Boatman1

UPDATE Advice needed Got a local garage to flush the engine 3 times (coolant was manky) and replace the blocked heater matrix at considerably less cost than the ludicrous price quoted by Skoda (£2,000). They also cleaned out the reservoir. Got the car home checked the fluid reservoir and it was empty which was not the main problem as I reckon there was probably an air lock in the system or one of the electronic gates in the engine wasn't open when they refilled it. The problem was I got no low coolant warning light also my cruise control and auto stop start function no longer works. Does anyone know whether you have to reset the electronic system after removing the low coolant sensor plug? Could it just be a blown fuse? Is the cruise control electronics anywhere near the coolant bottle? Any technical advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks Sepulchrave, is the thermo and ECT sensor one part?

Prior to replacing rear bearings but after replacement of front bearings callipers etc, thought the noise was the rear bearings going as it was close to the mileage at which they were last replaced.

Have a leak in my vrs radiator which Winns radweld has sealed for the moment, how much should I be looking at to have a garage fit a new one? also, are there any other parts eg hoses I should replace at the same time? Thanks.

That is a very good suggestion, my blacksmith tells me there is such a thing as a leaky cast where sand remains in the cast.

Have no heat, the matrix is blocked for the third time, managed to clear the original matrix so will reinstall after flushing the system. Still losing coolant sporadically which the dealer says is due to evaporation due to overheating (inter cooler not working properly) but the gauge says engine temperature is normal. Coolant badly discoloured and producing a rust coloured gunge around the reservoir.

Actually, I do live near a steam train, it's particularly annoying because the callipers, pads discs and bearings front and back have all been replaced in the past 12 months, will try switching the wheels around though am reluctant to put the premier tyres on the rear. Thank you all for your suggestions.

Update to this topic, took my vehicle to Skoda dealer in Inverness payed £140 for 1hr diagnosis was told there was no oil in the coolant nor external leaks. They said the discolouration of the fluid was due to rust from the engine block and suggested the coolant loss was due to a problem with the intercooler not working properly (the car has never overheated). They quoted me £2,000 to do an engine flush and said they would need the car for three days as it is a complicated process and takes many hours to do it properly (I was speaking with their senior engineer). They quoted me £900 to investigate the intercooler problem. They also told me my model of car did not come with a silica bag despite the fact I had removed it from the reservoir. They said the engine configuration was extremely complicated and Skoda no longer build these types of engines. I shook my head and left.

Above 30mph got a woo woo sound from the rear which seems to be in time with the wheels turning/engine speed. Replaced both rear bearings as they were due for a change anyway given the mileage since the last change and thought this would resolve the issue but no. Anyone got any ideas on what might be the issue?

06 plate 130k Scotland repainted my sills 3 yrs ago looked great for about a year then the rust came through worse than ever. I think I need to rustproof them from the inside before bothering with the paintwork. also have bubbling on the rear quarter panels where they meet the plastic and on the front wings where they meet the sills two spots on the wheel arches are now rusting good style. Am in 2 minds as to whether to let it go for another 5 years since we probably wont be allowed to drive diesels by then or take the time and effort to do something about it.

Could be a blocked heater matrix, have you used radweld or similar in the coolant system? If not, check the colour of the coolant in the reservoir, is it normal, do you have a silica bag in the reservoir? is it intact? Let me know because I have had the same problem and still haven't solved it despite two heater matrix being replaced, both blocked, recently had a coolant flush still hasn't sorted it and my heater is now running cold again. Are you losing any coolant?

Was quoted over £200 + for a caliper (Octavia Mk3) but £50 rebate if I returned the old one. Garages were previously allowed to replace the pistons which they are no longer permitted to do. (hardly an onerous task) Are the public being charged new part prices for reconditioned calipers with new pistons installed, it looks like a scam to me. If so, these calipers should be under £100 to replace. Perhaps others involved in the motor industry know better but I feel this is something which should be rectified in favour of the consumer.

My wife has had her insurance for a mod fabia vrs for years with Shielas wheels £50 per mechanical mod on top of the premium. Dependent on power change it can be more. My only gripe is they also charge for an upgraded braking system work that one out.

Have been running mine without shields for years with 312mm discs on the front. shields rotted about 5 years ago.

update, had the cooling system flushed, new coolant same colour as the old stuff after 100 miles, also loss of coolant about one pint, could be down to an airlock but am regularly having to top up the coolant, no overheating of engine according to the gauge but am beginning to think head gasket car has only done 59K any ideas welcome.