Hi Guys,

Am looking for a bit of direction, and assistance if possible;

I have been looking for a MK2 Octy for quite some time now, and I was "Lucky" enough to find one, from a private seller online. 2006, 35k, 2.0TSFI in good condition. The seller was happy with "Something Smaller, and preferably a Diesel"....I have a Skoda Fabia VRS in excellent condition, done a few more miles but I have never sparred any expense on the vehicle as it is my primary mode of transport getting to and from work - FSH with dealer etc etc...

Anyway - I ask the guy if he would be interested in a part-ex and cash his way, and he was !! Excellent I thought....

I asked him what service history he had, and there was only one stamp in the service book....He did the rest of the servicing himself, and has very little receipts to show what work has been carried out - Due to this, I decided to run a HPI check with RAC and everything checked out fine. next, I decided (due to limited mechanical knowledge myself) to pay for a comprehensive check, carried out by RAC..They were, as you could expect very very through with the check.

The report came back with a few minor issues that were not of huge worry to me, Rear washer not working, a few seals coming away from the boot etc, some small dings and dents....but also came back with afew more "Worrying" statements, that I was hoping you could help follow up for justify for me !?

Firstly - The car was fitted with "Non standard" engine modifications - Namely, a cold air induction kit, which RAC claim was fitted very poorly (Use of cable ties etc). I asked the guy if he could return to factory, but he cant find the pipe that connects the system up - I believe, its simply know as the "Intake Pipe" but correct me if im wrong, does anyone know where to get this part, and how much it costs....I cant find it on the web anywhere !!!! (The seller has the air box, but not the pipe)

Secondly - The RAC were convinced, the car was fitted with a dump valve...The owner, claims categorically not - Is it possible the RAC mechanic could have mistaken the "Sneezing" he described for the Cold Air Induction kit ?

Thirdly - And most worryingly, the RAC report claimed "Slight Oil Leakage at bottom half of engine." When I spoke with the mechanic, he said it was not a leak however there system is very strict and only allows him to enter oil leak, or no oil leak and as there was signs of oil he had to note it down - He said it could be related to the turbo, and he didn't see it has a huge problem (He told me it was more of a misting). He told me it wasnt leaking, and there were no visable drops of oil and it was most likley to do with oil going into the Turbo.....is this possible, or should I be more worried ?

The guy from the RAC told me unofficially that he didn't believe the car had been mechanically abused, and the majority of the checks were fine. The engine mod's do worry me, as well as the lack of "official" or "Documented" servicing. The low mileage has meant that a cambelt has not been fitted either even though its over 4 years old (Something Ive accepted I need to get done with a major service as a minimum) - Can anyone give me any tips or guidance on the above questions !?

Thanks in advance for your help....

-Vinny-

These cars don't have a "dump valve" as its a closed system (not atmosphere venting) the noise was probably the divert valve through the CAI, I won't worry about the CAI either too much, just have a good look and see if there was a good reason for the cable ties, I use them to hold my heat wrap onto my EVOMs (intake). If he has the airbox, then thats good as it the expensive part, the pipes are easier to get hold of.

As far as the servicing goes, the car might have only had one or two due to the millage but it will need its cambelt doing, as its advised to replace every 4 years or 60K but you know that.

Not sure about the mist.

Hi Guys,

Am looking for a bit of direction, and assistance if possible;

I have been looking for a MK2 Octy for quite some time now, and I was "Lucky" enough to find one, from a private seller online. 2006, 35k, 2.0TSFI in good condition. The seller was happy with "Something Smaller, and preferably a Diesel"....I have a Skoda Fabia VRS in excellent condition, done a few more miles but I have never sparred any expense on the vehicle as it is my primary mode of transport getting to and from work - FSH with dealer etc etc...

Anyway - I ask the guy if he would be interested in a part-ex and cash his way, and he was !! Excellent I thought....

I asked him what service history he had, and there was only one stamp in the service book....He did the rest of the servicing himself, and has very little receipts to show what work has been carried out - Due to this, I decided to run a HPI check with RAC and everything checked out fine. next, I decided (due to limited mechanical knowledge myself) to pay for a comprehensive check, carried out by RAC..They were, as you could expect very very through with the check.

