Warrior193

By far the easiest way is to simply replace the coolant expansion tank before there's any chance of the silica bag breaking down - quick, clean and easy job to do yourself. Tools required - new OEM expansion tank (make sure 'without silicat'), turkey baster to empty tank, suitable hose clip pliers (available online) approx. 500mls G13 or G12++ coolant to refill tank.

Hi BC, when is your engineer due to inspect the damaged clutch components?

Hi BC, welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear of your problem, certainly not something you would expect so early on. From your detailed description of the start of the problem, it rather sounds to me as if it started with failure of the clutch-release cylinder - with the clutch plate possibly 'burning out' from resultant damage to clutch diaphragm and slippage afterwards.

I agree with Carston, adding a valve extension could just end up adding another possible source of leakage. Give the spare a pressure-check when you have a chuck-out / clean-up of the load bay.

The grey one with the extreme negative camber on the rears.

Hi Tamsin, welcome to the forum. Are you referring to the navigation system card?

I did a random search on that part number without success so far.

Add to that list - MY16 Octavia 1.4TSI - no silica bag from factory.

Well, at a guess I'd call that "Rear bumper, lower support bracket, left-side" Try that description as a start for a part # search.

A little difficult to see how casting sand has been left in cooling channels, as some posters have posited, but seemingly no evidence of it in oil ways. I have not seen actual engine-block production, but I'd guess the bare block goes through thorough cleansing process involving all passages. On another note, the appearance of the residue that has been the cause of heating matrix's may possibly be a little misleading - I once had a diesel contamination (diesel bug) issue in my boats fuel system - the stuff clogging the primary and secondary filters was black and gritty, and looked (and felt) for all the world like sand! It was actually dead and dying bacteria.

Possibly so, I just changed the expansion bottle on my MY16 Octavia as a precaution - late 2015 model, same part number as yours - I can't see any bag in mine either but a easy job for ease of mind in avoiding an expensive problem.

I think this is mainly to do with the shape of the fuel tank, also you tend to get a few litres up into the filler tube if brimming the tank, which will account for a few extra miles.

#4 really easy job - Iv'e just done my Mk111, less than £15 (prob <A$30) for the tank, 15mins to replace - no need to de-pressurise coolant system if done when cold. A cheap turkey-baster is useful for emptying the bottle, and having a hose clamp-release tool helps.

Could it be that the oil is being blown out via the crankcase breather? Normally, gasses from this should be routed back through the engine - but has someone modded it so that it just blows out onto the road under the car as you drive? This quantity should still be visible behind you though, plus I'd expect to see obvious signs of this under the vehicle.

At the very least, once you have one of their cars, it will concentrate their minds to sorting yours ASAP.

A Dealer not telling the truth? Surely not!

Hi James, wow, 5 litres in a thousand! are there any signs of oil leaks? If it's burning it, that car should be laying a smokescreen like a T74!

Hi James, welcome to the forum. A pity you didn't persist with the supplier at the time of purchase. How much oil is it using per thousand miles? Is there significant blue (oil) smoke from the exhaust when accelerating from the overrun?

Hi Rod, why have you not been offered a courtesy car, have you tried pushing for one?

Wow, what a relief that must be for you, big 'thumbs up' for Lukes' dad.

I must get around to that too - got a replacement header tank a few months ago.

Hi Adam, welcome to the forum - if you wish to edit somethin you post, click on the 3 period-stops in the top right corner, you will see option to edit.

Result, although that seems a rather unreasonable reaction to the new car!

Hi Rich, welcome to the forum - pretty sure there's no jack supplied unless a spare wheel (full-size or space-saver) is fitted. At the very least, there should be the socket for the anti-theft wheel bolts, the tool for removing the decorative bolt caps and a tyre pump.

Hi Sload, welcom to the forum - did the dealer supply you with a 2nd key? Some Timsons branches are able to code replacement at half the price Langers quoted.