Hi all, new member here.

I apologise for this post as im sure the info is on here somewhere, but was hoping for some reminders from you guys.

I cant afford to pay a mechanic £50 p/h, when i feel i can do most of it myself.

My octavia (1.9tdi mk1) has 175,000 miles on the clock now, and its really looked after me.

I have replaced the pollen filter, and i'll be booking it in soon for a cam-belt change.

Im going to buy some wheel ramps so i can change the oil and filter.

I believe i also need to replace the air filter too, check the steering fluid and break fluid, but do i need to replace those, or just need to check them? It does need a full service really, but im trying to cut costs and only do whats really important.

What other things do i need to replace?

*oil

*oil filter

*air filter

I think thats the most important things isnt it?

Thanks in advance for any pointers you can give

Has the cambelt been done in the last 4 years?

Has the cambelt been done in the last 4 years?

No, and its done a 100k on one belt. I know im pushing my luck, which is why im booking it in asap

Have you record of when the fuel filter was last changed?

That might be worth doing as well.

do the fuel filter and gearbox oil while you are at it, and check your front arb bushes as these are known to perish

I believe I also need to replace the air filter too, check the steering fluid and brake fluid, but do I need to replace those, or just need to check them? It does need a full service really, but I'm trying to cut costs and only do what's really important.

Brake fluid change is every two years. Definately worth doing as it make the brake pedal firm again. If you do it yourself you will need a pressure bleeding kit (most use air pressure from the spare tyre). Don't use the old way of opening up a brake nipple and pushing on the brake pedal as this causes the pedal to go further down than normal and WILL damage the piston seal in the master cylinder. You actually don't need to change all the fluid - just the fluid that gets hot near the brakes. Make sure you don't allow air in at the master cylinder or you may need to find someone to run the ABS pump through VAGCOM software to expel air trapped in the system.

I change mine every two years and I notice the difference in brake efficiency, although some people say it makes little difference.

Hi all, new member here.

I cant afford to pay a mechanic £50 p/h, when i feel i can do most of it myself.

That's going back a few years and wishful thinking. If you can find one at this

price hold on to him and let us all know.

Thanks guys for your great help. Maybe i could come here again should i have any problems with it? Think i might need advice on gear box oil

£50 p.h may be a low rate, but still too much for me Even if you need to buy tools, you're still saving. When it gets too tough, I just take it to a garage.

Renew Filters:- Oil / Air / Pollen / Fuel

Engine Oil change with new sump plug+copper washer

Check levels:- Steering / Gearbox / Brake Master cylinder / Washer bottle / Battery (if not sealed type)

Lubricate:- Hinges / Door-locks / Door restraint runners / Sunroof runners / Bonnet release and Tail-gate mechanism

Check:- Wipers for shredding / Tyre pressure, depth and for even wear, including spare

Check:- *Skoda garage peers through wheel openings for Brake pad thickness / exhaust supports,straps or leaking exhaust system

This is the bulk of a service, all well within a DIY perimeter.

My 2005 Fabia VRS required a splined socket for the gear-box, which has two separate splined plugs.(One for level+refilling the other for draining the gear-box.)

Every two years bleed brake system via bleed nipples on back of each of the 4 wheels, get yourself a kit with a one-way valve+ jam jar, so then it's possible to do it yourself.

Once you you have purchased the necessary oils and greases, I find that some will also cover the next service too. ie White grease, gearbox oil, power steering oil.

* Skoda informed me they do not remove the road wheels Front + Rear to check brake pad thickness but do peer through spokes of road wheel*

Splined gear-box socket via E-Bay, as is all my filters, greases and engine oil.

Gear-box + Power Steering oils purchased from Skoda.

Good Luck

Thanks giandougl, thats brilliant!

I use the car as a taxi, so it has 3 tests per year and i'll find out any problems under the car or engine. That just about covers it then, thanks. I gotta be saving myself a hundred do you think? Do people still believe in haynes? have they covered the octavia? Nevermind, i can look it up myself. Thanks again, much appreciated to all.

Your car is covered by Haynes, http://www.haynes.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=15185&langId=-1