Raizorpoke

Thank you for this tip I will certainly give this a go.

Its not good still, I guess. I probably just have to pray that it was used for something that won't cost the car again to fix so soon! The garage doesn't seem to think I have a head gasket issue and with the block tests my resivoir overflow issue isn't being caused by engine gases (yet). I'm just hoping there's something up with the matrix with the lack of flow etc and someone has tried to fix it with something like you mentioned. Think its the best I can hope for. I'm still trying to work out the coolant level issue, I'm hoping a flush does something.

Interesting. I did also have some receipts with the car stating the water pump was done in July last year. I read somewhere that a failing water pump would also cause metal in the expansion tank but I'm not familiar with what type. By the sounds of it I just have to pray it was used for something to try and cure the heater problem... At least there's some hope. I have budgeted a but for repairs given the situation with the car and it's price but I'd like to think I won't have to blow the whole lot within a week of ownership on just one issue 😂😅 Can only happen to me!

Would k seal or similar be used for any other issues other than a head gasket problem? Does it function to seal off anything else? In a sense in still not out of the woods then which isn't good. I can't imagine a chemical compound will be much of a fix if it is a head gasket problem.

Yes, rad weld was one of the culprits mentioned it seems to be the foam itself that creates the pressure and flows over. The fact that one heater matrix pipe is a lot warmer raised my eyebrows as well. I'll try and get the car booked in for a service and then a flush and pray...

I'll have to take a closer look at it , as you've pointed out it doesn't look good anyway. The plot thickens, the garage took a look at the car, they didn't put it up on the lift due to time but he checked out the resivoir test drove it and experienced the foam first hand. Unless he is giving me a false sense of hope he says he is 95% sure it's not head gasket related , I assume a mechanic would have easily twigged a HGF otherwise so that's giving me some hope. He is suggesting it's something related to an attempt to flush it with a product or even dish soap... The plot thickens. I've ordered a new cap so ill check that. I think I also need to more closely inspect the resivoir itself.

Yeah I have done a couple of runs where the fans were running when I got back but stopped within about 15 seconds of switching the car off so I dont think I've pushed it hard enough for a long overrun yet. I've been so petrified of HGF and the coolant hat I am reluctant to do the 2hr 100 mile drive to Cardiff. I've read about the cap, I thought I've my resivoir looked old and stressed that the cap may be as well. I have ordered a new one just in case there is a rare chance this isn't a catastrophic issue. I do suspect that the resivoir is the original, it's certainly very old looking and has a distinct area of stressing on the left you may be able to just make it out on the other images.

Thank you so muchfor these points to look at, I even doubt if the tests are accurate and I'm just hoping it isn't worst case. Another point I noticed. Which I assume could be related is where the two pipes go into the heater matrix one is significantly hotter than the other, a night and day difference. Also, is the coolant based intercooler around the radiator or the radiator at the front? Sorry, as you can probably tell I'm not the most clued up on cars , a recipie for disaster when buying used cars apparently , who would have guessed 😂

Oh sorry if I have put it in the wrong spot I'm relatively new! 2012 2.0L TDI VRS 109k miles

This is the kind of thing I'm dealing with , it remains over pressure even over night on a cold engine but I keep testing with the block testers and I'm yet to get a positive result. There is some stressing on the resivoir and a lot of the markings are rubbed off as well.

I wanted to add as well. The for a brief period while I was doing the block test (2 to 3x longer than recommended, I was doing it for a good 15 min at temperature with no colour change) As I revved the car the windscreen blower would actually blow hot again, as it did on my test drive, then suddenly, back to cold.

I am just crossing my fingers its related to the heater matrix being blocked or something as simple as a dodgy reservoir or cap itself. I.e something less than a grand to rectify!

