rhauri

Haha, cambelt lottery!! Yeah same, I had it done straight away too. Think I've spent double again on it of what I paid - prob should have just bought a low mileage SE in reflection, but hey ho!

Intercooler fitted and works a dream - cheers mate!! Awesome result. Think I'm going to put together the DIY hard & silicone pipe kit for the top hose, and that should cure my boost leaks, everything underneath seems alright.

Great news! Bought my vRS with 168k on it two years ago, no one 198,500 and in the process of giving her a whole new lease of life with new suspension, engine mounts, intercooler and various other repairs. Oh and a wash! Have you done the Cambelt yet?

Perfect, thanks mate!

Thanks again JRJG for the intercooler, a great credit to the Briskoda community! Will keep you informed!

Cheers Phil, yeah I've seen the same and also priced up the parts. I think I'm going to possibly do this for the top pipe. How long ago did you do this - do you have the links available still for the parts you bought? Thanks!

Amazing mate, really appreciate it. Will send you a PM now!

Ah really?! That would be awesome! I'm only in Southport, Merseyside mate, happy to drive to you or which ever? Only about 20 / 25 minutes away on a good run.

Cool, that's good then. Well my intercooler is shot too, done well to last 199k! So changing over the IC as well as looking for a solution to sort out boost leaks from the pipes. I think I'm gonna try the self tappers first as its a cheap/free solution, although not the prettiest. That said, I have also been looking at putting together a DIY boost pipe kit with parts off eBay and IC couplers from Forge, just trying to work out whats needed for the Turbo > IC pipe.

Hey folks, Is there any difference between the OEM intercooler for the ASZ engine or BLT engine? i.e.: Would the below fit my 2005 ASZ engined vRS? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-FABIA-MK1-vRS-2005-07-1-9-TDI-BLT-INTERCOOLER-RAD-6Q0-145-604-E-6Q0145604E-/222262905799?hash=item33bfe6cbc7:g:qykAAOSwmLlX6jTX Also, has anyone had any luck with pattern parts such as the below? Or any other recommendations? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SKODA-FABIA-2004-2007-INTERCOOLER-1-9-TDi-MANUAL-AC-03-05-ASZ-/142101948663?fits=Model%3AFabia&hash=item2115efa8f7:g:BXUAAOSwAKxWZL4- Thanks all!!

Certainly is cost effective! Not a bad shout either, not bothered about it being pretty really - function over form! Will have a look, thanks mate. Hehe, yeah, somewhat blows the budget out of the water!

Would love to, but I haven't seen many up - and getting an OEM kit from a breakers doesn't give much guarantee they'll be any better. If there was a second hand silicone boost hose kit up for grabs though, I wouldn't hesitate! Yeah, I fully expect it's worn lugs. Have you got any more details of your mikalor clamp?

Hey folks, So, the boost hoses on my 2005 Fab vRS (ASZ) are slack after 199,000 miles so I'm loosing a bit of pressure. Thanks to the ingenious design of the VAG hoses, jubilee clips arn't going to do anything. I've already bought a brand new top hose (feeds the EGR) and clips, but that it still slack and pops out a bit just like the old one, so not sure buying all new OE hoses is the best idea. Don't fancy the self tapper route as it feels a bit of a bodge and I am paranoid about swarf getting into the engine. Replacement silicone hose kits seem to be around the £200 mark (£225 for the Forge kit). Is there a cost effective solution to this? A cheaper silicone/hard-pipe kit maybe? Or decent third party replacement kit? I'd happily pay up to about £100. Thanks!

Out of interest, do you have a photo of how this looked when fitted? Also, where did you get it from? Thanks!

Hi, Sorry I can't see you pictures at the moment. I'm looking for the interior light from a Fabia vRS mk1 (black plastic) if you have it available? Thanks! Rhauri

Hi, I'm looking for the interior light from a Fabia vRS mk1 (black plastic) if you still have it available? Thanks! Rhauri

Did you ever get to the bottom of this? I have similar. Or has anyone else experienced this?

