andyoctavia

There is a bit of judder when you pull away, but no noises to speak of when you are on the move, apart from a definite vibration/oscillation feeling which I noticed last night, when you depress the clutch pedal to change gear. No engine shake, very smooth until I try to accelerate under load (even up a slight hill), and not confined to any particular gear. Andy Ps. I had the cambelt and water pump changed last week, but that couldn't be the problem could it - timing related. It was done by a mechanic I know (ex VAG) using genuine parts, and he is used to working on these vehicles.

Cheers, unfortunately it was a private sale, and did not exhibit any of these symptoms when I test drove it, or during the 700 miles which I have done in it. Andy

No, built up residential street, cars parked both sides, and I would have gone down at 30, but the loud noise knind of put me off. Anyway, took it out tonight and returned 10 minutes later. I didn't get over 40mph because the car started growling loudly at me - lots of noise, when I accelerated gently up the hill on the main road - I eased off and it stopped - accelerated again in 4th and it started again. I have done nearly 700 miles in the car, and it hasn't made any noise - been very quiet actually, quieter than I would have imagined a diesel to be. I have had quite a few cars in the past, and would not call myself a "slow" driver, but I do have some sense of "mechanical sympathy" (I have rebuilt cylinder heads and the like), and I have not heard anything like this before. The sound is definitely happening when the engine is under any kind of load. There is a bit of vibration through the clutch pedal when I am driving - do not ride the clutch but tried depressing it a few times on the move. Help! Andy

Just giving this a quick bump, because I am really worried about the car now.

So, I have had the car for a couple of weeks now, and it has been quiet and smooth, until today. I had got home after a 20 minute trip back down the motorway, turned into my road, and put it into third for the 25mph drive to my house, and there was suddenly a loudish rubbing noise from underneath the front of the car. So, I eased off a little and changed down, and the noise disappeared. I then sped up and changed back to third, and the noise came back again. I stopped the car, and looked underneath, but everything (undertray) seemed to be in place, and there was nothing fouling the wheels. Could this be the start of DMF problems - something which I have become paranoid about since reading about them.

As the previous owner thought that it was a good idea to fit the wrong size tyres all round to my 1.9Tdi, I thought that I would start this thread to ask what people would recommend as a replacement, bearing in mind that the tyres all have decent amounts of tread on them, and don't do anything silly on braking or in the rain. I know that 195/65/15 is the size to go for, and I have been reading up about Barum tyres (which strangely enough I used to use decades ago for cycle racing - they were brilliant). When you go on other forums, people will say - "Oh you have got to have Toyo Proxes/Yokohama" - but I want them to last, be safe and be quiet. So, come on folks, your suggestions please. Andy

I have just come across this thread, and the symptoms are the same as my car. It does shudder when it is started hot, but not cold. It never shudders when you turn the ignition off. There are no strange sounds from the car/clutch when changing gear or driving or at a standstill, so could this still be the DMF on the way out? If so, then how long does it take to fail, or is that like saying how long is a piece of string? Andy

Cheers Mike, but the starter seems to be working fine, whirring over nicely, and starts the car when cold. I was wondering if there was a problem with fuel evaporation in the injection system (I had an Alfa and BMW which suffered from that) when the car was warm, and also, why there should be a big "clonk" on starting when warm, but not when cold. Andy

This is not really a problem (or at least I hope it isn't), but my car starts first time every time when cold with no fuss. However, if you have been for a run, and it has warmed up, then it seems to be a different matter. My cold starting routine - key in ignition, car out of gear, depress clutch and start car, without using the gas pedal. When starting from warm, the car will not fire unless I press the gas pedal, and then seems to start with a "clonk" despite the fact that the car is out of gear and the clutch pedal depressed. Is this normal for the 1.9 TDi models? Andy

Cheers Silver1011, that is a great help. Just been out there, and I think it is just down to poor contacts, so I have taken the plastic bulb holder out (after disconnecting the black multi plug for the wiring), and given the terminals a once over. I now have both reversing lights and all the rear lights working, but only one fog light. Are there twin foglights on the rear of my model (one for each side) or just the one? The dash bulb warning is still illuminated. Andy

Thanks Andy, not had a chance to spruce it up yet, because we have had a bit of rain here in the "Sarth" (not enough to stop the hosepipe ban though. I will be giving it a good wash and polish as soon as I can manage it, because the paintwork looks quite good - deep metallic brown/red (should look up the colour really). It is very solid, good ride quality and economic so it seems (will know exactly at the next fill up). It pulls really well for a 1.9, not a boy racer car, but plenty of power in top for motorway work. Andy

Hi folks, this is my first venture into the World of Skoda (and diesel cars), and so far I am enjoying it (keeps everything crossed!) I do have a few questions though, which hopefully some of you can answer. I bought the car last week (Octavia 1.9 TDi Classic hatchback, 2005 55 reg, 90K miles, pretty good condition), and factored a few jobs into the price. I have had the cambelt and water pump changed, and my mechanic (ex VAG) has given it the once over. The DMF seems OK at the moment, but I will need the OS/NS CV boots replacing, and all the tyres fairly soon (the previous owner has fitted a complete set of 185/65/15 instead of 195/65/15, they all have good tread but are mismatched). Apart from that, it is solid, brakes smoothly and powerfully in a straight line, feels good on all road surfaces, steering is great and there is loads of room inside. One little niggle - I have the bulb warning light on, and it is the rear NS cluster. The two offset pin bulbs - rear light, reversing light I think) are not lighting up, despite new bulbs. Are there any problem areas on the lighting front, because all the clusters and wiring looks clean, easy to get at and fairly sensible. Cheers, Andy BTW, the fuel economy is impressive, I have done 365 miles since putting £63 of fuel in (43 litres) when I picked it up, and the needle is only just below the half way line.

First of all, I would like to say hi to everyone, as this is my first post (couldn't see a new members intro post). I have only owned my Octavia 1.9 TDi Classic for a week, but already I am impressed with it (first ever diesel as well!). Anyway, back to business, my list of owned cars (since 1982) Triumph Dolomite 1850HL, 2 x MGB GT, Triumph Vitesse 6 (1600) Ford Cortina 1.6 GXL Mk3 BMW 2002 3 x Alfa Romeo Giuliettas (1.6, 1.8, 2.0) BMW 528i (E28 Getrag "reverse" gearbox, LSD) BMW 520i (E34) Ford Mondeo 1.8 Verona (still have it) Mazda 3 1.6 Takara Alfa Romeo GTV coupe 1997 (still have it, trying to renovate it) Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDi Classic Best cars (bikes) driven BMW 528i 2005 Ford Mustang Alfa GTV Kawasaki GPz 900R Harley Davison Sportster