Papez

You know, it's really tiring to read these comments. We get it, you hate VW, no need to mention it in every post, especially when the part in question has nothing to do with VW. The float and entire instrument panel is development of Favorit made in CZ, not a VW part. If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything.

I guess it's a hardware limit and it would need a newer unit. I wonder how much vehicle-specific is firmware in those units and if you could use one from a different vehicle. Some Lupos had ESP-capable systems, those could be faster.

Yeah, got mine changed and needed new brake regulator, because threads in it stripped when service disconnected the lines to drop the beam. Supposedly it can be done without it, but I'm not sure. Also, the old bushes weren't that worn (but it was 10 years ago), but I'm not sure if replacing them with Vika parts is good idea.

Found some more detailed info about Octavia's ABS https://www.scribd.com/document/357889912/SSP-26-Octavia-Vehicle-Safety At least the EDS version is 4-channel, but duty cycle is 5-6 cycles/s (same figure for the older MK3 golf system)

Felicia's ABS is not first gen. Couldn't find exact capabilities, but pre-facelift models used units from MY95+ MK3 golf, which was already upgraded unit, capable of replacing rear pressure regulator and optional EDS function, which suggests it's at least 3-channel system (independent control of front wheels and rear axle). Post-facelift models use Lupo (standard) or MK4 Golf (EDS) control unit - I found conflicting information whether those are 3 or 4 channel systems, but it's apparent that Felicia was on par with VAG models of the time.

I think this is the place where the additional sill brace ends. The A-pillar deformed, but didn't fail entirely.. there's an infamous crashtest of Škoda Estelle that was much worse. And many 90's cars didn't look much better. By comparison, even Fabia had some deformation (for some reason, the videos above got swapped. So here's a screenshot.) The description here says, that this deformation actually reduces load on the ribcage, but the movement causes impact of knees to the dashboard. It's not really obvious, but the test above is moderate overlap, not full front. I think it's shown successful transmission of forces from one front beam to the center tunnel, so full frontal wouldn't be much better. It's not great from the modern point of view, but at least provides bare minimum, which is more than lot of cars in that era.. Unfortunately that only applies to cars with airbag. The strut brace, deformable steering pillar and belt pretensions on both front seats are pretty crucial additions, but unfortunately, these were limited to certain markets or limited editions and most people buying new car didn't pay extra for that feature.

Ofcourse, modern cars are safe, I went through some NCAP records to check their methodology and it seems it changed the side crash from 950 to 1300kg sometimes between 2012 and 2016. But at least it means that Felicia is not as unsafe as it's often said.

It's not that bad. Felicia has some extra reinforcements around B-pillar aswel, compared to Favorit, not just door bars. I found a 1999 article where Felicia passed crashtest under ADAC methodology (however I didn't find other cars tested under the same methodology to compare) https://archiv.hn.cz/c1-793307-v-crash-testu-ziskala-skodovka-vybornou-znamku This is how it looked afterwards. The test used a 950kg deformable barrier moving at 50km/h. A family friend went through this exact type of crash, with no injuries apart from bruised shoulder (no side airbags). They are just for that - to provide some extra padding. Its Spanish cousin from the same era for comparison (ncap also used 950kg trolley at 50km/h at that time) Tbh, MK1 Fabia doesn't look much better

Yes. They were pretty rare, with exception of cars made after 2000 for Austrian market (I wonder if there was a regulation) - I have personally seen an Austrian felicia in most basic spec available, but it had 4 airbags.

It's a factory part, not modification. The only modification on those photos is custom upholstery with red Sportline fabric in the centre.

The factory mechanism works by pushing a metal spiral through plastic tube. That plastic tube always snaps on the electric regulator due to poor quality. Manual regulator has thicker and softer tube, so they aren't damaged that often.

Those are seats from Felicia with side airbags. Backrest frames come from Octavia, but they have modified mounting so they could be bolted to Felicia base.

The basic fabric upholstery is quite durable. Mine only started to show some wear when the foam torn and frame went through. When I noticed it, I quickly fixed it and the seats lasted another tens of thousands km until I sold them. They probably still ride around in another Felicia. Oh, at one point, I had to replace the frame as well, as it cracked near the base.

That has more to do with poor quality of the mechanism on the electric windows. For some reason, they used harder and thinner plastic on the tube and it can crack just from flex during installation (ask me how I know). I replaced mine with tube from a manual mechanism and it worked well.

There's a twin cam that works well in Felicia - 1.4/1.6 16V from 6N Polo sport/GTI. Maybe that would make it easier to fit in the Estelle. There's also an aluminium block version used in later 6Ns and Lupo, which shouldn't be much heavier than the original engine.

