KBAKER

Thanks to everyone for their replies - especially to Carl. Tomorrow - when it's hopefully warmer - I'll take off the connector block and see if there's any corrosion or damp. Kind regards

Hi, I have a 2005 Octavia 2.0d. The larger of the 2 fans (the one on the right of the engine bay as you look at the car from the front) won't stop running when the engine is switched off. It will get up to speed, stop, and then immediately start again. Any ideas as to what the problem might be, please?

Hi, I was interested to read about your problem. I have an 05 MII Octavia. I fitted a new battery about a year ago, and now - if I don't use the car for a fortnight - the battery is drained. If you can find a solution to your problem, I'd be interested! Kind regards, Keith

Turbos seem to be suspect on the early 2.0 - even Skoda's Customer Service dept acknowledge it (in their round-about way!). Mine gave up at just over 100k but others have had to be replaced with as little as 20k on the clock. If you hear a noise like police car's siren when you take it for a test run, then steer clear or be prepared to pay £1200 for a replacement turbo.

I'd say the turbo was on the way out. My son had a similar fault code with his Seat. It was under warranty from an independent garage and the dealer tested everything possible connected to the turbo system before reluctantly having to concede it was the expensive bit - the turbo - at fault. My Octavia 11 has just had a new turbo at 104000. When I complained to Skoda they were amazed it had lasted so long! Life expectancy of about 60k (end of warranty time!) but had been known to fail at 20k, was what they said. I've had a recon unit fitted - basically my old turbo casing with new innards. Only warrantied for one year rather than Skoda's two, but it was about half the price.

Don't get me started on towbars! I've had a real problem with my factory-fitted one seizing up. I had a message posted some time ago, and several members were kind enough to offer advice (can't say the same for Skoda Customer Care). It seems the factory-fitted detachable bars seize up either because they've been left off for some time or left on. A Skoda dealer will probably not fit the towbar themself but send the car to an independent fitter - if this is the case with your dealer then you might as well go straight to the independent. The last one I spoke to didn't think much to detachables and thought the fixed bars were less problematic.

I've just had mine replaced at a little over 100k. A recon fitted by an independent will cost about £800 and a new one which is dealer fitted will cost about £1200. I wouldn't wait until the turbo lets go!

In the good old days we always used talcum powder!

Yes, I've noticed this too. And on my wife's 1.9 Tdi Fabia. Sorry - can't help you with an explanation!

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. The "ding" is not as loud as the one that sounds for the low temperature warning, or the seat-belt warning. It is more muffled, as though the bell itself is loose and is catching on something when I corner or go over a bump. Does anyone know whether there is an actual bell, or whether the sound is electronic?

I have a 2005 2.0 L&G Tdi estate which has developed an intermittent dinging noise - just like a bicycle bell. In fact, it sounds like the "fasten seat-belts" warning sound. I can't tell where it's coming from; one minute it sounds as though it's in the steering-wheel area, and the next it seems to be coming from the rear seat. It's the same effect as a dripping tap - once you know it's there it drives you mad. Any suggestions as to what it might be, please?

My 2005 Octavia L&K has developed an annoying "ding" when cornering. The noise sounds like a bicycle bell - probably the one that gives a "seat belt not fastened" warning. Does anyone know where it is located, please, and whether it is a common problem? Thanks

Bought a 100k Octavia recently with the police siren noise coming from the turbo. Must have taken it to a dozen dealers and independents for a diagnosis.Never got any consensus of opinion.Phoned Skoda; they were amazed the turbo had lasted so long! Took the plunge and had the turbo removed.Not good news! New turbo fitted. Isn't it amazing VAG/Skoda et al can't fit a reliable turbo! My son had to have a new turbo fitted in his Seat.

Hi James, I guess there are various reasons why people aren't changing their cars at the moment - mortgage rates, falling house prices, stock market losses, price of domestic heating ,price of fuel.... just no cash to spare. However, I'm sure things will pick up for the car market sooner than for other areas of the economy such as the building market. Borrowing rates should fall soon as the government tries to put the brakes on inflation; interest rates for investors will be very low so people will see little advantage in saving; oil prices will fall as demand from industry slows; and then there's the psychological pick-me-up of "buying something nice" to help people forget their troubles. If you're in the trade I know things are difficult at the moment, but just hang on in there.

My wife's 2001 Fabia has had problems with both rear doors. Both trims are badly stained. I took off the inside panels thinking it might be a problem with the seals to the metal shield behind the trim - but have now concluded its the design of the rubbers. Has anyone tried cutting the rubber door seals or modifying them in any way? Not surprised Skoda won't accept there's a problem - despite all the evidence. Par for the course.

Don't bother contacting Skoda's Customer Care! All I wanted to know was how does their factory-fitted towbar locatesafely into the housing of the 3-year-old Octavia I have just bought, to make sure I had done it safely. "Take it to your local dealer". I've now taken it to 3, and none of them can help. So.... why don't I ring Customer Services again and explain their dealers don't know the answer to my question? I ring and am told only dealers can contact the Technical team. But I only want to know if I've fitted your factory towbar correctly to the housing! "Sorry Sir, we can't help. You have to go through your dealer." I get back to the dealer and am told it will cost £30:50 + VAT to book the car in. They will then contact the Technical department at Skoda. I explain there's nothing wrong with the car; I simply want someone to tell me how the swan-neck locates into the housing so I know I've done it safely! Stalemate! Oh, and the turbo seems ready to blow!

Thank you. I appreciate the trouble you're going to.

Thanks for the advice. I took it to a towbar fitter - an independent used by a Skoda main dealer - but he hadn't come across one quite the same.

I have a three-year-old Octavia 2.0 tdi estate with a factory-fitted detachable towbar. The towbar has never been used and the circular plate at the top-end of the swan-neck appears to have seized up. Has anyone got one of these towbars? If so, what does the circular plate at the top of the swan neck do? Is it supposed to spring up? Should the locking lever spring shut when the bar is pushed up the housing? Should there be any play in the lever once it has been locked? I've taken the car to 4 dealers but none knows how the factory-fitted towbar operates. I've emailed Skoda but all they suggest is contacting a dealer! Can anyone help, please?