FirstTimeSkoda

Chains apparently stretch as well (just had the chain done on my daughter's Corsa). I believe it's rare for them to break, in comparison with a timing belt. looked in the service book but couldn't find anything on when it should be changed, although the figure of 40K miles is in my head for some reason!

Yep - mines has done this from new.

My third year of ownership will be completed in September. My plan is to book the first MOT for August in order to have any problems rectified under the remaining one month of the warranty. Has anyone done this and had work completed? My 2008 Roomster 3 has the 1.6 16V petrol engine - anyone know if this is a chain or belt driven camshaft? I'm guessing it's a chain, 'cos I can hear a faint ticking related to engine speed, once it's warmed up. Thanks.

How did you get the polystyrene panel off? I need to have a look at mine, too......

Were there any symptoms of the seal failure, prior to the AC system just not working? For example, and strange noises? Thanks.

What model year is your car? Mine is a 58-plate and has one small 'streak' on the rear screen that looks like a non-contact area with the sealant. Only noticed it a couple of months ago - I photographed it and am keeping a watch on it - will decide what to do before the warranty ends.

Hi, Plumber - interesting comment about the 'bead of rain'. I got this as well, on my 58-Roomster - dealer couldn't replicate the fault with a pressure washer but I later showed them the partially wet seal that indicated rain ingress. Although they eventually said they could order in a new seal, I decided it wasn't worth the hassle and didn't want the trim panels being ripped apart. It's an easy DIY fix, though - simply insert a length of silicone tubing (mines was 8mm diameter) into the body-door seal. The tubing is flexible and soft but sufficient to give a better seal to the top of the door. Alternatively, you can buy flexible rubber extrusion from Woolies - this would also work. Did you get yours looked at, BTW? Regards.

The Startin service guys at Powick are good - just had my Roomie serviced there - £227 (inclusive of VAT) for the 2yr Inspection Service and brake fluid change (and 1L of screen wash left in the car for me) - that's a discounted price. Much better than the supplying dealer (Winner Garage) in terms of customer service and technical competency. No hesitation in going back...... Based on personal experience, I would NOT recommend Winner Garage.

Anyone know if the Roomster is fitted with the (unreliable) Teves Mk60 unit? Thanks.

son - there is a clear issue on the steering rattle - confirmed by myself again, given the wide temperature ranges we've been experiencing recently. My observations: Below 12oC, there is a clacking/rattle from the front suspension - mines is worse on the n/s but also evident from the o/s; above 12oC, the noise is eliminated completely; I've owned the car from new and the problem manifested itself in the Dec following Sept delivery (ie when the cold weather arrived). Supplying dealer confirmed the problem and tried various things - new steering racks (x3), dismantled interior to check for loose trim/components - I got fed up and tried another dealer - they changed the front bushes but this made no difference. I am STILL waiting to hear from Skoda Area Technical Manager - but don't expect a response. The clacking is still evident at low ambient temperature - going slowly over an uneven surface or over a speed bump etc - doesn't matter if the shocks are under compression or extension - noise is still there. My thoughts - metal contracts quite a bit over the temperature range concerned - I suspect some metallic part of the suspension or steering is contracting, resulting is free-play. It's bloody annoying. This, together with the other problems I've encountered, have done nothing for my faith in Skoda - I will change the vehicle at some point within the 3yr warranty period. Good luck and let me know what happens! A.

Peter - no warning lights - straight road - 'slightly moist' surface...... If ESP is factory-fitted on a 58 Roomster 3 (?), then I have it - owned the car since new and didn't specify ESP as an option.

Several times (over the course of a few months), now, my 58-plate Roomster 3 has exhibited an immediate loss of power - the circumstances are the same, in that I'm travelling uphill in either 4th or 5th at constant speed (around 45-50mph) and engine power is reduced significantly for about 1-2sec, then it picks up again. Could this be a dodgy air flow meter or throttle position sensor? I should take it in for a diagnostic check - anyone know of similar problems with the 1.6 petrol engine? Many thanks.

Sticking caliper was my thoughts as well - only on the one side, and it's the inboard pad that has been taken down to the backing plate. I would have expected the caliper on a 58-plate vehicle, with only 10,300 miles since I bought it, to be better than that - it is a 'sealed' unit, after all. Thanks for confirming expected mileages - the guy at the dealer was a bit taken aback at the low mileage. I've booked into the dealer for Thursday 'cos I think it should be warranty job (its only 16 months old and was serviced there at 10K) - will let everyone know what happens. A.

Done 10,300 on my Roomster 3 and am now getting the 'graunching' from the front - indicative of brake pad backing rubbing on the disk. Took n/s wheel off and the inner pad is down to metal, although the outer one has quite a bit remaining. The pad thickness warning light is not on (but they tend not to work, in my experience, anyway). I only cover about 5000 miles/yr, predominantly on a 20mile/day journey. The wheel has never been excessively hot and there's never been any binding, so I guess the caliper hasn't been sticking. Is this sort of asymmetric wear normal? Is this a typical lifetime for the front pads? Rather than change them myself (I've done them before on our Golf IV), I'll probably book it into the dealer - any idea what cost to expect? Thanks.

You may or may not have noticed that the 'rattle' occurs at low temperatures only - specifically, below about 10degC. Above this, the noise is very much diminished and not noticable at higher ambient temperature. Also, it may have nothing to do with turning - do you hear the same noise, for example, going over an uneven surface (eg a speed hump) moving straight ahead at very low speed? If yes to the above, see my previous postings related to this from 1 year ago.