Dazza95

Did you get a printout for the wheel alignment? I got mine done a while back after having a new track rod fitted, after alignment it drove worse than before. The garage couldn't provide a printout to show what'd had been adjusted. Took it somewhere else and got a full report, the alignment was way out. After being adjusted it drives much better

I've been very pleased with Bosch Aero.

Yes mine is 19mm, careful not to over tighten it.

I'll be going to TPS soon to pick up some stuff. I'll ask them for a price on the hiding

Item 15 in the diagram: http://workshop-manuals.com/skoda/fabia-mk1/power_unit/1.4/51;_55;_59_kw_tdi_pd_engine/fuel_supply_gas_operation/removing_and_installing_parts_of_the_fuel_supply_system/fuel_filter_summary_of_components/ One of the clips is broken on mine too :(

Have a read here: http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/21250-what-engine-oil-must-i-use-in-my-fabia-vrs/

This. I've insured both my car and my partners with them now.

Not really an answer to your question but the link to the thread below might interest you. I have a Shell fuel card through work so was thinking of switching to one of their oils but they don't seem to do a 5w-40 grade oil that meets the VAG spec. http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/402529-switching-to-5w-30-from-5w-40/ Ps. alloys are still going strong

Some all purpose cleaner and a brush (a toothbrush would work) followed by wiping over with a damp cloth until clean. A steam cleaner as suggested above would make it easier and quicker. I used to valet lots of cars and my product of choice for this sort of thing was Autosmart G101

Got mine done at a local locksmith for £80.

Excellent thank you

I trust the garage enough and I don't believe they'd do something like that

From my latest garage, does look like its wedged into the slot yes.

Ha. VW specialists apparently...

Naz Motors http://www.nazmotors.co.uk/ The garage who sorted it all out was Autotechz in Nottingham - http://www.autotechz.co.uk/ I've been using them for a while now and they've always been spot on and are very knowledgeable. Not sure who I'm going to use now that I've moved to Chester though.

Indeed, I was going to try get in touch with them but I feel there's little point after 2 years.

I recently had my cambelt changed at a VAG specialist, it had previously been changed when I bought the car 2 years ago at a cost of around £300 - the private dealer arranged the work before I picked the car up. Not so long after dropping my car off, the garage rang me up telling me what they found. The previous garage had used a bolt instead of a proper locking tool, they then started the engine without removing the bolt first causing it to shear off leaving the other half in the engine! See attached photos. I had to pay a for additional labour to get it removed and for some bolts (can't remember what they were). This sort of thing really bugs me, the garage showed me the relatively inexpensive proper locking tool that should have been used. It's not the fact that it cost me slightly more to get it rectified. I just can't understand how a garage would think it's acceptable to leave the car in such a state - surely they'd have known that the bolt was left in whent they started the engine? To top it off, the bolt was the wrong size anyway. I was apparently very lucky that there wasn't any damage caused. Rant over :p

I can vouch for my 1.4TDI, mine is remapped and it doesn't dissappoint I've been doing approximately 25-30k miles a year and I've never had anything major go wrong. In fact, I like it so much that I've just bought one for my partner - I was orginally going to try a 1.2 HTP but after advice on here, I stuck with the 1.4TDI. I've not heard about leaky fuel injectors before but I do know that the oil pump chain can fail and write off the engine.

Re point 2, does the battery light illuminate on ignition?

If you're worried about the system being gassed and to be on the safe side, you could ask a garage to evacuate the system for you before you do the work and promise you'll be back for a regas.

Yeah both were broken on mine, they're fixing it free of charge for me though before I pick it up next week. I had to explain the condenser fan to them, they'd not had anyone notice the issue before

I've bought the 1.4TDI, it had loads of history for things like wiper blades, window regulators, CV boots, bushes, brakes, door carrier seals, services (with the correct oil) etc. A couple of things need sorting - condenser fan only works on high speed and there is no battery light on ignition (load signal wire?) the timing belt is also due so that's being done as well. Apart from that it felt a lot 'tighter' than mine which makes me wonder what if mine is just a bit tired at 136k. The petrol model was a 1.4 16v but the condition and history wasn't great and it felt a little lumpy. Thanks for your help guys

I'm running a remapped 1.4TDI, it goes quite well As for noise, it's quite a characterful burble, difficult to explain - have a look on Youtube. It's pretty quiet up to around 70-75mph. I'm guessing 1.9 would probably be similar a remapped 1.4TDI as standard. It was cheaper for me to insure a remapped 1.4 than a standard 1.9.

Thanks for letting us know the outcome. I'm going to be buying another Fabia soon and the condenser fan is definitely something I'm going to check, it seems to be a common issue.

Fair point, going to see a 1.4TDI this weekend, the dealer apparently has a petrol model there as well but I can't remember what engine. I'll have to see