MagicMaciek

I will let others with experience to answer. Touch wood, my Fabia 1.4TDI is nearly 4 years old and only 30k and I have not had overheating problems ...yet. My earlier recall that was done by dealer for the previous owner only included coolant flush, from what I could see from the invoices. We all know there is a design flaw in the pump, but vendor is only guaranteeing proper functioning of the car for the duration of the warranty agreement. I would not think Skoda/VW would be keen on paying for your repair until you push them into the corner and arrange some class- legal action backed by 1000's of users in similar situation. Good luck with your quest and keep us here on the forum posted as there will be quite a few people in similar situation.

I have tried enabling the green menu on my bolero (as per instructions from VW forum) but had no luck... I could well be missing something, but have not had much time to look into this in great details I am afraid.

Hello Sittingbull, No service books these days with skodas. You can ask dealer to print out service details with invoices for the work. That is what I have asked for when getting my tdi. Invoices and records showed that coolant has been replaced out of schedule which is what vag does if pump has not failed so far. Mine is still ok, being '15 plate and having 23k on the clock. Hopefully that does the trick as warranty runs out with the end of the year for me. Let us know your findings!

With exception of a Bolero radio and its poor sound quality, poor to the point of your ears becoming bleeding, so far - so good. I purchased 15' plate SEL 77kW 1.4 Fabia TDI with 19k miles on the clock at the end of November last year, so only had the car for less than 3 months but covered more then 3k miles in it now. First it puzzled me how quickly this engine heats up to 90-100 deg (even on cold weather) and, being aware of pump problems, I started asking around. Apparently that is normal. I still wait until summer (just before warranty expires) to test if it does not overheat. Then I noticed quiet whining noise in 2-4 gear around 1400-1800 RPMs, which dealer told me is normal for the model. Noise has not made itself more apparent since, so assume that may be normal as well. Time will tell... Other than that, car is brilliant to drive. It returns on average 58-62 mpg (70% motorway at 75, 30% city leaps). Being an estate, it offers more space then you could as for in its class (fitting with motorbike in single garage). Does the job I want it to very well.

Any luck with Loudness options in the 'green menu', Matt? I will try to enable this on mine this weekend. Meanwhile, I have attempted to upgrade my Bolero but failed due to either: version of the current firmware being too old (138, upgrading to 252); or some files missing in the 252 upgrade package I found... Here is what I get (attached). Maybe I need an intermediate 'jump version' to make a leap to 2.52? I also looked into the settings for the radio via VCDS and compared them to one in new Fabia 67 plate, which sounded way better to mine, but had slightly newer model of Bolero as well. Settings were exactly the same as mine: Address 5F: Information Electr. (J794) Labels:| 3V0-035-MIB-STD2.clb Part No SW: 5Q0 035 820 HW: 5Q0 035 820 Component: MU-S-D-ER H11 0138 Coding: 03620200BE00000011111204008808002F0100C60120010000 It was the newer hardware, it seemed, though...

Not sure if anyone is still following this thread or if it is dead. Maybe everyone ditched their boleros and replaced them with upgraded models? I have found some more explanation re vcds register options I mentioned in my last post on vcds/vw forum and apparently Byte 5 select Bit 00 – Equalization: Linear Also, article mentiones something regardinggmonitoring speakers https://www.my-gti.com/1411/volkswagen-rns-510-coding-when-installing-with-a-factory-amplifier Anyone tried similar on Škoda ?

Thanks for pointing me to the thread. Seems that the vw camera is using composite vdo after all. Interesting

Hi Johnny, have you used volkswagen/Skoda dedicated reversing cam? How does the camera connect to bolero? I do have a rear facing dashcam with composite video feed lead which I thought about using as reversing cam but apparently bolero only takes its own RGB standard. I even found convertors for this but they cost more than VW type camera. What is your experience on this? Best regards

Hi Guys, I am having exact same observations on Bolero in my Fabia MK3 '15 Certain frequency range is just cut-out to the point that I cannot recognise some tracks... Part of the melody line or even some instruments are gone from known tunes! I have heard about fiddling with hex values of configuration registers of the unit via VCDS. Fiddling with some 01,04,05 values from one register (the byte 11 in block 5F. Default is 01) apparently changes audio modes and zeroing the value makes quality improvement... Some options remove Virtual subwoofer and Skoda surround options, allegedly, which may suggest they are DSP modes. Russian article below, even when google-translated, does not explain much... although guy claims to have some success with improving sound quality. https://www.drive2.ru/l/10356586/ Few English articles I have seen mention same change, but provide even less info. Has anyone had experience or access to documentation what the mentioned modes are about?

Thanks Guys. Appreciate your answers. I may go the Erwin route. By the looks of it, you can put in your VIN there to narrow down available manuals maching exactly your variant of the car. Is there any limit as for how much you can access or download during 24hrs? Anyone interested in co-funding and sharing 24hr subscription, to get manuals for their car as well?

