James_H

Just clearing some rubbish out and came across the wrapper and receipt form this wiper, so thought I would point out exactly happened in the end. The part number for the curved blade needed on the Octavia mk 1 hatch with the cover was 1U6 955 425 A. I had been billed for a blade different to the one originally supplied, neither of which were the right one. Needed a few dealer visits in total back in May but was finally sorted out.

I though I had better head back to the dealer to try to swap it after writing the post, just in case they wouldn't accept any refund if I only went back next weekend. Thanks for the part numbers. The bloke behind the parts counter said that he must have picked the wrong blade, with the 'B' making the difference. As there were none in, he has ordered one for me. I think I'll have to call them on Monday, as it sounds like a 13" estate blade might be on its way. A lot of faffing for a £5 part :(

I wanted to replace my rear wiper blade ages ago. Knowing it's a dealer-only part, I tried the servicing dealer ages ago but it completely foxed the parts person and he said they couldn't supply it. It's from a 2003 L&K hatch, the one with the cover on, and is now split and getting quite grotty. I tried a different dealer last weekend. He struggled to find it on the computer, but said it wasn't in stock and so would have to be ordered. He took my number but didn't call in the week. While passing by this morning, I called in and there was someone else on the counter. He looked at the computer again, went upstairs and brought it down. It didn't look as curved but was difficult to tell when in the packet. Now I've brought it home, it looks quite different. I have removed the adapter that was fitted for a normal arm. Apologies for the poor quality. I seem to have misplaced my digicam so used the phone. New one is on the top in the first picture, bottom for the second. The new blade is completely straight so I have a feeling this is the wrong part, especially as it seemed generic with the adaptor and is certainly not a specific model part. The part number was 1M6 955 425 but the invoice states 1U9 955 425B. Any experts on here who can confirm whether this is ok, or whether I should take it back and get them to supply the same one as before? Or even better and provide the part number. Thanks, James. EDIT: I've just tried to fit it and it's definitely the wrong one, as it needs to be curved to fit behind the plastic cover.

Interesting thread. It seems the oiled filters offer trivial airflow benefit in exchange for low filtration. Cleaning off the MAF-killing oil on an oiled filter would let even more dust through. So if getting an aftermarket filter, it seems best to stay away from the oiled versions completely.

Note the subtle change to the title! Although in this case, a bit like squishing a mosquito, it's a good thing but with a bit of a mess left behind. On Saturday, I took the MAF off and gave it a good clean. I thought I would also check to see what my intake is looking like. Removing the EGR revealed these nasties: Nowhere near as bad as pictures I've seen of other cars, but it can't be efficient with all that crud in the intake. I didn't have the time or the inclination to clean up the entire intake but decided to do just the EGR while it was off: I let it to dry overnight then put it all back together on Sunday, but now I get a permanent check engine light and the Emissions Workshop message. I gather that the EGR is now sticking, so I've probably done myself a favour by it being stuck shut, but I just have the annoying light, bleep and message, or potentially another problem. :( The car still drives like it did before, no problems with power. I tried with the cleaned MAF disconnected and it was noticeably worse than normal. Connected again and economy doesn't seem too bad on the short test runs. I was tempted to buy a VAG-COM anyway so almost certainly will now to help find out what's the issue (and disable the EGR, or the new one if I need it). Oh and one tip - if anyone else tries to clean their intake parts, dont get the oily goo on your fingers. I still cant get my fingernails completely clean. :eek:

I have heard of more MAF failures causing low power (including my last). But excessive smoke is a sign of overfulling, possibly from a MAF saying there's more air than there really is. That said, I'm not sure how much should be excessive smoke- but I don't seem to get much. Tyre pressures are ok. I'll have a close look for anything untoward under the bonnet this weekend.

Hi, thanks for the responses. I have tried looking for smoke but can't say there appears to be a lot. I have a can of IPA so giving the MAF a clean sometime won't do any harm and could give some benefit, although maybe only temporary..

I have an Octy PD130 and fitted a K&N panel filter to it instead of the usual OEM paper one. Performance of late seems fine most of the time but economy is noticeably poor. I can't get much more than low 40s mpg, sometimes only low 30s (urban but not stop start crawls). I don't know how reliable the dash indicator is but you can often see it sometimes shows reasonable mpg, sometimes very low pretty much the same conditions. One possibility is that the MAF is on the way out and overfuelling the engine, hence the same power but poor mpg. Certainly the opposite of when the MAF failed on my Leon where power vanished. Searching back through the threads has found mixed views on replacement filters - many say there is no problem, others say it can be a known problem. The car has done 77k, so could be due a new MAF anyway. I don't have a VAG-COM or a laptop, but realise I out to get it checked before shelling on something that may not be at fault. Anyone fitted a K&N and had the same issues? If the MAF does turn out to be faulty, should I get rid of the K&N as well? Or is the filter likely to have shed its excess oil after a couple of thousand miles and do no harm to a replacement MAF? James

I managed to get the trim off to change my aerial but can't work out how to get it back on. The metal bits inside the holes in the roof - I can't get these out to back in the plastic, if that's what has to happen. Any ideas?

I do a very low mileage in my Octavia (I run two cars). It was last serviced in July and has only covered 4000 miles since the last service although the 1000 miles to next service indicator now comes on. I have read that the indicator is also time-based, so if the average continues then the 1000 will run out at the 12-month anniversary. Although set-up at new for variable servicing, it covered very high miles in its early life on the fixed servicing schudule! Is the indicator likely to adjust itself so that if, say, I do 1000 miles in the next month, it will adjust itself based on the new average to the expected miles until July? Or is it definitely going to be 1000 miles from now? Thanks, James

Hi. The replacement part I now have is 1UO 035 505 F. James

Sorry for yet another aerial post but I haven't found anything covering my situation. I have a 2003 L&K hatch with the anti-theft aerial, which hasn't really done its job as someone has pinched the mast. :( I bought a replacement OEM VAG mast off eBay but it just wouldn't screw in, with the thread not seeming long enough. I bit the bullet and paid the