The report came back with a few minor issues that were not of huge worry to me, Rear washer not working, a few seals coming away from the boot etc, some small dings and dents....but also came back with afew more "Worrying" statements, that I was hoping you could help follow up for justify for me !?

Firstly - The car was fitted with "Non standard" engine modifications - Namely, a cold air induction kit, which RAC claim was fitted very poorly (Use of cable ties etc). I asked the guy if he could return to factory, but he cant find the pipe that connects the system up - I believe, its simply know as the "Intake Pipe" but correct me if im wrong, does anyone know where to get this part, and how much it costs....I cant find it on the web anywhere !!!! (The seller has the air box, but not the pipe)

Secondly - The RAC were convinced, the car was fitted with a dump valve...The owner, claims categorically not - Is it possible the RAC mechanic could have mistaken the "Sneezing" he described for the Cold Air Induction kit ?

Thirdly - And most worryingly, the RAC report claimed "Slight Oil Leakage at bottom half of engine." When I spoke with the mechanic, he said it was not a leak however there system is very strict and only allows him to enter oil leak, or no oil leak and as there was signs of oil he had to note it down - He said it could be related to the turbo, and he didn't see it has a huge problem (He told me it was more of a misting). He told me it wasnt leaking, and there were no visable drops of oil and it was most likley to do with oil going into the Turbo.....is this possible, or should I be more worried ?

The guy from the RAC told me unofficially that he didn't believe the car had been mechanically abused, and the majority of the checks were fine. The engine mod's do worry me, as well as the lack of "official" or "Documented" servicing. The low mileage has meant that a cambelt has not been fitted either even though its over 4 years old (Something Ive accepted I need to get done with a major service as a minimum) - Can anyone give me any tips or guidance on the above questions !?

Thanks in advance for your help....

-Vinny-

hi mate

my dad works for rac in the north east and iv used him a couple of times the system doesnt really allow for fudge factors but thats what you have just paid for .

The air box pipe peanuts in costs and youll make your money back in seconds selling the air filter thats fitted on flee bay

the oil leak get it taken to skoda for advice and show them the rac report and see what they say

but for me i have been burnt twice sadly by people saying they have serviced cars there self and they was lemons if thats the car you want then get a major service belts the lot done however if there is another car around for slightly a bit more have another look at that one

Private seller BIG risk mate, no guarantee. There's no shortage of these cars for sale and good prices available On petrol models. It's a lot of money why not shop arOund. Try the dealers as prices are not that much higher plus the extra buys you a warranty. U will also no doubt get a service and belt change if required. Plus they will part ex the Fabia.....

Hi Chaps,

Thus far thanks for the advice - In all honesty, he was giving me a good price for my car in part-Ex....Which is why I saw this as a viable option. Furthermore, the car has only covered 35k which is ultimatley the pulling factor for me....Low miles, and a good trade in, leaving me not much to pay....

Ive told the guy that before I consider anything I want a basic filter/Oil change (Simply for the journey home, about 3 hours) and I will then get a major service, and the cambelt done when its back here...

VRserious - Do you have any idea of the part number of the pipe, or where I can get one...And also, what the heck is a CAI !?

If anyone can quantify the RAC guys stamement of the oil misitng, that would be awesome - He really did tell me he didnt believe it was out of place for the miles covered and the general integrity of the vehicle - And told me in his opinion it was nothing to worry about - I do get the feeling, these RAC 2nd hand checks involve alot of checking, and an equal amount of ass-covering from the guys that conduct them....

-Vinny-

Edited 12 June, 201115 yr by vinny1511

I agree with vrsbilly,there are plenty of these to look at on the market & the lack of service history is a big no no to me,i service my own cars when they are out of warrenty(im a mechanic) but i keep every invoice to show what was done & at what date & mileage.Id personally walk away from this one but its up to you.

Its ok saying its only done 35k but with no documented service history how can you be sure of this,id check previous mot's for mileage but it could of done big miles before its 1st mot then clocked & you have no way of knowing.

He will give you a good deal as your car with full service history is a much better car than one the same age with no service history.

