SwallownAmazon

My BMW had one in the tool kit but it was next to useless because the bit that fits in the threaded hub is plastic and snapped the first time it was used (18" x 9" wheels and a very heavy tyre). Now replaced with a stainless steel one from the bay.....

I've used KYB gas-filled dampers on a number of cars, they tend to be a little cheaper than Bilsteins. They are listed for the Mk3 Octavia, two alternatives depending on the diameter of the struts. Catalogue here: https://kyb-europe.com/catalogue/

There's also Eibach Springs: Eibach ShopEibach Sportline Lowering Springs (E20-15-021-05-22)Before purchasing please check the installation notes. Reference the numbers below with the table HERE Fitting notes A,18,170,237 Eibach Sportline Lowering Springs Pure Sport Suspension Springs and...I've assumed diesel engine.....

Yer tiz from the H & R website: https://www.h-r.com/en/article/?articlenr=23017-7&datasuppliernr=4311 There is also a fixed ride height front spring shown at -15mm but no fixed ride height rear spring.

My previous 2008 diesel hatchback (and my 2000 BMW 740 Sport) makes the same noise when manoeuvering. I put it down to pressure release valves in the hydraulics for the power steering but if the Skodas have electric power steering, don't know..... On both cars, the noise disappeared when releasing the steering a tad off the stops.

Don't trust vehicle compatibility on the Autodoc site - somewhat variable.... Many VAG cars use the CUNA engine and I woud think they're all built in the same plant for use all over the group.

I was looking for a part for my 2016 diesel vRS over the weekend and found this site: https://www.lllparts.co.uk/catalogs/skoda/CZ/OCT/753/1 I've had a quick look this morning for your part and failed because it says "Inspection of the old part is required before ordering replacement". Looks like there may be alternatives depending on what their suppliers could come up with at the time. Perhaps they were made in Ukraine and now difficult to get?

Hope it's a warranty job.....🤞 Good luck.

Can't hear anything untoward on that clip but if the car's been standing and the alternator belt is worn / a bit slack, that's where I would look. The load from the alternator charging a low battery is quite hefty.

My 2016 diesel vRS needs a new silver coloured insulation fabric around the DPF pressure difference sensors since it has been moved so many times it is falling apart. Can anyone help me with a part number as I can't find it on any of the ususal parts suppliers' web sites? Thanks.

Just to put this one to bed; I got the car back yesterday after a week at my VAG specialist garage. DPF was comletely b**g***d and was replaced with a new Walker unit from Autodoc. The EGR cooler was damaged when the turbo was changed by a previous owner so was replaced; the cooler support bracket was missing so it was only supported by the physical connections to the other components. Two mounting studs were broken and had to be replaced. The oil leak was traced to a missing gasket between the engine block and the turbo bearing oil supply pipe, no need for a new turbo thank goodness. That probably explains what I thought were exhaust fumes getting into the car when the aircon was on (oil leaking onto the exhaust manifold). The second EGT sensor also was replaced so both now new. Goes like a rocket now. Running it on VAG Spec 507 Castrol oil so I'll keep an eye on the consumption. Altogether I've spent nearly £3,000 on this car but it will probably see me out.......

I bought what from outside looked a good buy - 2016 vRS TDi manual (won't touch a DSG box because of several friends' bad experiences) it also seemed to drive well in a short test. I traded in my 2008 Octavia Elegance TDi and I seriously wish I hadn't. I have had two TDi's as company cars since 2002 and loved both of them! The second one was given to me when I retired; over 180,000 miles and still on the original clutch and exhaust. So far, I have spent more than £2,500 sorting out previous owners' misdemeanours which include: 2 x DPF pressure sensors at £96 each from garage, 2 x Exhaust gas sensors at £136 each from garage, 1 x New DPF can at £1250 from Autodoc 1 x EGR Cooler at £300 from garage, 1 x Driver door lock at £218 from garage, all the above plus fitting and VAT...... During the work to replace the above, the garage (VAG specialist I have known for 30 years+ not a main dealer!) discovered a damaged gasket between an oil pipe and the turbo, a couple of broken studs and a missing support bracket for the EGR cooler. This is presumably because the clown who changed the turbo in the Newcastle area is a first class bodger..... I seriously wish I had spent a bit more and bought a petrol vRS back in May......

