rich_hodgetts

I have just had this job done on my 2016 VRS EA888 Gen 3, 50k miles. I had been topping up coolant for well over a year, putting off the expense of the job. In the end, it was getting through half a litre a week and so time to get it done. I also had an engine warning light P2681 - Engine Coolant Bypass Valve Control circuit open. Each time I reset this, it would be back on within 30 mins of driving and so was unlikely to get through its next MOT. I got my usual non-specialist, independent garage to do this job (as others have said, I have done a bit of DIY work on cars but this job is a not a simple one). I was quoted £660 fitted including VAT which is less than I was expecting (South Birmingham area). They did the job without hassle and the issue is fixed. I am not sure if an original or pattern part was fitted - it was Schaeffler branded. I asked for the old part back so I could autopsy. There is a circuit board controlling a motorized valve, this board is not potted and so should be dry - it wasn't and had obvious corrosion. This appears to have been the cause of the P2681 error. The water pump impeller was plastic and there was evidence of cracks forming around the shaft and so that's another potential issue sorted. If anyone would like details of the garage I used for this job, please feel free to send a PM. Rich

Took my car for an oil change at Kwikfit (I know) and the techie doing the job took the gearbox drain plug out rather than the engine oil drain - I guess he was confused by the plastic sump on the EA888. They sorted this out and replaced the gearbox oil but to get the gearbox fill point, the battery has to come out. Shortly after picking the car up I noticed that the auto open/close feature of the electric windows no longer works. I have had this before in other cars and the fix was simply the open each window fully and then close fully. I have tried this and it has not fixed the issue. Does anybody know if there is a simple fix for this before I go through the hassle of taking the car back to them? Thanks, Rich

Thanks for all the replies. It's well out of warranty and with the leak as slow as it is, I would not be that keen for anyone to start taking apart stuff that is not causing problems to get to the water pump anyway. I will live with it for the time being - after all, that new hybrid vRS looks really nice...

My VRS 220 is using coolant. Not much, reservoir needs a top up every couple of months. This seems unusual and has not been an issue on other cars I have owned. Their is no evidence of oil water emulsion on the inside oil filler cap and the car runs perfectly. I can't see any evidence of leaks anywhere. Car is a standard MY2016 with 27k miles, do I need to worry? Cheers, Rich

StealthRS245 - I was using Torque Pro to monitor the inlet manifold pressure - as you say, boost is manifold minus static pressure (14psi typically). I think what I said was misleading - the max boost pressure would have been about 14psi. If the data read by Torque Pro was accurate, the inlet manifold pressure was definitely maxing out at a lower value in lower gears. I think these engines have a turbocharger with an electronically controlled wastegate (IHI IS20 turbocharger?) and so differing max pressures in different gears is not implausible.

Thanks for all the info, sounds like I will be driving home with the hatch roped down. I think I had probably better avoid the motorway!

85cm high, 60x60cm base. I am not worried about the weight - not much mass in a dryer! Thanks

Hi All, Can anyone confirm that a standard size tumble dryer/ washing machine with fit in the boot of a MK3 Octavia hatch without folding the rear seats down? Am I hoping for too much? Cheers, Rich

Being a bit geeky on the way home from work today I was monitoring the inlet manifold pressure via the OBDII port and a smartphone (mounted in a holder of course!). Interestingly (maybe) it seems that the maximum boost pressure varies according to gear: Numbers are approximate: 1st - 19 PSI 2nd and 3rd - 23 PSI 4th+ - 28 PSI Does anyone know if this is normal? I assume this has been done to limit power and torque in the lower gears to reduce wheelspin? Rich

It has silver exhaust tips. Think it must be a vRS 220 with the Black Pack+. Thanks all.

I have recently become the owner of a used petrol vRS and I am struggling to work out exactly which version I have got. The Skoda dealer I got the car from knew less about it than I did (no salesperson, its not 4 wheel drive). The car is petrol, 220bhp, first reg in Apr 16, has single piece headlights, an Amundsen headunit with Android Auto/Carplay, 19 inch wheels and a gloss black grille and mirror covers. From what I can tell this is a mix of the pre and post facelift features. Can anyone shed any light? On another note, I have now owned all three Mks of the petrol vRS. They definitely get better and better. Thanks, Rich

I have just returned to the vRS fold with a 2017 TSi Hatch in white with the 'black pack'. Previously had a 2002 Mk1 TSi vRS and a 2006 Mk2 TSi vRS. All three are a lot more fun than the Volvo estate that filled the gap between Mk2 and 3 vRS' Rich

Hi Folks, I know there are a million threads on this subject but I can't find quite the information I am looking for. My 2006 Octavia vRS is fitted with the standard STREAM headunit (the non Mp3 version). I have read a bit of information here and there that there are two (non Mp3) versions of this headunit, one with the STREAM logo in the centre of the unit, one with the STREAM logo to the right of the unit. I have also heard a rumor that the unit with STREAM on the right hand side (like mine) will accept a simple aux in without messing with the CD changer. In the menu's of my stereo there is an option to turn AUX on and off but I cannot select it with the CD button. I have had the unit out of the car and under the blue plug at the back of the stereo there appear to be pins in all locations on the back of the stereo. Can anyone confirm that there is an aux in available on these stereos that will simply require the connection of the left and right audio channels and a ground to enable an external device to play through the unit? I hope I have explained this clearly! Thanks Rich

Hi Folks, I know there are a million threads on this subject but I can't find quite the information I am looking for. My 2006 Octavia vRS is fitted with the standard STREAM headunit (the non Mp3 version). I have read a bit of information here and there that there are two (non Mp3) versions of this headunit, one with the STREAM logo in the centre of the unit, one with the STREAM logo to the right of the unit. I have also heard a rumor that the unit with STREAM on the right hand side (like mine) will accept a simple aux in without messing with the CD changer. In the menu's of my stereo there is an option to turn AUX on and off but I cannot select it with the CD button. I have had the unit out of the car and under the blue plug at the back of the stereo there appear to be pins in all locations on the back of the stereo. Can anyone confirm that there is an aux in available on these stereos that will simply require the connection of the left and right audio channels and a ground to enable an external device to play through the unit. I hope I have explained this clearly! Thanks Rich

Link: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Skoda-MK2-Octavia-Superb-Yeti-Cruise-Control-/370452525070 This eBay seller has a link to cruise fitting instructions for various vag cars. Seller is nothing to do with me so not endorsed in any way. Rich