The originals are the best from comfort standpoint - they have touch auto roll up/down with pinch protection, IMO, electric windows without that are pointless. Here's an installation guide in Czech, that includes wiring diagrams as well - it should be easy to translate with Google. https://www.feliciaklub.cz/navody/elektricke-ovladani-oken-2.html It's also possible to modify the regulators to rear doors just by swapping the rear rail onto them and they allow for secondary button, since the same motors were used in VW T4 (but with different window mechanism) The disadvantage is that they are hard to come by and they weren't cheap. You may be able to get second hand, but the plastic Bowden tube is often damaged - but it's repairable and there are 3rd party spares available. There were also some conversion kits sold by Skoda themselves, which had metal tubes and were also available for rear windows, but those are probably even harder to get. The last option is generic conversion kit that just turns the crank for you. These all have same basic connection, where the button itself turns the voltage and all you need to do is get 2 wires to the door.

I had a similar issue in Felicia. The backrest is just too low. I liked Airbag seats, which had longer backrest frame from Octavia and could be equipped with a adjustable headrest (and adjustable lumbar support), unfortunately it's not an option with limited edition seats.. unless you pay quite a lot for new upholstery.

What does this mean? Switch on the radiator? Coolant temp sensor? Intake air temperature sensor? I didn't see mention of the fuel filter replacement. I'd try that, especially if the car didn't run for a long time. Another thing would be check for exhaust leaks - Felicia has oxygen sensor after the flex pipe, a leak there could throw the readings off. (This happened on my car with a similar VW engine) Did any of the mechanics do proper diagnostic reading, i.e. check the values instead just the fault codes?

As I stated above, it's not OK. For Felicia, only the 1.6 is fine to use it. 1.3 MPI - E10 may damage the seals on the fuel pressure regulator and Skoda recommends replacement. For all other variants of the Skoda OHV engine in Felicia and older models, the E10 fuel is not recommended - but the concern is around the rubber/plastic parts in the fuel system, not the engine itself, so YMMV.

95RON is what these engines were built for. The 54HP variant of 1.3 could run even on 91. The reason people recommend higher octane fuel is, because most of these fuels have lower amount of ethanol in them. Ethanol can potentially cause issues in older cars - in Felicia, it depends on engine, 1.6 should be fine, 1.3 MPI should be fine after change of injector seals from Fabia, I'm not sure about the SPI - you didn't write which engine you have. Edit: found more precise info, distributed by Skoda - the problematic part are fuel regulator seals, PN 047198031 - it's not available from Skoda, but there are alternatives.

Most oil pans, even alloy ones, are flat, Estelle's got fins inside and outside specifially to improve the heat transfer. But once they moved engine to the front, they reverted to simpler stamped steel pan... Whether it was because of the reason you mention, or because the front engine is more likely to get a hit. The cooling system didn't change since Favorit. In fact, the radiator is inherited from Estelle So VW didn't have their fingers in that. I really only had this issue after pushing the engine near the end of the oil change interval. Anyway, I regularly used the full range of the tachometer and the engine has done 320k km, so it wasn't fragile at all 😃 But on highways, I cruised at 3500RPM in most cases. Only the diesel ones. But the heat exhcange block from the diesel is often used as an upgrade. I don't understand the logic by which VW fitted the oil cooler to their engines.. 1.6 AEE in Felicia didn't have one, same with 1.4 16V, both 74 and 100BHP variants, but 1.6 16V, which is basically AEE with the 1.4 head, had it... Nowadays, I think that only the 1.0 N/A doesn't have it. They are 8V, but relatively wide camshaft, especially compared to the VW equivalent. I experienced torque drop between 2000-2500RPM in two different cars, the peak moved up as the chain stretched with use... The sweet spot was between 2500-3500, the engine was economical, but elastic. I could regularly achieve sub 6l consumption, with record on a 150km being 5,3l/100km, while keeping the engine in this range.

The windscreen has the same shape, but Favorit doesn't have mount for the center mirror.

Your car has an oil cooler, too - on Estelle's, the alloy oil pan served as a replacement for an actual oil cooler that was used in 110 and early 120LS models. It's primitive, but it serves the purpose. It's quite common on 90's cars as well, at least the oil/coolant type - even diesel Felicia has it. Funny when you talk about this - I was reading through Favorit manual, looking for the line that it shouldn't be ran above 3500 that I remember - I didn't find it, but towing part mentioned that it shouldn't drive faster than 80km/h during towing - even if trailer and legislation allows it. It also mentions shifting up as soon as possible due to cooling limitations. Do you have an oil thermometer? Oil can go well over 100 degrees in high load conditions, like highway driving, without cooling. I managed to overheat my Felicia's oil once, after driving 20min at 140km/h (around 4k RPM) - the oil pressure light started to flash, because the oil became too thin.

The green section is the most economical area (Felicia has extended it to 3500RPM), keeping the engine beyond leads to higher consumption, but it can also overheat the engine oil, since these engines lack an oil cooler. But it will survive accelerations all the way to the red area, if they are not frequent and the engine is at correct temp.

I checked the factory manual, it doesn't say anything about different springs on the rear axle. However, 419mm length sounds like a passenger Felicia spring. Pickups have different rear axle with 340mm springs... The 1.3/1.6 will be likely different stiffness, but same ride height. I found some inserts designed for Pickup, however they are not road legal. https://www.sp-el.cz/sada-2-podlozek-zadnich-tlumicu-felicia-pickup-/-pick-up-/-fun