A CAI is a cold air intake I do wish when people reply to peoples questions they use plain English, :and a dump valve/diverter valve are the same thing, except the 1st one sounds more chavvy and you can have more boost. get the air intake pipe from the dealer, it will not be expensive, the plastic engine cover is £ 185 ! Personally I would not buy any car without documented receipts. Servicing a car diy is fine if he has receipts but without it is just his say so , all the best :yes:

Diverter valve/ dump valve explained here http://www.streetracersonline.com/articles/turbo/bov.php

Any chance you could put some of the reg plate up. Maybe someone will recognise the car and can give you more information.

e.g. a blue Octy vRS S3* VRS or H*06 ABZ is my old one that was stolen recovered and had done over 40k 2 1/2 years ago. It had an EVOMS and a Forge DV which could confuse a RAC man for example.

Servicing your own car is fine, I do too, but not keeping receipts (i.e. proof) to use come resale time is either down to:

1) The owner being a bit stupid.

2) The work never actually being carried out.

Both of these reasons would be enough to put me right off, as others have said there are plenty of better examples out there. If your Fabia vRS is as nice as it sounds you'll have plenty of interest if sold privately.

Walk away and keep looking would be my advice.

If you buy the car, get a warranty from someone like Warranty direct, it's about £32 a month for my Octavia vRS and it covert virtually everything.

1/ If the RAC guy stated that the mods have been done poorly , then that would make me think that the current owners working standards are not particularly high and consequently his DIY servicing may be of the same poor quality .

2/ If the guy is knowledgable enough to carry out DIY servicing he may also be aware how to clock it or get it clocked , do you see proof of mileage ?

3/ If its been modded then the guy has been using the performance and possibly thrashing it , we dont mod cars just for looks do we ?.

4/ If he is very compliant on the deal WHY?, the Octy is a good seller .

Personally i would walk away and find a car with a more documented history , performance cars are bought with a view to using that performance this makes the correct servicing all the more important to achieve reliabilty and longevity ,with the info you have given i would have doubts about this one .

Don't rule it put completely, Ask yourself how does the car look, does it look abused? Also look at the owner you can often tell a lot about a car from the owners attitude.

I personally wouldn't use zip ties for an intake but there you go...

These cars can take a lot of abuse, as long it's not been run low on oil. If hpi checked out fine mileage should be ok but old MOTs would be good to confirm. As for servicing if it has one stamp that should have been done at around 20K for long life so at 35k if no other service has been carried out it's still not beyond the max mileage for the next service. I know time is a factor with the servicing but there you go.

Most importantly use your instinct if it feels dodgy leave it.

A CAI is a cold air intake I do wish when people reply to peoples questions they use plain English, :and a dump valve/diverter valve are the same thing, except the 1st one sounds more chavvy and you can have more boost. get the air intake pipe from the dealer, it will not be expensive, the plastic engine cover is £ 185 ! Personally I would not buy any car without documented receipts. Servicing a car diy is fine if he has receipts but without it is just his say so , all the best :yes:

Diverter valve/ dump valve explained here http://www.streetrac...s/turbo/bov.php

"dump valve/diverter valve are the same thing" got to be careful as they do a simlair job but in different ways

Dump valves are fitted to the engines of (usually older) turbo charged cars and sit between the turbo outlet and the throttle body. When transitioning from a boosted state to a closed throttle state (as in between shifts), due to inertia, the turbo continues to pressurize air, but the closed throttle prevents the compressed air from entering the engine. In this case the pressure exceeds the preset spring pressure in the dump valve and the excess pressure is bled off to atmosphere.

Even with a dump valve the compressed air acts as a brake on the turbo (slowing it down), because the pressure on the backside of the turbo is at a higher pressure than on the front side (and the air actually wants to flow through the turbo backwards).

A blowoff valve is a more elegant solution to this problem by allowing the turbo to "freewheel" when the throttle is closed (equalizing the pressure on both sides of the turbo). Unlike a dump valve a blowoff valve can be used at multiple boost settings without reconfiguration.

Blowoff valves are sometimes incorrectly called dump valves because they serve a similar function, however they are very different solutions to the same problem.