bob54321

I remember some of my older cars - for instance my Scirocco MK2, moderate in weight, 1.8 engine, large wheels/tires....and yes the steering was tough and required some effort - but I dont think anyone was really complaining about it at the time. Perhaps it is too late to save man kind - we are all too weak and feeble now.

If you didn't have to work against the hydraulics in the steering rack (i.e. if it had bog-standard old-style rack-and-pinion rack) there would be no problem - plus there would be one less thing to go wrong. I see no advantage to having PAS - it's just another feature that manufactures can wow gullible customers with - IMO. I'm going to get the battery tested - you're probably right about it being the original one - perhaps 7 years old now. Cheers, Matt

Perhaps I should re-phrase that - power-steering on most modern cars is waste of time....unless you have exceptionally weak arms

Hi, Last night the power steering warning light came on the dash - and I dont think power-steering was working very well (at least not 100%). I ignored the the light and carried on my way and then parked up for the night. This morning tried to start the car and battery was dead. Once I got the car started, using my jump-pack, the warning light was not on. So do you think it is a dead alternator? Or dead battery? Or something else? Cheers, Matt p.s. does anyone else think power steering is waste of time on these cars!

Thanks rotodiesel. You have set my mind at ease. I take your warning about inexpert maintenance - I have some experience, and can follow instructions...but not an expert by any means. Given the stakes (i.e. dead engine) I wasn't keen on making any mistakes - hence the concern raised in this post. I think that I must have tensioned the belt correctly - the pointer and the gap in the back plates alligned - even though in my inexpert opinion the belt seemed quite tight. The only thing that you've now raised cause for concern about is the torque of the tensioner bolt...I followed the VAG manual 20Nm + 45 degrees (using my halfords torque wrench). Also, there were replacement studs in the kit which I didn't bother fitting as the ones already on looked totally fine, but then I'm probably wrong!!!? Still be interested to know why these tensioners are spring loaded? Cheers, Matt

Hi All, I've posted in the Fabia section as this is related to a Fabia 1.4 TDI PD but I've not had too many replies yet - I know this engine is pretty much the same engine as the 1.9 TDI PD in the Octavia. I just wanted some extra opinions....so if you wouldn't mind checking out: My other post in Fabia 1 section I'm worried that I may have fitted the tensioner incorrectly....this post here suggest you can even apply tension by turning it the wrong way: http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/170550-litens-belt-tensioner-failure/ I cant remember which way I turned it...I'm sure that when I fitted it there was only one direction of rotation that tension could be applied. I do think that this Litens tensioner is very confusing.....whats the point in the having this thing spring loaded? You have to pull against the spring to get the correct tension then tighten the bolt to hold it there! Why not leave the spring out? Your help greatly appreciated! Cheers, Matt

rotodiesel - so are you saying the pin is only there to facilitate easier fitting of the belt? I managed to get the belt on without the pin in, it was a slight squeeze but easy enough. I then tensioned it like you described, so that the pointer was positioned in the gap in the back plate. So, I think that means I've got the correct tension? Anybody listened to the sound clip? Like I said previously I not 100% sure this sound wasn't there before, or in fact if it's pretty normal for this engine! I'm going to scan in the instructions that came with the tensioner and post here later, just so others who follow get a heads-up - they are pretty shoddy! Cheers, Matt

Anybody? Does this sound normal to you: http://217.168.155.130/engine-noise.m4a Cheers. Matt

Hi, I've recently done the timing belt and tensioners (and water pump) on my 1.4 TDI PD. I did it using the official skoda service manual (which you can find out there on the internet, it's really good - probably better than haynes manual, there's on here for my engine: http://sziget.mine.nu/~tAB/nem_megnezni/Skoda/Biblia/Fabia/Engine AMF.pdf Plus, I consulted several forums/youtube videos, this one is good, although not exactly like the 1.4 TDI PD I have: The operation went more or less fine, had a bit of wrestle, did a fair bit of beard-scratching, but finished it and car runs fine. Except for a slight whining noise which follows the engine speed RPM's. I think, although not certain, that this noise was there before (only had car a week or so). Years ago I did the timing belt on a Polo, and I remember that I adjusted the tension way too tight and it sounded like a hover-craft, slackening the tension cured the noise. The Skoda sounds like it could be a similar thing....which is why I am questioning the tightness. When I tensioned the belt, I did it as described in the service manual and illustrated in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSQA0kF7Sh8 You can see the silver pointer on the back rotate clock-wise as tension is applied, the correct tension is achieved when the pointed is in the middle of the two noggins. I did have a bit of confusion to begin with, as the instructions that came with the new tensioner were different to that in the service manual. The tensioner came out the box with a pin in it and the instructions said to put the tensioner on, then put belt on, then apply tension and pull out the pin (or similar). Unfortunately I could not get the belt on with the pin in (i.e. there was not enough slack in the tensioner), so I removed the pin then follow the service manual instructions. Note: with the pin removed, the new and old tensioner seemed to operate identically - so I am a little baffled as to what the reason for the little pin is? Anybody? Now when I tensioned the belt I though it seemed a little tight...but I assumed this is normal as I've followed all instructions to the letter. I even compared old belt with new to check it was exact same size. So is it normal to have it pretty tight? And does you're 1.4 TDI PD have a slight engine whine? Thanks, Matt

