Cliveski

Thanks Mogwye, the air filter is only a couple of months old. I have swapped the MAF over to no benefit and changed the coolant temperature sensor too. I'm going to change the fuel filter soon but I think I'm onto something with the brakes . . . .

My 1.9 TDI economy is down 7mpg roughly so I'm checking various things to see what might be causing the loss. I checked the brakes today and need some advice please - I left the handbrake off and jacked the rear up to spin the wheels and I could hear and feel there was constant light contact. I then put the handbrake on and jacked the front up and spun the front wheels - again I could hear and feel constant light contact (if anything it was worse on the front). I'm guessing my brakes are dragging front and back and the wheels should spin freely, smoothly, silently? What could be causing this and how can I resolve it? I'm keen to do the work myself if possible as I want to gain more mechanical knowledge. Any advice would be appreciated. Clive

I think I can help - I recently removed the near side rear plastic trim housing the speaker grill / boot light when I wanted to access the rear wash/wipe pipe. The plastic trim housing the speaker grill is held in place by three screws - one is obvious (on the end near the boot opening) the second one is behind the boot light so you will need to lever the light fitment out from the side to reach it, last one is in the hole which the boot roller blind 'expands' into so you need to remove the roller blind to see that screw. Once the screws are removed the plastic trim pulls away from the side of the car - it's held in place by those metal clips things so it will need a good tug! I don't think the plastic trim next to the rear passenger door needs to be removed? but if it does the 'how to' on fixing a non-working rear wash/wipe will tell you what to do.

Recently purchased a 2002 Bora with the same engine as my soon for sale 2003 Fabia Estate (1.9 tdi). The Bora's economy is around 40mpg compared to around 50mpg I was getting in the Fabia - I was expecting there to be a 5mpg difference maybe (official figures suggest the difference should be around 3mpg). There could be several reasons for the difference in economy but while I still have the Fabia I thought I could swap the MAF's over to see if that makes a difference (part numbers appear to be the same on Eurocarparts). Can I simply swap them over then back again or will I upset each car?

I'm very suprised you didn't sell your car, can't argue with the price! These engines are capable of very high miles. I'm about to sell my 2003 1.9 Tdi estate with 80k miles and will be wanting £3k - hope I get more interest!

I have a 2003 Fabia Estate without roof rails. I got a genuine roof rail kit cheap on eBay but haven't found time to fit it yet. The kit comprises of the rails and different trim to replace the existing trim in the roof channels - it's different to allow bolts to go through to the underside of the roof and for spacing issues. To retro-fit roof rails you need to remove the black plastic trim from the roof channels, insert the new, drop the headlining on the inside of the car then bolt the rails onto the top of the car. ExAudiSi has retrofitted them and said "I have retrofitted the OEM longitudinal roof rails on SWMBO's Fabia Estate. You don't need to remove the headlining to fit them, but you do need to drop the sides, which included removing the A, B C pillar trims. Not the easiest job, but completed in one afternoon and definitely worthwhile as it finishes off the look of the estate (in my opinion anyway)"

I like the dark green metallic one - guess it depends on service history and so on - cambelts and anti-roll bars can be expensive jobs . . .

To be honest this post made me think about it joining Briskoda again (my last membership lapsed). The final push I needed was that without being a member I could not post items for sale. I think it's fair to restrict some aspects of the site for those who financially support it - £12 is nothing for the advice and support you can get when you have a problem with your car. Keep up the good work

I agree with Moggy. I believe the gas mixes with the oil and so circulates around the system. If you run out of gas the lack of luricant can damage the compressor and so on. The top-up cans from Halfords are no good - vacuum and refill is the only way to ensure correct amount of gas and oil. Looking at £30 upwards every 3/4/5/6 years depending how tight you are

Thanks Reflex88 - I had read that post previously - but prior to your final post, having read your final post it makes more sense and I imagine I need a new radio remote. UPDATE 07/07/09 Got a used remote key off ebay and used the top of that key (where the buttons and transponder electricals are) with the bottom of my own remote key (where the blade and immobiliser chip are). I then did the key coding proceedure but the horn never sounded / lights never flashed - thought it hadn't worked but when I took the other key out of the ignition and locked the car with it I was then able to use my 'new' key to unlock the car by remote. Only cost me £3.50 so well pleased. Just need to make sure you buy a key with the same frequency (mine was 434mhz) as written on the side of the top part of the key.

