Hi,

I've just come back to Skoda's and have bought a 52 plate 4x4 hatch, I have two issues,

1. Bouncy ride at speed, the car seems very heavy, and as such seems under damped at the front mainly, I am not one for after market bits, but what's people's experience of OE dampers / springs on a car like this, I see a few posts where people say that the cars tend to be under damped anyway, surely this is just exaggerated on a 48k car that's 6 years old? advice-

And

2. My air doesn't chill, the gas level is fine, all seems ok but when off econ there is a hiss, kind of metallic and from the passenger foot well, any of you peeps had similar, save me the diagnostic route and straight to the new parts route?

Thanks in advance.

I drive an 05 vRS estate which apparently has stiffer/sportier suspension as standard but I would agree that the front is under damped. Next month i'm having the ARB bushes replaced for Audi TT items to see if this helps. I am reluctant to go for after market shocks and springs because speed bumps seem to be breeding where I live. I do find however that if I drive the car more aggressively the chassis responds very well and reacts too my input, turns in much faster and feels less lazy.

Sounds like your AC may have a leak or the compressor isnt performing as it should. Perhaps your local dealer could test it for you.

Edited 21 April, 200917 yr by DGW
Quote deleted.

After market doesn't have to mean lower

After market doesn't have to mean lower

Granted, and I would be seeking firmer not lower anyway, I bought the 4x4 for a reason, obviously it's not going mud plugging, but it will venture off the black stuff frequently, especially when towing my trailer that transports my SJ to pay and play days..... I'd hate to have to pull the octi off the site with the SJ!

If it's bouncy that is the issue then a set of better shocks is what you probably need. There are two obvious choices (IIRC) which are the Koni FSD and Koni adjustable shocks. I've heard good things about both. Either of these can be used with the standard springs which would leaver your ride height unaffected.

iep

"Too bouncy" -> underdamped -> Koni FSDs with stock springs. Take note; changing the ARB bushes, or even the ARB, will have no effect unless the car is in roll, or hitting a pothole with one side only.

Aircon is faulty. Personally I'd go to an automotive aircon specialist rather than a Skoda dealer to get it fixed. It's likely to be about half the price, and the same OEM parts.

Thanks for the advice thus far guy's.....

Hi Fudge

The ride on the mk1 octy is underdamped, my '02 vRS on 45k used to bounce around at speed - until I had Koni FSDs fitted. I cannot stress how much of an improvement these are, not just the reduction of bodyroll (which is extremely welcome!) but also the general composure of the car at all speeds and over all but the most broken up of surfaces - perhaps initially seeming a little harsher, but far more supple than OEM, and so the overall effect is actually somewhat smoother if you get my drift. And this is on 17" wheels with sports springs. I'd expect a smaller rim and higher ride height, such as on your 4x4, to bring out the 'comfortable' side of the FSDs even further, though perhaps someone with this exact set up will be able to confirm this.

As for the climatronic, it sounds like you may be unlucky with the recirculating flap motor (IIRC, sounds something like that). A lot of people seem to have this problem, rather unfairly with differing results - mine is on the blink (comes up as V71 or V70 I think as a fault code) and makes a kind of metallic whooshing sound every 5 seconds or so, but still blows cold. Others have the same problem and get no cold air... Try searching flap motor or climatronic in the Octavia I forum and you should find others who've posted their experiences.

HTH

Sam

Ah.. I see Ken beat me to it, and far more succinctly to boot!

Actually, if you think it's the recirc flap motor, a few minutes semi-random button pressing on the Climatronic control panel has been know to cure it. It's got to be worth a try.

Nice one, that'll give me something to try out as I sit in traffic picking up my girlfriend from work!