drmike

The spare in a scout is 205/55R16 The 225/50R17 normal wheel does NOT fit in the well.

Mine has done without for 2 years now, after the securing bolts snapped off when I was removing it for an oil change. Car seems to be fine. Possibly a little noisier outside. I doubt the effect of smoother airflow under a diesel Skoda is going to be significant in terms of drag.

Nokian weatherproofs are indistinguishable from full winters in snow (as far as I can tell). Their warm weather performance is accordingly compromised, but not enough for me to change them and they are still a million times better than Chinese summer tyres. It is a Skoda estate after all, not a sports car.

rear tyre alignment?

Might be worth checking the source of the leak yourself... I've had a leak from the "out" pipe from the intercooler (pd 140). I finally got round to sorting it recently. From what I read there is always some oil blow by at the turbo bearings and into the intake. Some people clean out their intercoolers every 80k or so because of this (combined with having too much time). Anyway, I think what happened was last time it had a cam belt the pipe had to be removed to get access. When they put the pipe back on the intercooler the small rubber seal got caught and therefore failed to seal again. Nice oil spray over front of engine. I bought a new seal off a well known internet auction site for about £5 and fixed the leak. 3C0145117F 57.85mm was the code.

Is it an automatic? If so, the lever might not quite be in Park. The car then won't let you turn the key. Happened to me once....

It can be something really simple, like the layer of paint on the new pads making them just a bit tight in the caliper. Filing the paint off the edge of the pad sorts this.

Rainworth? I tested it a couple of weeks ago and it was very nice. Love the red.

I saw a kid nearly lose a finger once on one of these. Tried to close the door by pushing on the protector and it retracted. Took a while to re-attach... (the finger).

I get exactly the same thing on my scout. I agree that it sounds like it should be exhaust related - mine fell off on a French autoroute last year and has been welded back on. I tend to just drive round it (change down a gear and it's fine). My Haldex has been serviced as per instructions. I did read something about a rubber prop shaft coupling wearing and causing something similar on Audi TT's (same 4x4 system, give or take a generation of Haldex). The car's only worth about 1500 quid now, so I'm not going to spend loads solving it!

If it's an automatic the key won't turn if the car thinks it's not in park... I know it's simple, but it foxed me for a bit.

I have nokian Weatherproofs (225/50/17) on mine. Mountain snowflake marked (comply with German winter tyre rules). Coped perfectly in Les Arcs despite us getting 90cm one night, didn't need to dig the car out - just power and let the Haldex sort it out! Didn't need chains (good job; they don't fit with these tyres). They are not the last word in handling in summer, but then it's not a sports car. If you need to put chains on, get 205/55/16 winters on steels. Any bigger and chains will foul the arches.

The Halford's guide on the shelf was wrong for me. Had to take it back twice before we got the right one.

How do they stop you filling up? Surely just turn up, fill up, and then what? They refuse to take your money?

But seriously, the pumps can fail...

Drive into a muddy field and see if you can get out. ????

I got the bits from Haldexparts.com It was 4 years ago though, so worth looking around.

Have a read of this thread. (from experience)...

As above, car on stands. Use trolley jack to lower/raise tray. It weighs an absolute ton, but at least you know you're not going to trash your sump on a rock! Also has Bentley stickers on it.

The obd readers will only read engine codes and won't tell you about transmission etc. (iirc). Still very useful to have for the 6 quid or so that they cost (with Torque free app on your phone).

It's a bit more than that. I make it 3.6 million km. Or 2.2 million miles. That's nearly ten return journeys to the moon!!

My Haldex story... http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/327454-scout-haldex-pump/

Thanks for these offers chaps. Had it done at the (very) local indy (ESP) after all for half the price of the stealership! £153 all done. SWMBO had a long trip this weekend so couldn't wait.

Hi, My Octy Scout has developed a fault with the exhaust sensor (g450). I'm buying a new sensor but I gather it needs to be adapted to the car using VCDS. Does anyone in the area have VCDS and can help me out please? If so, what's the going rate in terms of beer tokens/actual beer? Thanks, Mike.

The dealers have a special funnel tool thingy to fill the Haldex up with oil. Very easy with that. Just attach to fill plug. Pour in 720ml oil. wait. replace filler cap. If you're only changing the oil definitely go to the dealer. 60 quid is nothing compared with the faff of doing it yourself.