Tailhappy

Thanks JR. I'll double check routing later but I'm 99% sure its fine. The alternator pulley is freewheeling and locking fine. Looking through old threads could a battery that's failing be a possibility? But even at full charge rate the alternator shouldn't slip surely? I don't think it's an AC compressor problem as that's working fine.

After the car has been left for a few days in the colder weather (2005 vRS) and I start the car I get a shriek noise that lasts around 5 to 7 seconds. On popping the bonnet I can then feel the aux drive belt is hot. I fitted a new belt and tensioner but no change. I have also replaced the alternator pulley which was jammed. Both alternator and air conditioning compressor pulleys move freely when I remove tbe belt and spin them. After the screeching has gone on a few seconds it goes away and is gone for the rest of the day. Has anyone had anything like this? Any thoughts appreciated.

I was chatting with her about electric cars. She had some interesting thoughts but was on the whole luke warm on them (due to the screen) and the fact she would need to go and sit in a rather lonely car park in a rough area to charge was unappealing to her. She is happy with her Estelle 130 - but I asked what if it was written off. So she suggested an easier to find Skoda but still simple. Fair enough I guess. I wonder what the market for a completely simple EV would be? Wind up windows, basic kit, nice to drive, reliable. If anyone could make one it would be Skoda.

I was just thinking of the latest tech with the Tesla but I asked what she thought of them and it was a solid NO and no electric car either. Screen is a big no. But saying that I think that if (like her and many I suspect) are just used to driving 'normal' cars with as few buttons and no screens or alarms, then the jump to lane assist and voice commands would be too much.

I called in on her today and She agrees - the Felicia is a good choice!

Yes 100% agree its staying with her for sure. Its her loyal companion on the road. Just a thought as she parked up in Sainsbury's amongst all the cars that were nothing like her Estelle. Had me thinking.

Here's something to make you think. My mum has only driven 3 cars in her 63 years of holding a licence. 1960 Ford Consul Classic (for about 5 years) 1970 Fiat 600d (for just a couple of years) 1986 Skoda Estelle 130 (1999 to present). This is the only one she has owned. She does love driving so this got me thinking. What cars (theoretically) should she work through to get up to latest driving technology. She is still on manual choke and fuel priming before starting remember! Here's my list. 1. Ford Escort Mk.4. To get used to front wheel drive and fuel injection. 2. Vauxhall Astra Mk.5 to get used to more modern controls, thicker pillars and power steering. 3. Mk.5 Honda CR-V to get used to larger size and infotainment screen use. 4. Tesla Model Y performance. She is 100% happy with her reliable little Estelle but what would your choices be to get someone up to current motoring tech who is only used to driving an old school Skoda?

Maybe so but cars (supposedly) have never been more economic and it seems such a noticeable difference. May be as simple as that though.

I've noticed on the clear dual carriageway I use every day that drivers are going slower than they did say 5 years ago. I used to be the slow one doing 65 or 70 but while my speed hasn't changed I find myself overtaking most other cars. It's really noticeable. My colleague commented that it's because modern cars have a speed alarm. Has anyone had experience of this? Does it keep chiming or flashing or something? It's certainly slowed drivers down - a bit too much sometimes.

I'm not sure if I'm alone but I really find rattle and buzz sounds distracting when driving. Maybe I've been spoiled by my 105 😉 but I thought it may be useful to mention here some I found. Feel free to add yours too! Loose airbox made for rattling from behind the glove box. Cured by tightening the two cross point screws. Loose pipe connection where air intake pipe snaps into below the slam panel. Buzzed at 1500 RPM. Packed out the clips with silicone. Loose chrome front grille insert. Buzzed and resonated through the bonnet. Fixed with short lengths of cable tie. Bonnet stay rod holder loose. Packed out with foam. Made knocking. Hope these may help someone. Please don't hesitate to add your own.

I used it in my Estelle and then tbe head gasket blew. Coincidence or protest?

Just fitted and it's perfect. One aspect of fitting new plastic parts in place of old that I appreciate is that they are a tight fit like new with no rattling. Even the top cover is now a much nicer fit with no buzzing noise as it used to vibrate. Sadly it's not possible to replace all plastic items in the engine bay but it's something to consider when you discover a plastic part with broken clips or slight damage - renewal is always best.

I got a genuine VW one through from Fixparts https://www.fixparts-online.co.uk It arrived today. So if anyone wants one here is the place to get one. I tried repairing the old one but its under a fair bit of load and the repair would be temporary at best.

I'm looking at repair options. It's going to be tricky as it's snapped on a 90 degree bend. I may have found a source for new but have not had a reply yet. If I can get one I'll share here if its good news.

Yes great cars and SO easy to work on. No plastic parts that snap as you look at them either!

Yes very fragile items. The main reason I want to fix it is that I can hear it rattling and buzzing as it is not secure. Its not safely related as the battery is bolted down.

Cheers Pete. Looking at the used examples for sale they all appear broken - because it's a weak design. I'll pop a saved search on ebay. Fingers crossed. Shame parts are getting harder to find. Oddly it seems parts are easier to find for my Estelle 105 than the Fabia. Difficulty finding parts reduces ownership pleasure.

Mine has broken and I'm having a tough time finding one online. Does anyone know a good source? I can find 'used' from Lithuania for over £50 but I'd rather buy from the UK or new if possible. You have to bend the clip on it to access the battery and its snapped clean off. Thanks for any help

Vacuum advance capsules came as part of the distributor for as long as I can remember but I have a new one somewhere. Message me if you need one and it's yours for the price of postage.

Lovely 120. And the paint looks good too - someone has looked after it! I use Luminition electronic ignition. It is not affected by wear in the distributor shaft as it uses an optical assembly in place of points. I've run it for 15 years now and it's been great. Any help with your 120 I'm happy to give. Following on from the previous post the only decent tyre available in original fitment are Continental. Quite a few of the budget ones are trailer tyres and work very poorly on cars.

Update. I spent an hour tracking down potential issues and found the alternator pulley freewheel seized solid. So looks like that's the problem.

Thanks that's good to know.

I'm suspicious of my N/S engine mount. When the engine revs I get the engine sound coming through the bulkhead on the passenger side and when idling the engine seems to rock slightly meaning that can be fet too. Tbe engine when pushed by hand moves rather easily...plus it seems to be sloping down to the right side. Is this normal? I have socket sets, trolley jack and some skill. But is this a DIY job or one better suited to the garage. I don't have an engine hoist. Thanks for any help.

I don't really mind, but the newest car in the family - a (55 / 2005) is an outlier due to its 'old age' in my area of Hemel Hempstead (Hertfordshire). Most seem to be 69 or newer with the very occasional 13 reg. Most likely are leased I guess but I am surprised what with the supposed shortage of new and nearly new cars how many there are on the roads with almost no older but good used cars running.. What's it like in your area? A good mix or have you noticed lots more newer cars on the road?

Think 3 mph is about the norm now. Just about right, gives you a little wiggle room as it were.