herbie

I don't think you have a problem - or if you have, I do too! I also think that outside temperature does make a difference. On my 1.8 TSI [petrol turbo] the temperature is around 100-103 C at 70 mph with an outside temperature of 20 C. During the winter it was 93 ish with an outside temp. of zero. I can remember in the very old days there was a theory that oil had to go above a 100 to boil off any water - I guess modern oils have completely changed this. One thing that does surprise me is how long it can take for the oil to get up to temperature in the winter. The water temp hits mid range [90?] within 2 - 3 miles. Oil can take 20 miles. I think the new VAG engine, according to some write-ups, has improved this.

I've just changed the gearknob on a standard six speed manual box, 2011 vintage. The knob came from 'Moving Parts', Norfolk. £6 including P&P. No instructions, but its all pretty obvious. Its a nicely engineered job and really looks the part. I cut ~5.5 cm from the original gearstick and since the stick goes further into the new knob as compared with the Skoda knob I think the effect is to make the whole thing ~6 /7 cm shorter. One point - when cutting the stick it appears to be a tube - but the bit that needs cutting is solid. 10 hectic minutes with a 6" junior hacksaw.

Ladies & Gents, Many thanks for this - its nice to know its not just my TSI that does this. I think its now down to getting a to know the balance between throttle and clutch when pulling off, and if that doesn't work, then a re-map. Cheers, Herbie

Has anybody got any experience of engine with a flat spot at about 1800 - 2200 rpm with a petrol turbo - its not misfiring, just not picking up cleanly. My Fabia vrs 1.9 diesel suffered from this at 2000 rpm and there was a Briskoda fix that involved drilling out an orifice plate that was part of the turbo air management plumbing. I know 1800 rpm sounds very low to expect a petrol engine to pull, but the torque curve shows that it should be allright at this speed, and the flat spot isn't flooring it, just normal pulling away. Thanks, Herbie

Has anybody fitted an uprated oil pressure warning light sensor, ie one that will go on just before the engine is wrecked rather than just after? Fitted the pd160 air inlet pipe, makes the VRS feel freer. Fuel consumption better: will pay for itself in only 27,000 miles! Likewise cut down the gearstick: cut 0.3 seconds from the weekly 2 1/2 trip to north Wales, but great fun and looks the part! Herbie