Loads of them on eBay..... Bound to be a seller near you to collect from.....

There should be a list of warning lights in the handbook that came with the car, that should tell what that light signifies. If it's a diesel engined Scout it may indicate an issue with the DPF; best looked at by a VAG specialist garage.

Thanks for that, a bit of bedtime reading...😄

Do you know what the other type codes refer to at all? C.

The Ackerman angle is nothing to do with the steering system as you put it. It is the angle between the steering arm and the "straight ahead" position of the wheels. The Ackerman angle is calculated by measuring the angle of a line drawn between the vertical between the steering joints and the centre point of the rear axle. Ackerman angles apply irrespective of whether it is recirculating ball, cam & peg or rack and pinion mechanicals. See a better explanation here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ackermann_steering_geometry If you put spacers on the front wheel without any adjustment to the steering angles, you WILL get uneven tyre wear and perhaps some very odd handling characteristics. Fitting spacers will move the steering centre outwards with consequent tyre scrub when the wheels are off the straight ahead position. Believe me, I've been there....

Does anyone know the significance of the three type codes 5E3, NL3, NR3 that are often seen when searching car parts suplliers' web catalogues? Can't see any reference in the V5 registration doc that quotes VIN and engine numbers. Just curious.

Bit off the original topic but as always a bit of "topic drift"..... I've just had to consider the possibility of a new turbo for my diesel vRS; £1,854 from Skoda in a Skoda box, £1,040 In a Garrett box from the UK distributor - same part! P.S. Plus 1 for KYB dampers, use them on my BMW 740 Sport "hobby car". Listed for the Mk 111 Octy.

Wheel spacers won't alter the wheel alignment when set up in the straight ahead position, it's the Ackerman angle (named after the bloke who came up with the idea) that changes with spacers. The angle is carefully set up in the design phase of a vehicle to change the angle through which the front wheels turn to ensure that the different radii of the circles are compensated for. If the front wheels are spaced out, especially by as much as 20mm, that angle is upset and you will get uneven tyre wear. Simple geometry.

Good luck with them! They were fitted when I bought my vRS and taking them off was the first job I did. 20mm spacers will throw the Ackermann steering angle out and you'll end up with severe wear to the edges of your front tyres. P.S. Anyone want a set of spacers and longer bolts? 😄

I had this sproblem with my BMW 740 soon after I acquired it a few years ago. Coincidentally the car failed an MOT test because the colour temperature of the two xenon bulbs in the dip beam lights were different. Replacement bulbs enabled an MOT test pass but the O/S one continued to go out after a few minutes running. It was the voltage inverter at fault and an OEM Hella replacement was around £600 (I know, unbelievable but true!) at the time. Found a pattern part on the bay of evil for around £100 and it's still working to this day. Be prepared for a big bill..... P.S. You won't get better than Phillips bulbs.

Gentlemen, Thanks for your input, I'm tending to the blown turbo theory as well. It's being towed up tomorrow to my garage who have looked after a variety of our Audi, Skoda and SEAT cars since 1992 when they were able to fix a problem with my company owned Audi 90 that the main dealer couldn't. They have VCDS kit to identify problems and a good old-fashioned mechanic to fix things. I'll report back when I know a bit more. Thanks again.

Don't know the error code for the EGT sensor I'm afraid, it was cleared down by the garage last time it was in. My experience with two previous diesel Octavias, (2000 1.9 & 2008 2.0 Tdi) is that the engines are pretty bomb-proof so stuck rings as suggested by "varaderoguy" above are very unlikely I would have thought. Round here, the majority of taxis are Octys or Superbs, all diesel and my last TDi with the BKD engine did over 180,000 miles without missing a beat. As to the turbo, a damaged seal seems to be the most likely cause of the excessive oil consumption; there are no discernible leaks. A new Skoda boxed turbo is £1,854.00 whereas a new one from the Garrett distributor in UK is around half that, so they tell me. The DPF is to be "hydrocleaned" as a first job so I'll get them to check the EGR valve as well. That in itself wouldn't cause the excessive oil consumption I don't think; it may be dirty as a consequence of it. Thanks for your input.

I know little about turbo diesels having been brought up maintaining what are now classic cars, pre-war Morrises, Minis, Volvo Amazon, etc; is a blocked EGR valve likely to cause excessive oil consumption? I would doubt it but not sure....