To anyone looking at literally my last post, the timing of this one is comedic. I took a punt on a car I knew needed some work. Including an issue with the heater not blowing hot. I took this on assuming at worst there would be an issue with the heater matrix or a leak etc. But I am now worried I am looking at a head gasket failure or crack .... I just wanted to see if there is any likelihood of this being something else. To break it down: No overheating (done a few 40 min drives to test 22 mile) with some high rev driving. Maintains a solid 90 degrees. No white smoke. No gunk under filler cap. No oil in coolant (or not obvious). No power loss. However; It all started when a colleague noticed a pool of coolant under my car, the reservoir after a long drive had foamed up and leaked it clearly had built up pressure during the drive and was pouring from the bypass tube and some of the lid even. I am a novice at cars to say the least, I stupidly let the car cool, it was still hot about 2.5 hours later, but I let some of the air and it foamed like hell. I had some drained out in the garage but when I got back, by the time I got home the level in the reservoir was very low. Like, below minimum. I topped it up a bit, and ran it with the cap off. It bubbles, over time the bubbles go away but its made worse when I rev the engine. Scared that this was compression gasses entering the coolant (Head gasket failure) I ordered a block test, which claims to have a 99.9% accuracy at detecting this. I have tested twice, for far longer than recommended and the test does not change, suggesting that there are no engine based contaminants in my coolant. Heater won't blow hot. But it warms up a bit when revved, this is most noticeable with the front de-mister blower. The main cabin blowers aren't as effected. The heater matrix pipes has one pipe significantly hotter/warmer to the touch than the other. In essence, is there anything else that could be causing the bubbling of the coolant and foaming issues. I only "lose" coolant when it bubbles over, I find when I fill the coolant, after a drive it expands exponentially. So I am finding it hard to find the right level or if I need to fill it a bit lower to counteract the effect. I am using the correct coolant. If it wasn't for the negative block tests I wouldn't be so in denial.

Pending some unsavory news, im making a post about it now as it happens, it might not be a massive issue as im not confirmed yet but I could be having some issues with a head gasket... ill share details shortly!

I am paying the price already, after two days of ownership 😂

Thanks! Fingers crossed it is, I know the facelift version isn't everyone's cup of tea but I think they look quite smart.

Being the owner of a low mileage Skoda Fabia Elegance 1.2HTP (2011) for the last two years, I wanted to get something with a little more punch. I loved the Fabia and its looks, I purely wanted something to handle long motorway journeys. I have committed to purchasing (upon a fresh mot) a 2012 Facelift Diesel VRS Octavia (MK2). The silly part? Limited service history. There are sporadic receipts of a few services, MOT's and a cam belt, water pump change and Turbo work dated last year. I took her for a test drive, no issues with the clutch, pulled fine - no gunk under the oil cap and in overall good condition (no rust spots or obvious leaks). It was priced a bit lower than normal to account for the service history not being on point plus a few of the known electrical faults that need addressing. The MOT history is pretty good, not having seen a single fail in its life so far. Are there any owners that can give me some advice on the car, how its treated you, any weak points I should address or be aware of, I kind of want to know now if i'm likely in for some shocks. The known issues with the car were electrical; window actuators at the front need replacing, rear wiper inst working and the heater doesn't blow hot temperatures. Could this car be a good deal or have I likely chanced it on a money pit? I got it for £2300 and I have budgeted £1000 for emergency issues. Edit: PIC For Ref

Really sorry everyone, you did me the decency of responding and took me coming up on a month to respond! It was recently rather cold out at the time, I tried and tried, called home start recovery and as I was about to re-position the car in the drive everything came back to life. I am not sure what this could have been and if I need to watch out for it again. I am not sure what it would suggest but touch wood it hasn't happened again. I wanted to add, im not sure if its possible but I had a USB Phone charger in my cigarette lighter permanently plugged in as well - it shows an LED, maybe this could have done something with the battery?? Thanks again everyone for the tips though I will add it to the repitore of things to check if it does happen again!!

Hi All, The forum has been an incredibly helpful resource for me so far - I was hoping to see if this issue is likely a big problem or something smaller! Essentially, I have just gone to set off today, radio on everything good. Until I quickly noticed during my journey my indicators were not working. I got back home quickly and found a list of electricals that are not working, these are: Indicator/Hazards Interior Cabin Lights Wipers Windows Break Lights Heating/AC System - no power to screen at all Working: Reverse light Headlight/Main beam Radio I have tried looking at the smaller fuses and they seem fine. I am not sure what this is likely to be or if anyone has had a simmilar issue. All was working fine last night on the drive back from work. It has all come on since turning the car over and driving this morning. Any help appreciated! Thanks George

Does anyone know if MKII has the same location ?

Thank you for the help so far, assuming it's a wire or similar would it be a garage job or is it a fix one can do at home ? If it's located under a wing I'm assuming it's a garage job. I'll put some concentrate in tonight, the weird thing is during the freeze we had it worked OK, it's since warmed up and the issue has started !

Hi all, I'm a first time car owner with a 2011 Fabia Elegance. Since two days ago my windscreen washer pumps haven't been sounding and no screenwash is passing through. The wipers operate after as if the pumps work, I tried checking the fuse (I believe fuse 40?) But looks fine. I was wondering what the potential causes could be or if I missed anything. I bought the car a few weeks ago with 16.5k miles on the clock. AA and HPI checked in October. Sorry in advance for my ignorance , car ownership is very new to me and I'm not the most savvy at the moment! Thank you all!