Thanks vc-10. That all makes sense. Best /Maciek

I recently purchased my Fabia MK3 1.4 TDI (3-pot) and as with all my cars, I started looking for service manual for it, but having trouble finding anything for MK3. First I wanted to get Haynes, but there is no version covering MK3. Then I resorted to looking online, and found that majority of sellers list theirs as for up to MK2. I managed to message some of the sellers to confirm if new chassis is there and if the engine version is covered. Some confirmed that engine is covered, but still pointed me to their auctions which clearly list that material is for Fabia MK2... Also, £20-30 for a PDF copy of leaked Skoda official workshop manual, seem a bit over when you can buy hardcopy of Haynes within the price. Also, this is no investment for me. I like to tinker with stuff, but not a professional mechanic and will not make any money from this. It is not even that I do not want to pay, but I would like to be sure that I pay for something that suits my car. Does anyone have any experience and can recommend anything? In case you do not want to discuss things in public, please message me directly. Best, Maciek

Anyone willing to share what is your regular temp observed for Fabia 1.4 TDI and how quickly engine warms up to it? Does hot/cold weather affect this? Any whining noises in particular gears observed anywhere (as per my initial post)? Best regards, Maciek

I agree. Car fits the bill perfectly. I could not believe how functional it is. I still discover some small storage compartments or 12 plugs here and there. Also all that is packed into a class-mini chassis, although spacious inside and having 530L of boot space and still fitting into a single garage alongside a motorbike and a shelving uint full of stuff... If there would be option for me (within used-approved offer) to get leather seats or rear electric windows, I'd probably go for these to complement the rest. Buying new was not an option, unfortunately. No complaints. Great car regardless.

I have heard the 75 version runs on vapours! and I think they (75 version estate at least) are in one of the lowest insurance groups as well. If only they were better equipped, I would consider one. AC and cruise control was mandatory when choosing model. I only had my car for 2 weeks, but I see it averaging around 50mpg which is good. Motorway cursing seem to give more. Noise level observations seem to correspond with yours, too. When I first drove it it felt like engine has a misfire!

Hello Abaxas. That is my first time with such engine and I accept that it rattles bit more in low revs. Two of the Fabias I tested, however, had same 1.4TDI 3-pot engine in them (different power variants: 90/105). The more powerful SE L felt significantly quieter inside. The engine bay seems a bit more wrapped up in that version. It even has under engine tray. I do not see this as fault, just passing my observations.

Thanks for your reply, AwaoffSki. We are talking single figures, around or below 5 deg C outdoors. I usually leave car idling for a minute or 3 before setting off for journeys. I observe temperature climbing from pretty much 5 mins onwards and within 15-20 mins (tops) indicator needle is vertical at 90 deg C. That does not seem to be related to driving or revving. I once left car idling for 15-20 mins whilst shifting things in the garage and I heard radiator fan starting after that time. I have driven few diesels before and they took good 15 mins to even start warming up. It may not be a problem, just different to what I had before. From what you are saying I take this may be normal on Fabia 1.4TDI. Best, Maciek

Hello Guys, I am new to the forum, as I just purchased 2015 Fabia Estate SE L 1.4 TDI (105PS/77kW CUTA) manual. Great car, so far, and very functional. I really enjoy it. As usual, when you start driving cars, you soon discover different noises or oddities coming up here and there, to which you were somehow 'immune' when test driving the car during the purchase. They may not necessarily mean that there is an issue as different models do have different quirks which may just require getting used to. That Is why I would like to ask other owners of similar models if they recognise any of below. For example, I have noticed that engine gets warm quicker then other diesels I had owed. It seems that 5-10 mins is enough for the needle to start climbing and I usually see 90 deg in about 20 mins or so. Fan often kicks in at this stage and temperature seem to be stable around 90 mark with no overheating. I must say that this is in cold weather and I am not pushing the car to its limits probably keeping revs in first one/third of the rev counter most of the time. I have heard about coolant pump issues and recall actions to replace these. From car's service record, it looks like coolant has been changed earlier this year, but there is no indication of pump being replaced. Should I be worried? What is your regular temp observed for Fabia 1.4 TDI? Another thing I picked on is a slight whining noise that changes pitch with speed when I switch to 3rd gear. It is still fairly quiet but reminds me of input shaft bearing issue on my old Suzuki. This is only audible in 3rd gear and no others for now. Car has done 19k miles and is still under warranty. It has been regularly serviced, from what I have seen and I will be checking this with the dealer soon. Anyone observing similar on their Fabia's TDI? Two next ones will be general observations. For instance I could not find Fabia SE L with rear electric windows or leather/part-leather seats when looking for mine. I looked into various variants with different mod cons and electronic assistants (even panoramic roof!) fitted, but somehow no electric windows and good old cranks on the read doors were everywhere in '15-16 models I have seen... I know you can order these when building your new Fabia via Skoda Website, but above does not seem to be popular option even on higher models. I do not think I have even seen leather seats even on Monte's. What is your experience? Last thing I noticed when test-driving two different engine variants of the same model: SE with 1.4 90PS engine and SE L with 1.4 105PS is that 1 year younger 90PS SE I drove was actually significantly louder. I am suspecting that this may be down to the sound proofing on SEL model. Has anyone observed the same? I look forward to hear your opinions and maybe you came up with other quirks which you may found odd when you first started driving your Fabia's. It would be interesting to hear from you. All the best Maciek

I am new to the forum and just acquired Skoda Fabia III '15 1.4 TDI week ago. Generally, I love the car and, so far, have not had any problems with it. However, during my first week of ownership I found few braw-raisers like: quite quick engine warm up and radiator fan kicking in 15-20 mins following cold start (no overheating observed so far) or slight whinning noise on 3 gear. I am hoping to pick on your experience here guys and share mine later. I already found few interesting threads here. Cheers!