ArthurDaley

Well, I tried my luck today....using the following stuff: - to clean the metal parts I used a brush with a long handle and a can of engine cleaning spray as well as a large sheet of cardboard under the car to avoid staining the floor. - to clean the (removed) engine covers I used a bucket of water, a cloth and finally silicone spray to make the surfaces shine and deep black. - to clean the underside of the bonnet and the front parts I used the bucket again, this time with car shampoo. - finally I used a transparent wax spray to conserve the metal parts of the engine block. Didn't have the bottle to use the pressure nozzle, to be honest. But I still like the result: Pictures are a bit overexposed, have to do them again.

Thanks ;-)

Hi guys, as that pinned guide on the topic is missing its pictures and also seems to be a bit outdated: Can anybody throw in some good advice on how and with what products the engine bay is best cleaned? I want to avoid any high pressure tools for obvious reasons. Which products do you use? How do you reach all the different places that are a bit more hidden? Stuff like that.... Thanks Arthur

Welcome aboard....oder willkommen an Bord, wie man hier in Deutschland sagt ;-)

Turbo definitely....

Welcome aboard. Would be better to only introduce urself here and then pose technical questions in the appropriate sections to also get answers ;-)

OK. As it happens, it turned out that I don't need to change the belt for another year. My service booklet is from 2005 and says the belt needs doing at 120000 km, however when I wanted to book it in they told me it is as late as 150000 kms. I called Skoda Germany to have this confirmed which they did. So, being only 105000 km on the clock there is no need to rush. Might well happen that the car is being swapped to a Superb Station Wagon before that, we'll see.

Good plan...

I had just that on my former Vauxhall Meriva, there it was the steering gear that had to be replaced. With an Octavia I guess probably it's more likely to be the bushes....which should be easily checkable and not too expensive to replace.

sorry, double post....

Sounds like either the steering gear or one of the front bushes....

Too screaming on the optical side for a family car....

At last....you are sooo right.

I also had Pegasus on mine, same colour as yours: Mind you, I gave them away again as I also found the ride far to uncomfortable. Got myself a set of Lyra-16 inchers from a 2010 model, which look nearly as good in my opinion: Tires are cheaper for them, too.... ;-) Zeniths are very good looking as well, so have fun with them.

Normally I'd say the DMF has to be replaced with all the rest like clutch and so on, which amounts up to around 1000 Pounds.... But when you say pumping a few times makes it work it might also be an air bubble in the fluid or a damaged master- or slave-cylinder. I think one of them is easy to replace, for the other the gearbox has to come out, in which case I would highly recommend to also replace the clutch. It's a "while they're at it" - thing ;-)

Thankx for your replies, guys. Will have it changed with it, then. Cheers. Still some 10000 miles to go before I reach the crucial mileage...

Not my style, really....I think they are far too dark and boyracerish.....I for one would much prefer sth like the FL rear lights and then using LEDs....like the chinese offer:

Hi guys, just a quick question: On the above mentioned engine, does the timing belt also drive the water pump? I am only asking because in a few months the belt has to be replaced and as yet I don't know if on this engine it makes sense to replace the water pump with it... Cheers Arthur

Good heavens, steer clear....far too risky. Remember those piezo injectors that cause huge problems on the 2007 170 hp TDIs....go for a common rail or chose a petrol model, would be my advice. More info on the injectors here

Same here, also never heard of any mass error like that. Where did you get this info from?

Citroen... ? Really wish you best of luck, I am pretty sure you will need it....one Renault Megane for me sufficed to make me never ever buy anything french again....

Always a problem, when not servicing the car with Skoda...but in the end, who can blame them? Really bad news when this happens, tho it is quite common with those piezo-injectors....

You need the washers, the height sensors and the new Xenons, as well as all the wiring looms....quite expensive, not worth it, I'd say...

Did this to my front doors as well after a water ingress many moons ago...no worries ever since. The pollen filter in european cars is found on the right side in the foot well behind the glove compartment. Not sure which way it is in UK cars, tho...

Here's a pic of Rallye Green: http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/216113-new-color-and-interior-for-the-vrs/