Fatboy40

At some point in the future I'll have to replace my late model 1.9 TDI, however I very much like being able to use a Pela pump to extract the oil via the dipstick's hole and as the oil filter is on the front of the engine facing upwards it's easy to replace this as well, so the whole oil change can be done on the driveway with just the bonnet open. Looking at late model Mk3 2.0 TDI's it appears that the filter is now on the rear of the engine towards the bottom of it, so an oil change would involve the car being at height with the engine shield being removed. Does anyone here know any late model Mk3 engines that have a upwards facing oil filter, either at the front or side of the engine, that can be replaced with just the bonnet open? I commute 80 miles a day outside of big cities so I'd prefer a diesel, but a modern TSI that can match its performance and economy with the filter in such a position could be an alternative. Thanks.

I know, I'm being a bit naive, you're taking everything at trust. I get the feeling that there will be zero chance of this. The car smacks of an unwanted part-ex that went off to auction, maybe due to missing something like DSG service proof, however it looks in such good condition (in a photo you can see the boot cargo net still in an unopened bag, it looks pristine for its age) that I think I have to take a look at it just in case. Does anyone know if the oil filter for the DSG is in a place where I could easily see it to see any sort of date stamp on it?

I'm about to move onto my third used Octavia, if I can find the right one, and I'm seriously considering a DSG this time around. I've found a 2009 Octavia 2.0 TDI with a DSG, with 58k on the clock, so I've given the used dealer a call which really wasn't very positive. First he sounded like a right geezer, and when I asked about evidence for a timing belt change and DSG service he didn't confirm anything and just waffled on about what service stamps it has. I'm OK with timing belt change intervals (he said himself that there was no age limit for it, this is b.s. right?), however is there a specific box in the service book to be ticked when a DSG service is complete? (the dealer said there wasn't). Thanks.

Others opinions seem to imply that both the BXE and BLS engine codes can suffer with the conrod issue, the BKC does seem to be the one with greater reliability ?. So if summer 2015 I buy another used Octavia Elegance it looks like the newest I can get is early 2006 as post this it will be a BXE or a BLS ?.

I'll be sad to see my 07 Octavia Elegance go soon, a 1.9 PD TDI with a dreaded BXE engine that spat out a conrod, as actually it was a great family car. Perfect sized interior for my family, huge boot and quite a nice drive. I'm getting the train to work at the moment but I expect that somewhen during the summer I'll buy another used Octavia with a diesel engine. So considering that BXE's obviously have a design fault with all of the supporting evidence on the Internet, that the manufacturer will not acknowledge, if purchasing a Skoda with a registration date between 2006 and 2010 which diesel engine would others consider to be the most reliable especialy if expecting the car to hit 180/200,000 miles ?. Thanks.

Now decided to get rid of it, will advertise it on eBay and pay the £12 to get the 'freedom' membership here as well, I'm after someone to just take the whole car as it is to avoid hassle (obviously they'll need to tow it). For the value of the car I just can't see how I can get a recon engine installed economically, if I'm going to get it done I want it down well, the cheap options are all backstreet garages in iffy areas of London and more than likely cowboys :( (e.g. never see your car again, not get it back for months and months or bills magically get higher and higher).

The garage is a modest local independent VAG specialist, they didn't imply that they were doing anything out of the ordinary at the time, no reason to not trust them. I think I'm just lucky that I pulled over only a few moments after the whole car started to judder and got an AA tow home, rather than keep driving home to get home and have the conrod burst out on a busy dual carriage way ?. It just seems that I'm one of the very few unlucky people who's have this happen to them. To sort of put this into context I've just spent the day off work waiting for an under warranty boiler repair, on a five month old boiler that has a faulty pump, sometimes poo happens :(

Yep it's a BXE, I posted onto the 'conrod' thread in this forum, it should be a few threads below this one...

Thanks everyone for the advice, even though I get a funny feeling about them (potential cowboys ?) I just keep coming round to http://www.volkswagenspares.com/ / Volks Apart as one of the few options for me. I think I'm going to contact them to see what they say. I'm just so annoyed that this has happened to what has been a rock solid card that until this was in good condition. I suppose unless I get the engine replaced it's pretty worthless...

Same address as 'Volks Apart' who seem to have a pretty bad rep, unless others here have used them and can recommend them ?.

I'm in north west Hampshire, if there was somewhere within a reasonable distance who could pick it up and put in a recon for around £2k all in I'd be very happy (and hopefully run her for at least another 60k miles). A quick search on the Internet though just comes back with some pretty shady looking businesses with bad reviews :(

Not into breaking it as I just don't have the time, or skills, to do this :( If I've zero chance of getting a recon engine fitted for less than £2k then I'm interested in the best way for getting rid of the whole car in one go, if this would even be possible...

Of course the VAG specialist garage would rather make as much profit as possible, whilst retaining their good reputation, but they really did try and put the fear of God into me regarding bargain basement recon engines being fitted. I'm twitchy about spending £1.5k with a potentially dodgy business and ending up with a engine that's more trouble than it's worth (not a true recon, just spat on and polished).

Ah, I forgot to add that, yes it's a BXE and fixed servicing I think.

Hi, I'm after users opinions on the best way to get some money back on my car which now has a knackered engine, this is not strictly a 'for sale' post but Mods please let me know if this is not appropriate. Around two weeks ago the engine went on my 07 Octavia Elegance 1.9 TDi that has 102,000 on the clock, no 4 conrod burst out of the sump whilst at the garage, and I'm not going to repalce the engine as it's not commercially viable. Now until this point I'd looked after it, servicing + repairs etc, and I'm the sort of guy who lets the car sit for a minute before turning it off (coll down the turbo etc) hoping it will make the car last longer. Of course due to the conrod damage it's undriveable and will need to be towed if moved anywhere. Bottom line for me now is I need a new car, however there must be some value in my Skoda as it still is ? (alloys, turbo, interior etc), so I'm after some kind advice on what to do next ?. A scrap dealer may give me near zero but make a tidy sum off of the parts value, is the best bet to place it on eBay with a full honest description, buyer collects, and hope for the best ?. Thanks. p.s. I'm in north west Hampshire.