Hello, I'm new to the forum - hopefully I've got the correct place?

Can anybody advise? I have just purchased a 2003 Fabia 1.9TDI, and intend to do my own service (car booked in to have the timing belt and water pump replaced), what should be checked /changed at this point - can I follow the Audi 1.9TDi Haynes manual schedule?

Hello and welcome to this forum.

Have you had you Auxiliary/Fan Belt (Ribbed V-Belt in the service book) changed in the last 4 years. If not get it changed because you need to remove it to get to the timing belt anyway.

Hello,

Might as well change brake fluid, get one-way valve pipe type and a friend to help.

You need a special splined key M16 to undo gearbox level/fill bolt, if like VRS ?

VRS need to remove battery/tray to gain access to power steering filler/dipstick cap.

Afterwards reset one-touch window button and reset radio code found in radio manual inside cover.

All 4 filters and engine oil change easy, no need to bleed fuel system, just crank engine a few times, should start. I filled fuel filter up with diesel, prior to fitting all pipes.

Good-luck.

Ian. 24/06/2009

Thanks for the advice. Looking at the Oil Filter Top Cap tonight it is very very tight, looks to be a 34mm Hex head, is there a special socket available - I don't want to strip the plastic. Also, access to claen the Plenum Chamber, wipers are corroded onto splines, applied WD40 - does anyone have any better ideas. Thanks:)

Thanks for the advice. Looking at the Oil Filter Top Cap tonight it is very very tight, looks to be a 34mm Hex head, is there a special socket available - I don't want to strip the plastic. Also, access to claen the Plenum Chamber, wipers are corroded onto splines, applied WD40 - does anyone have any better ideas. Thanks:)

Hello Airborne,

You will need to get a wiper arm puller to get those wiper arms off their splines, try to get the puller with a hexagon head, (will be easier than the little bar through the head type). as the bar fouls up against the bonnet edge on the drivers side.

Once off and area's cleaned, I used copper based grease before refitting arms back.

To remove the wiper-arm grill, you will need to cut the plastic (Tree clips), as their called, and buy new one's, that secure the wiper grill, and just ease front-ends of grill, out from under plenum chamber rubber seal. Grill length also sits in a groove in the windscreen surround rubber, this simply is pulled outwards carefully and clean groove thoroughly afterwards.

I didn't use the "Tree clips", instead, I slipped a metal self-tapper captive clip over the protruding lug hole, (covered in copper-based grease) then used the "Torx nuts" as their called (sump under-tray self-tappers,) as they got big-heads, once wiper grill is fitted, and secured.

Look-out for each side of plenum chamber where wiring looms emerge from cabin, and you may see a large gap, as I did. I got some mastic sealer and plugged the gap.

This gap could allow washer water or rain etc, to enter the cabin and get you carpets wet, and in turn smell and rot !!

As to the oil filter cap, get a six-sided socket should release the cap, unless last time it was heavy-handed tightened.

I found that once resistance was felt I stopped tightening and kept a close watch for a few miles afterwards, for leakage.

Good-luck. Ian :thumbup:

Edited 24 July, 200916 yr by giandougl