reliantreviver

How kind of you to offer yours There's no immediate need to get one, so I shall bide my time and wait for the right one to come up. Wasn't even aware of the lower power version. Just deciding now if I should hold out for one with a towbar fitted, or budget to have this done, or even under-take the fitting myself. Have licensed VAG-com so can do any programming, but accept it may still be better to just cough up and have it all done by someone else.

All very encouraging responses. Guess I am hunting for a Yeti then. Might have to make do with a 140, as the 170bhp models are a bit thin on the ground it seems. I suppose aside from the brakes, it's just a remap's difference if I felt so inclined. Our 1.6 TDI fabia is mapped ( by previous owner) and quite an animal when the boost hoofs in! Delica moved on to it's new owner this evening, i probably sold it a little cheap on reflection, but still more than I paid for it 4 years ago! As a side note I went to view a 1999 Cherokee XJ today, it's a bit of an itch that wants scratching. They are nice compact 4x4s with very capable towing characteristics , and arguably very excessively rated at 3500kg MAM! This one however was rough all over despite the strong price tag. A real turn off and brought me back down to reality a bit, just not sure I want an archaic old Jeep always needing my attention. The notion of another dependable Skoda that I can give minimal maintenance, and throw at a garage for everything else, does have it's appeal!

Yeah, it's a light enough tug with an empty trailer (Ifor Williams single axle transporter, listed at a net weight of just 350kg!) I've long since resigned myself to the fact I have to load it "up top", although it would be nice to find a combination that allows me to pull up in one precise movement, with the Delica and it's oil-tanker like turning circle, I actually have to stop half way, drop a pair of additional jockey wheels, and shunt the trailer sideways. There's just no getting away from the hill being a bit of a nightmare for most vehicles, and 2wd things faced with it in the wet will soon start spinning a wheel, there's no doing it slow and steady in a manual, you just have to take your line and go for it to avoid bogging down.

Hadn't found that thread though toot, so thanks for the link! Interesting to see your experiences with the Jimny aswell. I was all set to get a later auto for the purpose for shifting the trailer and using locally, but ended up discounting it on the basis I'd have to effectively run it with the front axle de-activated to enable it to pull up in 4 Low but only driving the rear wheels for fear of wrecking the centre diff. Dug up a pic of the "situation" here. Even this doesn't give a true appreciation of how ridiculously steep it is!

Welllll I said Pajero, but really it's a Delica although that's usually met with blank stares. Much the same though mechanically, 3.0L V6 Petrol, 4spd auto, hi/lo range but I just use it in 4H to tow up the slope, which it manages very well, even if stopping and starting off again on the incline. I don't even hate it for having averaged 17mpg in it's time with me! But the kids have outgrown the middle row seating and the back row is redundant. I've found a few good old threads commending the Yeti for it's manoeuvrability and also relating to the 140 and 170 being very capable with the DSG as a towcar. But i have to admit to a lacking a total understanding of the DSG clutch system. Am I going to harm it if I do stop off and start again under heavy load up a slope?

Weighing up the possible options for replacing my old Mitsubishi Pajero, which is a great tow vehicle but no longer suiting our overall needs. Very much like the idea of a 2.0l TDI Yeti 4x4 but would have to be an auto. I have no prior experience of DSG gearboxes. Are they content with being put under hefty load at low speed? I ask as my (400kg empty) trailer is stored down a perilous access road, and getting it out requires going up a very severe slope and round a corner - a manoeuvre that is best done at a crawl. thoughts and input welcome, am i barking up the wrong tree on this one?

Well, just to round this off sepulchrave was correct in his diagnosis, rack seals shot. Rapidly became apparent that it was peeing PAS juice. Recon rack purchased last week for £150 (outright) and fitting was pleasantly straightforward. Steering feel at low speeds greatly improved! Happy days

Private purchase, I've budgeted for a bit of remedial work. Not had any knocks in our care, but the state of the alloys suggests it's kissed a few curbs in it's time! Reasoning behind diving into the engine bay would be to check the fluid level at the pump and to determine there is no other source of an oil leak. The general area around the rack end and lower wishbone inner mountings is pretty oily. Will get the car up again for a look anyway and report back, does sound like it's going to be needing a new rack / rebuild.

Two weeks into ownership of our new Fabia and it's disgracing itself by spotting the driveway with oil, something the rest of my cars manage not to do despite all being older! Whilst under it last week doing oil and filters I noticed the steering rack gaiter was dripping a bit of oil and found to be loose at the little end due to a slack spring clip which I've replaced. Now correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think the outer ends of the rack should be "wet" ? Does this point to a leaking seal on the rack? Compound this with a symptom I'm noticing on low speed quick turns where the steering feel is definitely "notchy" If I get time tomorrow I shall have the battery and air filter housing out for further investigation in that area. I understand there is an electrically driven PAS pump under there? Any further thoughts or pointers welcome! Ta, Phil

Well spotted. Reliants are my primary love and that Scimitar has been with me for many years. Trying to resist allowing the Fabia to become a "project car" beyond routine servicing, the whole point was getting something we can just use so I can keep more time free for tinkering with the troublesome old cars!

Well, finally we've got a Skoda on the driveway again after about 8 years without. I had a '99 Octavia 1.9tdi estate, which was a useful thing indeed and my wife had an '02 Octavia 1.6 saloon which clocked up loads of miles as her commuter. Going back to being a 2 car family and was steering towards a Fabia this time just to have something a bit smaller for ferrying the kids about in locally. She spotted a Monte Carlo with stripes down the middle and a garish great big spoiler on the back and said that's what she wanted. Talked her out of that specific car then managed to pick this one up for a keen price locally. Seems an honest enough car, wants a few little things doing. Currently enjoying the brilliant MPG we've seen in it so far, goes very well too, annoyingly it's quicker than my "sports car" !