Thedempsey

Anyone got a 3.6 that can recommend a garage who knows these engines in and around the Leeds/Harrogate/bradford area? Cheers

I find normal rapid to 40 mph so not sure why yours would be different, great low down torque on this engine and mine snaps through gears without going near the red line. I'm starting to think my previous owner may have mapped it as it feels significantly faster from a stand still than my old Mk5 R32.

Yes it does, but once you have pressed it in and moved the lever down you can let go, it's just to allow a release... Will try some more force this weekend - I was trying not to snap/break anything but I dare not use it now in the unlocked position so either way it needs to come out!

The lever moves down about 1-2cm like its about to release but from there you can see the metal bar that locks into the neck, and this is solid, does not move...

I could try that this weekend but I can see the locking bar that is still connected to the neck..so I don't see how banging it will release it. I'll give it a go. Small update, I found a towbar specialist near me who had a master set of westfalia keys, he took one look at it and said it isn't a westfalia...tried the keys and completely different. So there you go. He had no idea how to get a code other than through Skoda, which I already know doesn't work. Looks like it's going to have to be drilled out if banging doesn't work, then find a new neck with a key!

Update, took it to a locksmith and had 2 guys go at it for an hour, they picked it within 5 mins so the key hole moved 360 degrees - but the bar that is locking the mechanism doesn't budge, they couldn't find the biting point and we all gave in. £20 for the attempt. I'm almost thinking about getting the thing drilled out and binning it, then looking for a new towbar end with a key and clicking that back in....

I'm fine with it being unlocked to be fair, as long as I can get it on and off functionally. I just didn't know if the key had to be in the lock for it to work - the only video I saw he kept it in but that could have been for many reasons I guess. Nobby, sorry to be a pain but could you tell me if the key indentation is on the bottom or the top when the key is in the unlocked position pls? I had best check before I go at it and discover it was already unlocked.... I assume a basic locksmith would have it open rather than me attack it with a hammer, as much fun as it sounds.

Hey Wile, Great thank you! Will take a look through your old threads, a pully may make sense - along with maybe something else, and hopefully not too expensive like you say. I knew buying a car with 170,000 miles on the clock would present some stuff that needed sorting, but not having to worry about turbo's/a stressed engine is nice - and I came from an old Alfa Romeo V6 Busso so anything is more reliable than that. Will keep you posted, it's going in for a new clutch pump on the haldex and I've asked them to have a snoop around the noises. Fingers crossed. Demps

Apparently not - I would guess they don't for security reasons, I don't even know if it is tied to model/year etc, or if they are all assigned randomly. When I asked at my main dealer they didn't have a clue what brand tow-bar it was let alone the code for the key.

I tried whacking it but no luck, it definately seems locked. Nobby, if you don't mind would you be able to share your code with me pls if I DM you? For the sake of a £4 key I may as well give it a go... Thanks! Demps

Hi all, I've had my 3.6 for about 2 weeks and it's been in for a major service with a Skoda main dealer as I got a good deal - and nothing popped up, but, my gut feel is something isn't quite right. From standstill if I rev the engine I get a rather loud puff of air that sounds like it's escaping from something, I can also hear a whine that is in line with revs on the move - if I had an after market air filter (or a supercharger) then i may be thinking that...but it's just, odd. Secondary problem is a whirring noise linked to speed and not revs, and I'd say it was a wheel bearing but it's not quite loud enough or course enough - I don't think, but again very annoying. The engine on the whole is very refined and calming, but mine seems to get quite noisy when revving and not in the usual way I expect an engine to be noisy. I had a Mk5 r32 when I was younger so I'm familiar with the unique noises from the block, and something doesn't sit right with me. Car feels strong and pulls fine, no lumpy bits and idles good. I do need a new clutch pump for the haldex so it's only FW right now, so assumed it could be that or the diff, but the sound comes from the front of the car. Here is a video clip of the car revving stationary, on the move it's too quiet from inside the cabin. Front end of clip you can hear the air noise, at the back end of the clip you can hear the high pitched whine sound, phone struggles to pick it up. See here Cheers all, Demps

Hi mate, Congrats on your purchase, I've had all sorts of autos (CVTs/dual clutches) and find them generally very good for the vast majority of driving, the DSG I have found to be excellent although only ever used in big petrol engines without turbos (mk5 Golf R32 and Skoda Superb 3.6) - but assume the newer ones are even better! I doubt you will ever go back to a manual unless its for a "fun car", they are that good. Enjoy! Demps

I've tried pushing down but no luck, I dare not put all my strength into it for fear of it snapping...but I can do if anyone can confirm that won't happen!

it is clear and shiny, no signs of anything ever being on there unfortunately. There are some numbers on the actual neck of the bar, but mean nothing to me and assume they won't correspond with the barrel anyway. On the definately not stupid question of is it even locked...I don't know! I've tried to move things around any which way possible and not had any luck so assume locked...although I don't know what it would do if it was unlocked so, I'd like to find out! Cheers for your help on this by the way

It looks to be the same one on this 2014 Octavia... https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.parkers.co.uk/amp/skoda/octavia/vrs-2013/long-term-reviews/skoda-octavia-20tdi-cr-vrs-estate-5d---tickin-that-towing-box/