Thanks - that's what I thought it should be. The VIN number has AMF in it also. How do these engines compare with the 1.9TDI PD engines - I read somewhere that they are basically the same except for 3 cylinders instead of 4 - is that true? Cheers, Matt

Hi, Just bought a 2004 1.4 TDI fabia estate. In the manuals/technical booklet that comes with the car it refers to the engine as a 1.4 TDI PD engine (Engine code: AMF - I think?). However, it doesn't say PD on the v5 and looking here it is not listed as PD: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%A0koda_Fabia I've also read some other forum posts that have confused me further into thinking this isn't a PD engine - even though it says so in the Skoda docs. Any body know for sure? Thanks, Matt

Thanks, but on my budget there is nothing in the Skoda garages. Does any one have the figures for timing belt renewal on this 1.4 TDI engine? Cheers, Matt

Hi All, Hope you don't mind lending a thought or two. I'm considering this car: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201152376287296 Been to see it and looks tidy enough. Main concern is the timing belt - none of the service history suggests it's been done ever. It's got 80,000 miles on the clock. The service book suggest the timing belt (or "toothed belt" as it says) should be done at 100,000 miles - but that doesn't seem right. I know the 1.9TDI is 60K/4 years. Any one know for sure what it is on this engine? Other points: clutch had a high biting point, brake pedal had fair bit of travel, uneven wear on the front brake pads (one looked close to needing replacement). Cheers, Matt

Thanks Mike. Has anyone done a timing belt on this engine? any pointers? Cheers, Matt

Yes def more of a drift to the left....more than I'd say is acceptable. Sounds like it probably isn't anything major. Thanks for your help! Matt

Oh and when should they be replaced? I've search the web and there is conflicting information about this, 40K and 4 years, or 60K? Or what? Cheers, Matt

Hi, I've had a bit of experience with mechanics, done a couple of timing belts on older cars in the past. Just want to know what's involved and if you need any special tools to do a belt change, water pump, pulleys etc... on a 1.9 TDI fabia? Cheers, Matt

Hi All, Thinking of buying a Fabia Estate 1.9TDI - it pulls very slightly to the left whilst driving. Tyre pressure looks ok, and wear on the tyres looks pretty even. What the most likely cause? Cheers, Matt

Thanks everyone. Some really useful pointers you've given - thanks Peter (aka Sherlock Holmes) I'll remember them tips. You've all convinced me to leave it alone! Been out today to look a couple of others on dealers forecourts, so I've got a better idea about what to look at now. Cheers, Matt

Hi All, I'm new to Skoda's, never owned before and went to look at first one this eve - left it in a bit of a puzzle. Here are the details: - 2004 - 54 Reg 1.9 TDI done 103,000 miles - No documentation, other than V5 and 2 MOT certificates. - In general poor condition, paintwork chipped and scratched - Interior very scraty and grubby - showing wear that looks to my eyes belonging to a car thats done more like 150,000miles, for example the gear knob was shiny and you couldn't see the markings on it. - Owner claims that timing belt, pulleys and water pump has been recently done, but now evidence to back this up - his mechanic mate did it. - New starter motor - Drivers side central locking not working. - 4 new tyres - 11 months MOT - Drove OK, pulled fine, speedy enough, no obivious mechanical problems. - I did notice that the clutch biting point was quite high - is this a sign of coming to end of life? - also, brake pedal seem to have a fair bit of travel on it, not sure if this is normal. He wanted £1600 - which seems ok. I have to say I'm not too worried about cosmetics - more concerned about mechanics and possible repair bills. I'd really appreciate your opinions as I'm totally new to Skoda's (just had a Citroen Xantia TD (RIP), which was a great car). Thanks, Matt