one, thanks for posting.

I think I will get it done then!

Yup totally worth it m8, for piece of mind if nothing else. Mine had 130k on the clock when I changed it, had it 3 years and 6k servicing with genuine oil and filter and it was quite bad. My mechanic moaned about there being no point in changing it but when I collected it he said it was due lol

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+1, the low cost and relative ease of the job make is absolutely worth doing for the peace of mind, changed mine at about 127k and it was a bit grotty.

Just do it so lt worth it for a few quid

my car had 90k on, and no history of it being changed, so I got my changed like other people say, peace of mind, mine wasn't that bad when I changed it. but for the cost involved I still feel it was totally worth it,

Definitely worth it buddy

Here is my How to guide in technical section if you if you feel up to the job as not too difficult

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/191103-vrs-pick-up-pipesuction-pipe-replacement/

Do it at your next oil change.

Thanks for the help and advice.

Next oil change is due February 2014 - you all reckon it's ok to wait until then (given the history of the car as posted above?)

And yeah - no worries about tackling it myself - quite an easy job by the looks of it, compared to some of the stuff I've been involved in spannering on cars!!!

I'd do it sooner rather than later.

If the oil is that fresh there is nothing wrong with dropping it into a clean container and putting it back in when you're done although I'd just do an early change personally.

If you've done 40k in 3 years you should be doing more than annual oil changes IMO.

I just did mine today ! , wasn't to sure if it would be worth it - 134k and full service history but it was clogged up and had old gasket sealant in it + bits of plastic :/ looked like part of a dipstip I'm no mechanic but did it myself using the link Added above wasn't to bad to be honest well worth doing

Just do it at next service.

If there is no sign of rattles from the top end of engine its fine.

40 k is only 2 services really.

Anual is spot on provided its longlife oil being used.

Sometimes changing it will creat trouble.

Lewisb yours was prob changed at some point and they used too much sealant hence it cloging it up again.

Mine didnt need doing at 101k as it was clean as.

Never know till you look tho.

Mine was and is on variable. Most mine did between services was 18k. Only run on oem oils never had a prob with her from new. Been mapped since 35k too in one form or other but never driven hard.

Driving style seems to play a part in the condition too.

20k or variable oil changes are a BS marketing thing to win fleet contracts IMO and TBH I'd say it has a lot to do with the sludging problems in the first place. I change every 10k and always will

20k or variable oil changes are a BS marketing thing to win fleet contracts IMO and TBH I'd say it has a lot to do with the sludging problems in the first place. I change every 10k and always will

Will agree to disagree there then. Never had any trouble at all with mine. Again its the way they are driven and type of runs they do. Mine was mainly hanging around 2.5 - 2.8k rpm on the mways. Never pushed hard.

Worked for me and as said my pickup was clean as a bell to say it had done 101k @ the time.

If its running with no trouble atm and not rattling then leave it till next service but do it then. No point posibly creating trouble when its fine now.

It has more to do with the lack of oil changes and or wrong oil used than anything else. Driving styles do not really make an effect TBH. If the oil is regularly replaced at correct intervals or better, then no issues.

Yours was clean Billy coz you look after your car mate and vouch for your good maintenance.

I replace oil every 4-5k with top quality and my pick up pipe was done 4 oil changes ago. On last change was still clean as a whistle. I have made 12 oil changes in last 6 years of ownership though

Any new buyer or a buyer that has not got solid history or is due a oil change not being confident of the service schedule, would be foolish not to replace pick up pipe.

I'm in a real dilemma about mine bought with full derek slack skoda history at 58k now on 75k longest between changes 10k only used on runs over 10 miles as I use wifes lupo round town however I don't know how first owner drove it. Tbh I'm more worried about disturbing it and sealant clogging new pipe. if I do it do I need a gasket for the oil return pipe from the turbo