I think I may have a problem with my actual remote key fob. Key works fine to start the car or unlock the door manually but the remote doesn't do anything - I have changed batteries but the little red light on the fob never lights up. Can anyone suggest what might be the problem and how I go about fixing it? I have tried re-programming the key in the lock but nothing happened - no horn sound or flashing indicatorsl. Sadly I don't have any of the key codes, just two keys (1 normal and 1 remote).

My last Fabia (hatchback) was written off in January and this is the replacement. I transfered the alloys over from my old car onto this one - they are Octavia 15" alloys which I bought off a fellow member. Since added Fabia size tyres and got a brand new 5th alloy for peanuts on eBay which I use as a spare TDi_B5 was keen to see the alloys on this car so (having washed the car) here are some pictures . . . . . . . . I will have to update the post at some point to show the difference once I have fitted roof rails . . . got some off eBay but they are time consuming to fit so it may be some time

I have recently changed from a 1.9 tdi hatchback to 1.9tdi estate and can say there is no noticeable loss in performance or economy. The boot space is impressive considering the estate is only a little longer than the hatchback. I would say it's double the space (or at least feels it). I think small estates are the way forward for me

Sounds about right - think you should have a leak test done and also renew the filter thing which absorbs any moisture from the system (is that the receiver drier?)

There is some confusion isn't there - think the official line has changed once or twice - every 4 years or 40k miles (whichever comes soonest) is sensible. Worthwhile getting the water pump done too (maybe for one with brass impellars) and the relevant bolts.

I like clever number plates which spell something out rather than initials. I can't stand plates which have been manipulated with spacing or black screws - may as well drive around without a plate, or with a plate which clearly (and illegally) spells out what you want it to. Whatever, a decent plate will always attract the wrong attention and some jealous chav will key your car rather than the one next to it

I just managed to buy some genuine roof rails (and gutter trim) off eBay for my Fabia Estate. I read on here at least one person had retro-fitted these so was hoping they might see this post and offer some advice on fitting them. As I understand it the job can be done by removing the A,B and C pilliar trim and the grab handles - allowing the headlining to be dropped enough to allow access to the fixing holes? Any tips on removing all this trim? any help would be appreciated!

It sounds like the flap motors - there are a couple hidden in the dashboard which control air direction and the hot/cold mix - they are know to stick. I understand they can be re-set using Vag.com but the problem often comes back. If your car is under warranty it is worth investigating as it's a BIG job to change the motors. Having said all that . . . if your AC button is not lit up it might be the heater control module (the one with the dials/buttons on it) as when that goes wrong your heat setting will stay the same no matter what you set it too (but the direction will change as before). There are some useful 'how to' guides on here . . .

I have recently put 15" Octavia Alloy Wheels on my Fabia Estate (with Fabia size tyres) they are ET43 so stick out 5mm more than standard Fabia wheels. They look sooo much better than the 14" steel wheels I had on there!

TyreTest.com - Tyre reviews - an independent consumer survey might be of some use.

I used a Dension Ice Link Plus cable which also charged the ipod and switched it on and off. I could use the CD player buttons to control my ipod.

Ibuprofen ?

As I had lots of posts/views to do with my Fabia being rear-ended I thought I should let you know I now have a replacement car and it's not a Toyota Corolla I got a 2003 Fabia Estate 1.9 TDi Comfort. Silver, 2 private owners from new, 71k miles, 7 services, Cambelt at 60k. I got it from Perry's Ford in High Wycombe - £3500 down from £3895. I didn't spend too much time checking it over but so far I'm happy with it - I have one problem with judder from the brakes at high speed though . . . . I'm really impressed with the boot compared to the hatchback. No plans to mod it except change the 14" steel wheels for the 15" alloys I saved from my last car.

Thanks people. I think my next car will either be another Fabia TDi (see my wanted advert) or a Toyota Corolla 1.6 (approx 03/04 year). Nothing too exciting then

Just to wrap this thread up I can confirm it has all been resolved now I got a £2800 pay out and was able to keep my alloy wheels (replaced them with steel wheels) and 9 day old battery (put the old one back in which was sufficient once re-charged). I will also be getting a £73 refund on my road tax. In the scheme of things I'm happy as there were a few things I was about to pay out on - anti-roll bar and bushes and fixing the flap motors as although I got the aircon working again it was either hot or cold with not a lot between.