Gaz

That you are getting heat in the car suggests to me that the heater matrix is not blocked (or at least not completely blocked). Heat one side, but stone cold the other is indicative there may be something else going on. Your mechanic needs needs to know, not think, if the silikat bag has split. If he doesn't 'know', this might be an issue. It's relatively easy to tell, and reasonable to expect a mechanic to be able to tell rather than guess. As TC has alluded to, if there's a silicate bag in your coolant header tank, the tank will be marked 'Mit Silikat'. If you take the lid off your header tank and poke a finger in, you should be able to feel the bag, and also tell if it's intact. If I can do it, anyone can. Here's one of the more informative threads on it: An intact bag is very easy to manoeuvre and wriggle out of the tank. There are other versions where the silicate can be inside a double skinned tank - you obviously won't find a silicate bag in one of these. IIRC there have been incidences where what has blocked the matrix is casting sand from when the engine block was made. Not suggesting this is the case here at all, just that it's not always the silicate bag. I had a coolant check valve fault (perhaps similar to the solenoid valves TC is referring to), which stopped all heat to the cabin, and ultimately caused my turbo to grenade itself (no cooling to that either), with a rather costly bill to fix it all. Agreeing with TC and Superb, I'd think this warrants further investigation before replacing a matrix which is clearly bringing some heat into the cabin. Has the car been scanned for fault codes, particularly around warm air delivery? Gaz

I think you're on the right lines. I'd be checking earthing points and straps if it were me - poor earthing preventing the amps getting through, although that it only happens when hot kinda contradicts this. I was trying to find a poor starting problem on a mate's FIAT a few years back. Turned out to be the main earth strap corroded inside its plastic sleeve and not visible. Found after some head scratching by by-passing the strap temporarily with a jump lead. Have it scanned for fault codes? Gaz

Hello and welcome Alan There's a YouTube video of someone changing a heater matrix from the passenger side (UK) footwell with minimal disruption to the rest of the dash. Do you mean changing the water pump? If you do, I believe it's fairly straightforward spanner monkey work. It's eight years since I gave up (mostly) working on my cars (age and flexibility related), but before that I'd be doing it myself. £800 seems a good price for both. What symptoms are you experiencing? Is yours petrol or diesel? There's a sticky thread on diesel water pump issues: Gaz EDIT: Not the one I'm thinking of, but useful nonetheless:

Snap! '99 B5 AFN 110TDI Estate. Sold it to a mate. Five years later I was helping him with a pump timing issue, took it out for a test drive around the block and wondered why on earth I got rid of it! 🙄 G

Only took you twelve and a bit years - you've been here longer than I have! 🤣 G

Mrs Gaz's Polo was fixed under warranty (26/07/2018). This is a very well known and documented issue. Useful other reading here: In particular the post by Atenza, 15 May 2020 (page 13) 'Compliance Recall 37M2'. Part no. 5Q0-713-128-A and TPI 2056031/6 may also be relevant (possibly superseded). Gaz 2060686.3 - Fault Workshop! Leave vehicle only in position P.pdf

Hello and welcome Steve For someone local with VCDS checkout our location map and contact people direct: Eco mode is a waste of time in my experience. Others will disagree. Leave it in normal and nudge it into sport when you feel the need. The cornering lights are more active in sport mode. It is noticeable. Go out in the dark down some windy roads and have a play. You'll soon see the difference. Gaz

I was putting washing away upstairs and noticed the light as the Sun was on its way down. Didn't think to open the window to reduce reflection 🙄 I like late afternoon Winter's Sun: Gaz

Jeez! 😳 A tad unimpressive as a response and level of product knowledge, to say the least. Gaz

Lambo's coming along: Gaz

Aww, my Dad's favourite car was the sister model - his 1980 Mitsubishi Colt Sigma 😎 Gaz

Hello and welcome Matt Gaz

I'm technically the third owner of my car as it was a failed lease contract. I've owned it since it had twenty four miles on the clock. The two previous owners were VW & VWFS. When I took it in for its first service, I was pleasantly surprised that the car came into my possession with a three service plan, already paid for, that I'd had nothing to do with 👍 Gaz

So far as I'm aware, this has always been the case. You decided to pay for a plan, and for the time you were paying for it, that plan was in place. A plan is not an action, it's simply a plan, so the fact that you didn't utilise it in the time that you owned the car is presumably neither here nor there. I don't really understand why you would expect to get a refund. Business rate numbers, such as 0870 have always been expensive. It's why they're called 'premium rate' numbers. Skoda Financial Services also have the 0370 option - 0370 333 4449: https://www.skoda.co.uk/discover/contact-us The CAB are quite helpful with advice about call charges: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/phone-internet-downloads-or-tv/check-how-much-a-call-will-cost/ Gaz

Welcome Gaz

Said the actress to the Bishop, ooo-errrr! 🤣

I've a feeling in the back of my mind that some of the Quantum oils are made by Fuchs. And that Fuchs Titan GT1 LL IV might be the same (or very similar) stuff: https://www.autodoc.co.uk/fuchs/13637012 Recall this from when I had a Mk2 Golf 16v, and found out that Quantum Silver was actually Fuchs Titan in a different dress. Only mentioning this coz I'm showing off that my memory might not be as bad as most people think it is Gaz

Me too. Think I preferred them (Shhh, don't tell Rob) G

Holy thread revival Batman! Three posts in nine years - you go steady there MP, pace yourself 😁 G

I thought of you George, when I was in Weymouth Tesco yesterday as Mr Corsa 1.7 CDTI grappled with his box of Carlsberg in a charging bay (which someone was waiting for): I dunno what was wrong with him, there were plenty of Blue Badge bays he could've abused instead, notwithstanding the car park was perhaps 1/3 full, and awash with free 'ordinary' bays. On the other hand, next to him was Mr I got the dirtiest Zoe and can't park straight, who had the right idea as he put his car on charge, got his new Brompton Sparticle out of the boot and went off for a ride: I do find supermarket car parks quite entertaining at times. Gaz

I'm sorry to report that three of my local VAG main dealers all get up to this kind of shenanigans. Not just them though, an MOT only place I use failed a previous car for front brake pads being 'below 1.5mm', when all four were above 3mm. I changed the pads anyway to save any further argument, but took the old ones in just to embarrass them. Sad fact of life I'm afraid. Gaz EDIT: Just found my post from last September in the 'What annoyed you?' thread: 'The Polo's in for an MOT & service today. VW 'strongly advise'.... 'urgent' work required as the rear brake pads are down to '... 4mm, and 80% worn'. Comment made about the discs being 'scored', but when I last looked at them (last week due to a puncture) there was nothing untoward and just expected wear. £320 quoted for discs and pads, and £974 to replace the thermostat housing, which has some 'residue', but is '..not actively leaking..' - we've not had to top up the coolant at all in five years of ownership, and this is the third year that residue (same amount) has been an advisory 🙄'

If it only starts around 60mph, could it be a wind noise? Does it change according to revs or gears? Is it still there when you open windows? (possibly hard to confirm at 60!). Does it change on overrun, decelerating, braking, cornering? Gaz

Maybe we could have a Banned Leaver Log, to compliment the Banned User Log 😁 The 'Oh, no you don't' list, aka the 'Hang on just one doggone minute/sonny Jim' feature. Taking a break sounds a much better option 👍 G

Seriously? 😳 Illegitimi non carborundum! Gaz

Hello & welcome Jo Nice looking Mk3, in the right colour too 😎 Gaz