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Call me Ishmael

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  • Gender
    Male
  • Location
    Armagh, UK

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  • Model
    Felicia 1.9D

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  1. Thanks Bluecar1. I was wondering how much electronic nonsense the Rapid comes with. So it's got all this computer stuff that needs attention......not good for a DIYer!
  2. Thanks again guys, I'd heard that Skodas aren't what they used to be. The old Felly's going to be a hard act to follow in terms of age and reliability. It isn't much to look at and doesn't have an on-board computer or any of that stuff, but I knew it was going to start every time and keep going all the way there and back again. Just for the record, I never had to take the suspension apart, it's all original as is the engine, gearbox, starter, injectors, fuel pump, even the brake pipes - all factory original. The alternator was overhauled last year at 208,000 miles and she's had 3 new clutches (one for each learner driver in the house) and 2 new rear wheel cylinders. Other than that it's been regular servicing and grease painted onto the brake pipes every year. I'll keep an eye on NI Autotrader, but am quite happy to travel to the mainland for the right car. Diesels can be a bit hit-and-miss out here as we've so much laundered fuel marketed as the real stuff. A car that's been running on 'Dodgy diesel' is destined for trouble!
  3. Thanks again. I like Maltesers, MickA, so that could be a deal! I'll take my time shopping and wait for the right car at the right price. It's been so long since I bought myself a car (got my Felly in 2002 at 2 years old and with 13,500 miles on the clock) that I need to take a refresher course!
  4. Thanks to all of you for the swift responses. I value all of your opinions and take on board the fact that Rapids haven't been around long enough to prove long-term reliability. I'm comforted to note that the reason for there being so many on the market is that lease companies are changing their stock and it's not necessarily owners dumping them after a year of disappointment! As I said before, the lack of whistles and bells doesn't put me off. I just see electronic gadgets as something else to go wrong that will cost a mint to repair. That's why I've loved my Felicia tractor. I'm going to go and take a look and a test drive in the next few days and can now go armed with a bit of knowledge of what to expect. Thanks again. Call Me Ishmael.
  5. Hello Folks, I've come from the Felicia forum. I've been driving the same diesel Felly for 13 years and have put 216,000 miles on her. I've always done my own servicing and she's been as solid and reliable as a Massey-Ferguson tractor but is starting to show signs of wear. So I'm considering a Rapid as a replacement. I want something that starts every time and gets me from A to B and back again without drama. I care not for electronic gadgets such as satnav, Bluetooth, USB's, ICE or any of that stuff (I'm a Felicia driver after all). My daily commute is 20 miles round trip with the odd run to the airport of 150 miles. I see loads of 1.2 TSI models for sale at about 1 year old and 12-14,000 miles on the clock at just over £8,000 but before I take the plunge, I'm seeking your views on a couple of things: 1. Why are there so many 1-year old 1.2 TSI Rapids on the market? 2. Are there any common problems with them that I need to look out for? I've read about road/wind noise, but that doesn't worry me. 3. What's the reliability like? 4. What life span can I expect out of a well maintained Rapid? Any help much appreciated. Thanks
  6. Mine did exactly the same thing about 4 years ago. It was spinning and sliding about all over the place. So I took it off altogether and never replaced it as I reckoned she didn't need a random bit of metal slapping around the driveshaft. 40,000-odd miles later, it doesn't seem to have made any difference to anything; she's still going strong without it and certainly no untoward vibration.
  7. Why do I like my Felicia 1.9D? Simple; I've put over 200,000 miles on it in 13 years with very little trouble. What's not to like? It's not on any hire purchase deal and has outlived every fancy-boy car in the neighbourhood and workhood.
  8. Have you tried starting her with jump leads from another car? It'd at least tell you if the battery was to fault or if the problem's further downstream in the wiring/starter motor, as the other guys are suggesting. Just a thought.....might be worth a shot.
  9. That sounds a bit harsh. Surely the longevity of a diesel car is more environmentally friendly than having to buy a new petrol car every 5 years to replace one that's clapped out. Sounds more like a policy designed to boost the car industry than protect the environment.
  10. The trouble with modern cars is that they're loaded with electronic gadgetry that just wants to fail 5 minutes after the warranty expires. If it's not there, it can't go wrong! I'm a great believer in keeping it simple.
  11. Hello folks, just thought you'd like to know..... My wee blue 1.9d Felicia just went through yet another MOT this evening at 212,856 miles. It has to be the most incredibly reliable car I've ever had and has never been refused a certificate. It had one advisory about 6 years ago when the orange indicator bulbs were getting a bit faded and I was told to change them for the following year. They just don't make them like that anymore!
  12. If you go onto Youtube and search for 'alternator brushes skoda', there are a couple of good videos there that should help.
  13. Hello Felicia2014, It sounds like there are a few things happening: The squeal associated with the alternator light was almost certainly the belt slipping on its pulleys. You may need a new belt or need to tighten the existing belt. So far as I know the same belt drives the water pump (mine's a diesel). A slipping or broken belt will result in poor water circulation and cause overheating. The radiator fan and blowers not working may be blown fuses or some other electrical problem. Start with the fuse box and check for signs that water has penetrated into it - a common problem on Felicias. Also check if any of the fuses are blown. If everthing seems ok in the fuse box, check if power is being delivered to the blower motor and radiator fan motor. By bridging the terminals on the radiator fan switch with with a screwdriver or other conductor (ignition on), you should see the radiator fan come on (mind your fingers!). The struggle on idle could be caused by a variety of things - worn out spark plugs, incorrect ignition timing, broken plug lead, worn distributor cap, moisture in the plug caps, carburretor adjustment, blocked air or fuel filter or some silly electronic thing! I hope this helps you get started. Let us know how you get along.
  14. Hello Skodle, I would certainly be keen to learn the results of your blue/red mixing experiment. With all the mystery and folklore surrounding pink antifreeze, it'd be good to get an answer as to what actually happens when the irresistable force meets the immovable object! Maybe it will result in meltdown, maybe it won't. I'm not quite an OAP, but I can't help thinking life was much simpler when all cars had blue antifreeze in the radiator, EP90 in the gearbox and 20W50 in the engine and that was all there was to it! Why did it have to become so complicated?
  15. My 14 year old Felicia still has the original factory-filled power steering fluid and after 211,000 miles has had no issues. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
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