Even Euro Car Parts are reasonable for the genuine TRW (Lucas) article, and are pre-painted! http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Skoda_Fabia_1.9_2005/p/car-parts/brakes/brake-hydraulics/brake-caliper/?133443760&1&bab31cccfa998e524ee757141ff2620d351fd222&000048 http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Skoda_Fabia_1.9_2005/p/car-parts/brakes/brake-hydraulics/brake-caliper/?133443770&1&f30a115212030685ebac71fd40ecc400fa0cba32&000048 Check out CESuk / Kimber Car Parts and other motor factors... Kimber seem good for the TRW's, just a bigger surcharge and you'll need to post your old units back if not local to them: http://www.kimbercarparts.co.uk/brake-parts/Brake-Calipers/Skoda/Fabia/all/1.9/2005/Parts.aspx

Buying a pre-refurbed caliper can work out cheaper sometimes - check out all good motor factors as they all use OEM Lucas castings.

Hi, There's a big thread on these springs, after a long and painful read - here are my conclusions: Below part numbers are for the Golf caliper and are arguably a bit too strong for the Lucas caliper's on a Fabia making the handbrake very heavy and no doubt putting constant strain on the cable. Ontop of that, whilst they fit just fine - its not an 'as designed' fit: 1KO 615295 1KO 615296 The below are the correct springs for our Lucas calipers, do the job well without negative impacts to handbrake lever weight or cable strain: 7HO 615 295A (N/S) 7HO 615 296 (O/S) I ordered the latter from TPS for just under a fiver, and can report they work perfectly and fit perfectly. I'd recommend ordering these (7HO) over the Golf ones (1KO). Cheers, Rhauri

Hey, When you say knocking, when does it happen? And where does the knocking come from if you were sat in the drivers seat?

Ah the guys in Chester are great, dead happy to help and genuinly really friendly! Just on the odd occasion their prices smack you in the face, like a Radiator Fan for £275! Equivalent item was £50 from ECP or £15 on eBay (second hand of course). I went with the latter.

TPS are my first port of call for all things VAG - they're more than likely bang on the money! Sometimes though, an utter let down!

Interesting comments. Got to bare in mind its all so subjective based on what else we have driven. I've changed calipers on my S2000's and my Fabia, and that has always introduced a bit of air. So a wee drive, and a re-bleed will sort that out. I then changed my brake fluid in the S2 for ATE Blue, using the gravity method, so not touching the pedal at all - and that got rid of all spongey feel completely. So since the S2 brakes we rock hard, firm and capable. Then I got my vRS, and these things are so over-servo'd its nuts! As a result, there isn't much feel in them so its hard to modulate. I changed my rear sticking caliper, and as usual, a bit of air still in the caliper, a bit spongey, a re-bleed and all good - using the gravity method. I can't help but think you've still got a bit of air in your system somewhere, as that spongey feel is usually a result of water or air in the system being compressed. A gravity bleed takes alot more time, but I feel more safe in the knowledge that any air/water is certain you work its way out with the old fluid. Another neat trick of getting air out of the system is using a breaker bar, or similar, forcing the brake pedal to be 'On' for at least overnight, prefereably 24 hours. You may have to disconnect your battery so not to drain it of charge (Brake lights). You'll jump into the car the next day and should have a more firm pedal. Maybe give it a go?

I think you should subject yourself to a 2 week ban from using a car - and rely on Public Transport exclusively for that time. You may find that you're quite happy with Public Transport for where you go and what you do and dont really miss the car, or it will highlight just how much quicker you can get from A to B with vastly increased flexibility when you have the use of your own car. It will certainly help you make up your mind. What else would you do with the £1750? Bank it, go on holiday, buy a drum kit? What would make you happier? Alternative - Your Mum sells her car, buys yours off you at a discounted price, but you get to use it on the odd occasion you might need it (assuming no conflicts!) If you're unsure whether to bother with a £1750 car, don't go and buy a 54 plate car, you would stand to loose alot more than that in depreciation alone.