ctm

So after a leak test, it is indeed the evaporator. Mechanic says that taking apart the interior dash to access it, plus new unit, would be a two day job at around £450. Does that sound reasonable? I think it probably does?

Ill try and get the failure mode from the mech today.

Thanks for reply. 'Not holding charge' was told to me by Kwikfit after dropping it in for an ordinary recharge with them. They didnt specify, which is why I have it in with another mechanic presently. Its he that says the controller unit is at fault. The vents work great when normal heating is engaged. No problem there. Its just no cooling operation is possible currently. A bit of chatGPT seems to suggest the module J255, which is part of the driver facing A/C control display apparently. Have you ever encountered failures with that that would nix the actual cooling operation of the system? V grateful.

Just upping this with a Q. My aircon isnt holding recharge. Dropped it in, the local mechanic said it wasnt anything to do with the lines, compressor, evap etc - the problem was with the AC 'operator' which he says is localed beneath the main dashboard. He said taking off the main car dashboard is a huge job and not to be recommended in order to fix this... he said live with it (ie no aircon). Im just sense checking this on here: what is the A/C 'operator', is it indeed under the dash, and does anyone have experience in trying to fix a broken one? Edit - Octavia 1.5TSI petrol 2019.

I have a similar question that hopefully may be related. Just changed the cabin air filter. With A/C set to OFF, blowing regular cold air, the smell of that air is what I would call very 'chalky' - I dont know if this is exactly similar to the OP's 'ash' smell, as its not something I would relate to buning as such, but yes, the smell of a bare ash try does come to mind. It catches the back of the throat. Any more clues would be much appreciated.

Thanks guys - thanks for the shout on the rear stopping blocks on the back hatch. Those blocks appear fixed in with a torx screw and I dont see any scope for movement up or down - that does indeed look like it would help lower the height of the closed hatch. If I loosen that screw, will the stopper be movable, or is it just fixed? Here's the difference in closed hatch height relative to the rest of the chassis. As I say, it does close properly, its just looks. If that stopper could be lowered it would probably do it. Secondly, the wing join I was referring to. The metal looks actually bent outward - can this be bashed back in? And thirdly - the amount of gap in the closed bonnet. Like the boot, it shuts ok... but I dont think it should be this far back, or that I should be able to get my palm in... V grateful for opinions.

HI guys - total newbie not just to the forums but to automotive - go easy. Bought a CAT N octavia mk 3 1.5 2018 - no service history (Im on a budget and have taken my chances). Its passed its safety inspection and drives a dream, but has very obviously had a front and back knock with a rather poor body repair. I've looked on these forums for out of line or uneven panels, which this one definitely has. Principally the boot, which closes properly, but which rises slightly above the rest of the panelling on the left side. Right side is fine. The bonnet is sitting slightly back - ie closer to the window - than where it should. It closes and locks fine, but I can get my palm under its very front, which I dont think should be possible. And again, where the wing intersects with the bonnet and window - that small lower corner of the windscreen where the three panels meet - the wing panel, just at that join, sits annoyingly proud of the others (can post pic later). Is that something that a panel basher can correct, without taking the panel off the car? A v informal chat w the guys at the body shop suggested that fixing these risked opening a much larger can of worms, if they begin taking panels off then have to right more. So my question to you guys is the extent to which it *matters* other than aesthetically. Do these out of line panels impact other aspects of the car particularly over time? Or is it a case of just living with the niggling looks, given that a body repair to such comparitive small things could end up being very expensive? Grateful for thoughts,. c