seaweasel

Quick once-over with a power washer to shift some bird befoulment (no fancy waxing today). Did some work on the throttle pedal, will post some photos and details once it's finished.

In the throttle pedal? From a few other threads I'd read on here, that's what I guessed. Will try taking it apart and giving the contacts a clean with IPA, and any moving bits a lube with some silicone spray (did have some lithium grease somewhere but don't what I've done with it). Shall report back with results.

Passed a Mustang in the Mustang Slayer yesterday, was going in the opposite direction however! Going to try and look at the throttle pedal this weekend if I have time, hopefully the last thing needing done to get it running smoothly.

There are a few bits of software that you should be able to use to copy the music off, and then sync the iPod to your current iTunes library. There's a free open source program called Floola that's available for Windows, Mac and Linux as far as I remember. There are various others around too. Also, the shuffles should just mount as USB storage IIRC, so you could just access the content in Windows Explorer/Finder depending on your OS and copy it over. The files will likely be in lots of random folders, however if you have iTunes set to manage your library, iTunes will tidy this up when adding the songs. Hope that helps.

True, forgot about Elements, only about £70 or so too.

Cleaned the throttle body at the weekend - wasn't bad from the intake side but at the manifold end it was pretty black. Used Finish Line citrus degreaser that I've had for years, worked well. So I haven't noticed a massive difference, but with the recent service and missing N80 valve replaced, overall it's driving well - starting fine, feels quick (for me!). Idle still isn't quite settled (though not as bad), and I still have the rev on gear change issue, so think that points to the throttle pedal as I thought. Also, when I had the pedal down while cleaning the TB, it was twitching slightly in the open position which would make me think the problem's a faulty/dirty contact in the pedal assembly (not uncommon I gather from other threads). Didn't seem to need an adaptation from VCDS (which I haven't been able to get working with my eBay cable yet anyway), though if things aren't quite right still after cleaning/replacing the pedal, will maybe get my local auto spark to do it if necessary.

I get annoyed with some sellers being awkward about shipping to NI. I know that for some things (large/heavy stuff especially), Royal Mail isn't ideal and some couriers charge a fortune, but there's normally a way of sending at a reasonable rate. It's the ones that refuse flat out and don't even reply to messages that get me - especially when they're sending via Royal Mail anyway! There's a seller in particular I was wanting to buy some clips from - shipping method RM24 (the same service I get stuff sent from a business supplier of mine every week for £1.20) - £20! If I can get something sent from anywhere in the EU or China to NI at a reasonable cost, there's no excuse from mainland UK. Really grinds my gears!

Good to see someone else on here with a Fabia 2.0! Hope you can get your cat problem sorted. The AZL was shared with the Seat Ibiza and Cordoba, so they might be worth a look to see if any exhaust parts are the same. Also, have you tried any breaker search sites like http://www.247spares.co.uk?

Welcome Mike! Wouldn't mind a 4x4 Superb one day, great car I gather.

Spark plugs done!

Had a look at the MAF - found that one of my security bits worked with the proprietary VAG screws (2 prong 6mm): Had a look and the MAF sensor looked pretty clean, so just fitted it again (was going to try and clean the housing but was having trouble getting it off and presumably it's the sensor that's the important bit). Managed to break the screwdriver bit putting one of the screws back in though! It's mostly there, enough to keep the sensor in place, should probably replace the screws at some point. Hopefully will get TB and/or spark plugs done later.