Vijay2018

And I had a Gates kit fitted about 5 years ago which AI says used a plastic impeller as per OEM. Before seeing a lot saying about the plastic v metal impeller, I'd wondered if my water pump was working properly. I tried seeing what water was coming back through that expansion pipe a few weeks back. I looked at idle and at 2k revs. I'm not sure how much water should have been flowing but it certainly didn't look that much of a flow to me and made me wonder if my water pump was working as it should. MY HG or head definitely has an issue as it's failed a gf sniffer test and it's bubbles galore in the expansion tank. It also gets to 100C on idle with the thermostat out

Good idea with a compression test, never know what it might help with later if anyone asks. Will have to get a locking set. Watching videos to get my head around everything and what's needed. Already got a square spline set

timing belt change: write up https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php?threads/timing-belt-marks-wandering.413904/ another https://pmmonline.co.uk/technical/how-to-install-a-skoda-octavia-timing-belt/ Handy video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coS1uZFRPwc

Hello bud, I'm definitely leaning on removing the cylinder head and going from there. I'm looking to see if I can find a write up on the timing belt and cylinder head first

Have to be honest, I'm leaning towards refurbing the engine but no real idea what's involved. Done 2 cylinders heads in my time and no further engine work. Always done normal servicing and tackle most jobs, but out of ten how bad would it be? Would any timing have to be locked into place when you remove the head and pistons? I assume not as everything has to be removed?? How difficult is it to time everything back up with a new belt kit?

Hey guys, Sadly it's looking like my Octavia days which have been pretty brilliant could be at an end, unless I can find a replacement engine. Looking like a blown head gasket/cracked/warped head so it's not driveable now and boiling away (95C+ even without the thermostat in). It's also had a burning engine oil issue for years. It's a 110 ASV engine. So my options are: Say goodbye to my brilliant Octavia ☹️ Try and find a replacement engine, throw it in and hope. Downsides are obviously they are bound to be old engines with high mileage Pull the head off my car and get the head checked and possibly skimmed. Attempt a rebuild to sort out the oil burning. My mate is pretty handy around VW engines and very knowledgeable but doesn't live local. He knows a place to do any machining who also is a VW head so that helps too. I spoke to the machine guy who said the rebuild is the only real option if I want a reliable engine. I've worked on my own cars for years and have tools. What I don't have is a workshop or experience/knowledge of engine work. What would you do? Cheers Vijay

I did many times and it cleaned things up before. I think without something to break down the oil, couldn't see how cold water from a hose would flush any oil out

I'm hoping I have a oil cooler issue again and not the HG. I wondered if it was ok to bypass the water side of the oil cooler for a short while and see if I'm still getting oil in the coolant? What damage/negative effects would I have if the coollant side of the oil cooler was bypassed? Cheers Vijay

cheers mate, I was being proper thick lol

can't believe I didn't realize it was the foglight

What is the outer bulb for? I have a low sidelight bulb and halogen in one unit (inner), then the xenon d2s bulb in the middle but there is the outer bulb unit that does nothing. Any idea?

Thanks bud but I'd need a non PD engine as I run bio Mate, I really would be single if I brought that home lol

changed that before and made no difference at all. I tried the "elephant mod" into a clear bottle and got next to no oil into the bottle

It's always used that much since I bought the car 5 odd years ago. The oil in the coolant has been the last 6 months or so. Turbo has been changed twice since I've owned the car. I'll check the intercooler as I added a drain screw into it so pretty easy to do

I did look at getting the kit to do it before but something put me off. I'll look at it again...

Sorry mate, I actually got that wrong, it's more like 3l of oil every 1k!!!! 😲 so yeah you're right, soon adds up. I do get some but I'd imagine I should have seen loads of blue smoke using that much oil

I did a compression test a few months back and got the following 460, 380, 390 and 400

Cheers Mike. That gives me some sort of rough idea pricing. Given the chance I'd be up for buying a donor car but my Mrs would strangle me or I'd at least be single. She's a gooden so no way can I get a donor car lol

Yeah I thought it probably would be. Any idea what you'd imagine it'd cost for a head gasket/rebuild or engine swap? I'd be happy to give it a go but the problem is my tools are in storage and I only have a drive to work on. Then having the car off the road would leave me pretty stranded :( Second hand engine is definitely an option but as you say, could be straight into another problem engine

Looking very much like my engine is giving up the ghost and at 253k odd on the clock, it's done well. It's a 1.9 ASV It's been using engine oil for a while (probably a litre every 1k) and now got engine oil in the coolant. I've changed the oil cooler but there still seems to be oil in there. Also losing coolant out of the expansion tank on a regular basis. The car still drives amazingly well even for a 20 odd year old car. So the big question is do I get rid or do I try and get the engine rebuilt? Anyone have any idea of costs involved and anyone who still does this type of work?

Thanks Dean, Apart from the MOT situation, what was your view on LED in a xenon headlamp unit?

Morning Dean, Thanks for the info. What's the issue with led and mot's?

Hi all, Just wondered if there's anything I can do with my dipped headlights which just never seem to be bright enough (main beam is fine). My lights always seem to feel drowned out by oncoming cars and I need some lights to get through country lanes safely. Are there LED bulbs that can be used? Vehicle is a 2004 L&K estate with standard xenons Cheers Vijay

just to update, the 10 tooth starter motor has been working perfectly

I don't know anyone in any vag dealers, in fact any garages lol An extension bit would be grand. I did search before but found nothing for diesel testers. According to AI that one is just for petrol engines