MikeTheThinker

Behind the trim in the bottom third of the left hand side B pillar, according to the parts catalogue. https://www.lllparts.co.uk/catalogs/skoda/CZ/FABI/706/9/919/919050

"Vin Flinger". Now there's a name for an adventure film hero

You need to know your engine code to match the correct cooling system. If you don't have the service book to hand look in the spare wheel space for the configuration sticker.

Would this most likely be accompanied by screeching or squealing due to bearing failure?

I can't speak from experience of working on the mechanics (although I have my second O2 4x4) but the parts catalogue page for gearboxes for a 2009 O2 is HERE, and a little navigation will lead you to the other catalogue pages for the rest of the vehicle. From my understanding the 4-wheel drive system is triggered by monitoring the front wheels for slippage via the ABS system, in which case you would need to be looking at wheel sensors, ABS controller, plus wiring. I suspect there will be a 4x4 controller but I haven't looked. I know there are others on the forum who have converted mk1 Octys to 4wd so those posts may be helpful starting points.

The parts catalogue page for the front door locks is HERE. The main body of the lock is item 1.

My first suspect would be the solenoid that opens the lock getting tired, or perhaps the electrical connections corroding and reducing the available current.

Deliberate, yes, but that's what they're trained to do in the event of a potential threat to their protectees. Is it certain that the 'pedestrian' was actually a person and not a dummy? The way its legs flap after the bump doesn't look entirely natural.

Perhaps it's intake 'roar' as normally the intake is external to the cabin.

From a trawl of the interwebs and the OED it seems "gasses" is valid but deprecated in British English but quite prevalent in American and Australian English. I've been doing a lot of proofreading for American authors so it seems I have become contaminated by immersion. Time for a stiff upper lip

Snap!

Octavias (and I presume Fabias too) switch to internally recirculated air when reversing so as not to suck in exhaust gasses. When they do it sounds like the fan rate has increased.

What things have you had to sort along the way? BTW Ours is still a youngster at 170k

Are there any you would suggest as perhaps "least worst"?

I can only find one listed for a 2013 Fabia - HERE.

There are two immediate things you could do to help yourself; first, let us know whereabouts you are (so people will be able to gauge how far to travel) and secondly upload some pictures.

Just to clarify for your (and others') safety's sake, aquaplaning means your tyre/s have lost contact with the road surface and are skating on water. This means: 1) You have lost braking 2) You have lost steering 3) You have lost control of your 1 tonne plus armchair as it travels at whatever speed in only one direction, regardless of whatever the roadway or your desires wish for.

That looks like an 8 valve motor which would be (I believe) a BMM. From wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Škoda_Octavia): 2.0 TDI DPF 1968 cc 8v SOHC PD (Pumpe Düse - Unit Injector) 140 PS (103 kW; 138 bhp) at 4,000 320 N⋅m (236 lbf⋅ft) at 1,750 BMM 2007– present

OK, thanks for the heads-up. Good luck with the sale. BTW you might do better if you were willing to ship; have a look at a parcel agent (I use parcel2go.com but there are others).

Do you know if these would fit a 2014 mk2?

Just an FYI these cars of ours have an annoying habit of turning on random warning lights if the battery has been disconnected or the voltage has gone low. If that's the cause the lights clear up after a short run - usually less than a mile. The reason behind this behaviour is the various computerised controllers in the cars which don't tolerate insufficient voltage to operate properly and tend to throw up incorrect error conditions when they're deprived of their life-essence

Looking from behind the car with the tailgate open the pull handle fixes via a single torx screw through a hole in the lower tailgate panel (i.e. the upper one as you're looking at it) midway to the right. Technically I believe one is supposed to be able to remove and replace the pull handle rubber without removing said panel but it's never worked for me, so just prise off the panel (use plastic levers or you may mark it) to get to the fitting. To fit the new one, push the screw boss end through the panel before replacing the panel on the tailgate and then using your trusty torx screwdriver jiggle the fixing screw into place. It sounds worse than it is, honestly I'll take a piccy of the fitted location for you later.

Those brown marks look like rust, and if so the reflectors in the headlamps may have deteriorated as well. If that's the case the only answer would be replacement headlamps. There are plenty of units available via breakers - eBay is a good starting point - and when I last checked you could pick up a pair of units for under 100 squid. Remember you will need facelift lamps, not pre-facelift.

There was mention some while back (I think it was @J.R.) when it was pointed out that the Haldex system is only triggered when the OFFside front wheel loses traction, as opposed to a full 4WD system where all wheels are active all the time the system is engaged. Correction: OFFside front wheel (in the UK), not nearside.

I found this link via Fleet News. I assume it's part PR but the meat does seem genuine and interesting. Note; it's detailed! PDF link HERE.