maverick54

Noticed the coolant level was quite low in my car. So carried out a number of checks over the past week. No external leaks anywhere, did a pressure test.. Did a sniff test and no exhaust fumes in the coolant. Car not overheating. The only strange thing I have found is when my car as been standing overnight outside, sometimes for upto 12hrs and I remove the coolant bottle cap, the coolant is still under pressure and the coolant comes rushing back up into the bottle with some force. Now I know when its hot and under pressure the hoses can expand and fluid can fill these hoses and cause the coolant level to drop, but surely as the engine is switched off and the coolant begins to cool should it not push its way back up into the expansion tank giving me a correct level? Not sure how the pressure expels itself from the system as it cools. Could a faulty expansion cap couse this problem to happen?

Thanks Gizmo, Kind of hoped someone would say that. Time to go shopping for a new scanner 😀

Had a couple of Temporary Fault Codes. I was able to clear these with a generic code reader and turn off the engine light. The scanner listed the temporary faults with a brief description of what they were but didn't display any actual fault codes. Is this normal with temporary faults? Thanks

Thanks for that, I'll check out which led bulbs will fit.

Thanks for the replies. I did wonder about fitting a switch in the boot to manually operate them. Would one switch do both lights or would it require 2 seperate switches? Didn't know the radio stayed on that long. I will check again to see if they go off after 30mts. Just in case any of you are wondering I go fishing a couple of times a week and its common to leave the boot open all day. The car is parked next to where I'm fishing and several trips are made back and forth to the boot throughout the day to swap or change tackle items etc. If I was to constantly open and close the boot all day it would annoy other anglers and possibly disturb the fish. It also stops the car from getting so hot on those long summer days.

Is there a simple way other than removing the bulbs, that I can turn off the boot lights in my 2011 hatchback? It doesn't have maxidot just in case anyone suggests I can do it from there.. I thought they might turn off themselves if the boot was left open for any length of time but mine don't appear to do so. Thanks

Thanks for the info guys. Just need to shop around to find a nice cheap offer now 👍

Interesting reading Silver, thanks for the link. Notice Mike had put a part number in the 1st thread. I quote ' Part number now is S1Z5 995 711D for the hatch ' I thought IZ5 was the estate version of the Octavia so is the wiper motor the same on Estate & Hatchback? Also is there a newer part number for the hatchback? Don't want to be buying old stock due to all the known problems and revisions I've read about in the threads. Thanks

Had a quick look at it yesterday but didn't have much time. The bottle had plenty of water in it, and only needed a bit to fill it up. Front washers are working completely clean the back one was struggling and squirting orange rusty water again. I took the jets off the wiper blade and worked the switch. It had good pressure and shot thick orange water up into the air for several seconds before it started running clear. Unless there is an additional pump in the back (which I doubt) as well as the one in the front bottle, then the rear wiper motor would appear to make sense. Anyone know if these are serviceable or will I need to order a new one? Thanks

Last couple of times my washer bottle fluid level has got low I've had thick brown rusty goo coming out of the rear washer jets all over the back window. (Mk 11 Hatch Back) Now I know the obvious answer is don't let the washer fluid get low then' But where is the rust coming from? It's got a plastic bottle so is the pipe from front to rear made of steel and the likely culprit or is there another part likely to blame? I'm guessing if something in the system is rusting then at some point its going to fail altogether so I would like to have a look at it now if I can. Thanks

Had a slow leak in one of my tyres so nipped to the local tyre fitters to get it sorted. It was leaking badly around the rim and when he pulled the tyre off he showed me the flaking on the inside of the rim and invited me to run my finger over it. I couldn't believe how rough and badly pitted it was. I know alloy can't rust so what causes it to break down and flake on the inside of the rim when the tyre is supposed to have an air tight seal there to begin with? He ran it on the machine and filed & wire brushed it smooth, then when he refitted the tyre and he brushed some pink paste like stuff around the rim and tyre. I'm guessing to help seal it over any imperfections in the rim. What was this?

Thanks for the replies guys. Its clear in colour. It does look like silicon sealer but was a bit tougher to prise off. Silicon sealer usually dries with a rubbery texture if I'm correct but this was a little bit firmer. As long a silicon won't hamper the conductivity I'm happy to try that.

