Cakemonster

So, after doing some research, hopefully I've fixed the issue. VW/Skoda do a new arm and e-clips for around (£65 ish) from various eBay suppliers. It doesn't look like the clips are available separately. So I had a go at a DIY fix. I got some replacement e-clips from a fixings supplier to suit a 10mm OD rod (£5 for 10 Inc postage) and some nickel based anti seize (1300°C) £8 including postage First I removed the heat shield from the top of the turbo - 1 no. 10mm hex bolt and 3 M10 xzn/splined bolts to give me a bit of room. The OEM e-clip broke into 3 bits and was corroded onto the bar & pivot. I had to lever the actuator arm off with a combination of ever increasing flat head screwdrivers and hammering a old ½" extension bar against it and it eventually came off. (I did begin to panic halfway, when it was stuck, completely jamming the wastegate) I then cleaned both pivot and bar with 240g wet and dry, then wiped them with brake cleaner. Then applied the nickel anti seize to bar and pivot. I stuck a new e-clip to the pivot with the same anti seize to prevent it falling off and pushed it home with a screwdriver. Then wiped off the excess anti seize. Before After Sorry about the quality of the pictures, not much space to work in. Hopefully this'll help anyone else with the same issue.

Update; I've lubed and moved the linkage on Thursday and it's been fine since. I'm going to remove the linkage and give the pivots a good clean (if it ever stops raining...) Cheers @Alasdair1

I keep it on the battery minder at this time of year especially as it's the original battery. Luckily a mate is coming over tomorrow he can give me a hand - he doesn't know it yet

Help/info please guys; I've been to Oxford and back today, so 80 miles each way. On the return after about 5 miles I stopped for a sandwich in a layby, left the engine running for 5 minutes and rejoined the dual carriageway, bit of right hoof, but not excessive, certainly didn't trouble the red line. Noticed the yellow EPC light was on, pulled into services checked handbook - can continue at reduced power. There was no reduction in power, it drove normally. Then there was "Error stop start system" it was switched off anyway And "Error ACC" speed limiter still worked though Got home and got the following faults from OBDeleven P2B9300 - Wastegate Position Sensor "A" Exceeded Learning Limit static Date: 2026-02-18 13:45:51 Mileage: 50777 km U112300 - Databus error value received Intermittent Date: 2026-02-18 13:45:52 Mileage: 50777 km I started the car after the scan and no warnings/lights etc all looked fine. I've cleared the codes and put the car on the battery tender. Is it "just one of those things"? Or should I expect it to go boom. I've had the car from new and this is the first time anything like this has happened. Cheers

I've got the same engine, but manual 'box and 29k miles, 68 reg. Owned by me from new. I won't be getting the belt done - VW UK changing the belt replacement interval to be inline with the rest of the world was a relief. I think there's too much to go wrong with changing it even at (or especially at!) a Skoda main dealer. I get everything else done at my trusted independent garage. As more 1.5 TSi ACT get to the 5 year+ mark or higher mileages I'm sure we'll see disaster stories on here or other outlets if they happen. One caveat, it's your car, your choice 😉

I've been having connection issues lately with the same dongle as @nickytheshaft which used to work faultlessly. I'd checked for updates etc and connection was still flakey. Then I noticed "modes" on my phone (Sony Xperia on Android 16) which I hadn't noticed before a couple of updates ago (it's renamed my former Do Not Disturb settings as Sleeping which is how I found it) anyway in Modes there's a setting called Driving which recognises it's connected to a car's Bluetooth and "priorities safety on the road" I've turned it off and the phone now connects flawlessly again

Try a Westfalia distributor (I'm pretty sure Westfalia make VW OEM towbars) or it may be a case of a replacement swan neck

The 2.0l tsi 4x4 does exist

There was a 2.0l 4x4 it came out towards the end of the MK3 model run. If I'd waited 6 months I would've had one 2.0TSI 190 SE L 4x4 Has Arrived.... - Skoda Octavia Mk3 (2013 - 2020)

Good work! How? There's a 4 year old somewhere thinking "must try harder next time..." 😁

It's a fair chunk of trim... I'd have a go with a magnet first. I guess Santa won't be visiting someone this year...😜

Try a magnet on a telescopic rod whilst gently pulling the belt? Failing that, you'll have to remove the side trim... How did get down there? I've checked mine, it would take some doing/bad luck.

There's a few available on AliExpress - cheaper than Amazon. Have a look at this thread (there are others)

Can anyone recommend a cleaner/restorer for the alcantara centres on my SELs seats? They're not particularly dirty but the fibres/pile needs "fluffing up" it looks like my fat ar$e has flattened it. Ta

If memory serves it's a pull up inline/along the door opening. Be aware of the curtain airbags behind the trim 😉 Good luck