Hi guys this question is not about my car but about my 5 yr old Grandaughter's 12v ride on car lol. Just had to change the battery on it and it has spade connections on the terminals. Had to give the wires a gentle prise off as there is some sort of protective silicone over the contacts. Guessing its to prevent the wires coming loose and to keep out any condensation. Whatever it is it must be applied over the contacts then sets to form a solid waterproof bond. I would like to apply some onto the new connections but haven't a clue what it is. Any one know?

Thanks for the replies guys. Hadn't come across those usb chargers before. Just ordered one. Thought I was going to have to hard wire a port in.

Hi , not really into techy stuff so I thought I would ask you guys that are how I go about this one. I need to install a usb port in my 2011 Octavia Saloon so that I can charge a device on a regular basis whilst driving. I would prefer it as close to the small silver flip up lid which is by the gear stick as possible. How do I go about this and what do I need to buy to get the job done? Thanks guys. John

Thanks I'll take a look see if I can spot what your referring too.

After jacking up the car with a trolly jack at the sill points, I always find it impossible to find somewhere to put the axle stands due to the under trays fitted to the car. Have any of you removed them for this purpose? Got to change the rear springs and shockers and I really want the car to be safe whilst I'm working on it.

Need to change my rear shock absorbers. Eurocarparts seem a bit pricey. Anyone any recommendations? Just a bog standard 1.4 TSI Mk11 Thanks

If I take the alloys off my car and clean with Valet Pro Billberry to remove all dirt and dust, what then to make cleaning them on the car easier next time? Is there something quick and easy I can spray on that will help stop the dirt and dust sticking so badly next time I come to clean them?

Tried the nozzle today that came along with the new karcher. It also included a sample bottle, 500mls of shampoo. No knob on top of the nozzle to adjust how much shampoo it took and it quickly got through the full 500mls. Is 500mls about the correct amount per wash for a large family saloon? Ordered the Snow Foam Lance I mentioned in my earlier post off the bay and may try the demon foam or even the carplan valet foam both cheap and from Halfords. I understand there are better products out there but don't want to spend a lot untill I've got the hang of it. I found an old Autoexpress review mentioning Bilt Hamber which they gave top marks for. Maybe one for the future. Thanks for the help guys.

Thanks for the replies guys. Should have mentioned its a Karcher K2 full control washer I have purchased. Is this the sort of thing I need? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Karcher-K-Series-Car-Snow-Foam-Lance-Sprayer-High-Pressure-Washer-1LTR-Bottle-MR/263458464684?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

I'm sure this has been covered before so appologies if your sick of this topic coming up. Just bought a new Karcher and it came with a snow foam nozzle. Youtube vids are plentiful and conflicting so thought I'd ask you guys. Wondering if it's worth me buying some stuff to try in the nozzle, but which stuff? Does snow foam remove much of the dirt prior to a proper wash and is the stuff expensive to buy or are the cheaper products available upto the job? I'd welcome advice from anyone that uses the stuff. Thanks

Well the last 2 posts have been really pleasing to read. I have been really happy with the octavia but was only able to get a saloon when I purchased it and really I wanted an estate. Needed a car in a hurry and had to settle for what I could get and not what I wanted. My hobby is fishing and as I'm getting older, lifting my heavy seatbox in and out of the boot is getting a bit hard on the back these days. Then ther's the 2 6ft rod bags. Plus there is the Grandaughters pushchair and endless bags of shopping etc. The Autotrader prices quoted are very favourable as mine as only just done 62,000 miles. Then again asking for and getting are two different things all together in the second hand car market.

Almost 4 yrs now since I bought my 2011 Octavia. I have always reckoned that to lose about £1000 per year on the value of a second hand car is about right. Paid £6995 for it so now I reckon i've lost over half my money. Trade in would probably be around £2000 only. The 4 years seem to have past by so quickly. Been looking at other possible motors to replace the octavia but hard to face reality and realise I've lost about £5000 already on the original price and would probably need another £5000 to put to the trade in price for another car. What do you think are my calculations about right?

Yes the chrome bit clips into the top of the gear knob. There are a number of different shapes so make sure you get the correct one. Ordered mine thru main dealer and it didn't cost much.