Hi folks

I'm new here.

We just bought our first Skoda - a 2008 (57) Octavia Elegance Estate 2.0TDi. It was bought from a non-franchise dealer. Mileage was pretty high for the age at 97,000 but the car looks immaculate and has full Skoda history. We've added a few miles with a road trip to Holland.

Anyway, we've had a couple of occasions when this fault presents itself. The water temp/pressure light comes on and a warning beep sounds. On all occasions when it has happened, and it isn't every time we start the engine, we are able to resolve it by switching off the ignition and then restarting. It usually happens to the wife but when it happened to me I got out and checked the water level and it was spot on between the max/min. I think I'm right in saying it's only ever happened on a first start of the day, but not every first start of the day.

Wondered if anyone could suggest a possible cause and solution?

The car is still under warranty from the dealer, but they are a good few miles away and getting there on a weekday would be a little tricky. In hindsight, that's something I should have considered more when buying.

Thanks

Rich

Probably a sensor - a few problems around sensors causing fault lights. A computer check with the VAG software will show what the sensor has been up to and allow a very quick fix. A non-francjised dealer may well have the software but will have access via other garages who do. Most garages have the relevant software for modern cars - without these they couldn't fault find on any modern car.

Ta.

I've checked the level this morning when the engine was cold. I looked in the reservoir for any obvious signs of contamination, but nothing. The only thing I can think of, other than a sensor issue, is that the reservoir lid wasn't screwed on tightly so perhaps it's a pressure issue. We'll see if I've resolved that.

Regarding the VAG software.....I've seen the kits that you can buy to get the readouts from the car. I wonder if that's a useful investment for the future so I can check faults myself and carry out and initial fixes before involving garages?

BUMP.....

This warning has been persistent throughout the autumn/winter. Seems to occur only when the car is starting from cold and usually when there's moisture (rain, fog, dew etc.) on the car.

The water level is fine and the coolant quality seems to be OK. There's no noticable impact on the way the car drives. If I can be bothered I switch the engine off and try again after a few seconds. It usually takes 3 or 4 repeats before the warning stays off.

I'm making it a priority to get the car plugged in to check what the sensors say, but wondered if there had been anyone else with a similar experience since my last post.

Try topping the level to the max before the engine heats up and components expand and cause the level to drop.

Edited 2 January, 201214 yr by 07 vRS Taxi

Could just be crud on the sensors in the header tank.

If it gets frustrating, there are quite a few members on here who have the VCDS software and leads who would do a scan for you in exchange for beer tokens.

Ian

Thanks for the input chaps. I've attempted to make contact with a member who owns VCDS software so hopefully that will assist.

Update. Borrowed an Autel VAG305 device today to try and read the fault codes. http://www.auteltech.com/vag305.htm

The device has 4 menu options to scan 4 different systems - Engine, A/T, SRS and ABS.

Engine, SRS and ABS returned no codes. A/T took a while to scan and as soon as the progress monitor reached 100% (5 black blocks) it showed "LINKING ERROR!".

So, what does A/T mean? Could it be Automatic Transmission? In which case the linking error could be because my car is manual?

Either way, I'd expect a water pressure/temp fault to show up on the Engine scan. I think this needs to go to Skoda for investigation.

Either way, I'd expect a water pressure/temp fault to show up on the Engine scan.

Faults will only show up on a scan if there is a fault code stored. The reason no fault code has come up here is because the car thinks it is correctly warning you of excessive engine temperature - it doesn't know its wrong!

Thats why something like VCDS that can read live data can be much more useful than a simple code reader in these situations. With live data you would be able to look at the readings from the engine temp sensor to see if they looked realistic for example.

I'm not sure I follow. It doesn't matter though because what you're telling me is that I need to use VCDS to check the live data, which is effectively what a decent garage would do so I may was well book it in.

Thanks for the input chaps. I've attempted to make contact with a member who owns VCDS software so hopefully that will assist.

http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_GDVAGPRO.html

I have just received mine it works a treat

Try filling the bottle up to the max line as the sensor becomes dry and thinks the bottle is low,give the cap a good clean on the inside, thats all I did to rectify mine

http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_GDVAGPRO.html

I have just received mine it works a treat

That still won't read live data though will it?? If he's scanned it with the borrowed Autel and no codes have come up I think you would get exactly the same result with that. Faults like this often don't generate a fault code unless a sensor has gone way out of spec.

I'd try cleaning the metal prongs of the level sensor in the header tank. The warning light can come on for either water level or temp (not pressure btw) and corrosion on the metal pronged sensor is quite a common cause of this.

Indeed.

I'd rather take it to a proper garage with people who know more than me and have proper kit.

Sorry to sound so negative skippy41, I'm glad the unit works for your needs.

Indeed.

I'd rather take it to a proper garage with people who know more than me and have proper kit.

Sorry to sound so negative skippy41, I'm glad the unit works for your needs.

There arnt many proper techs around these days I was always forced to fix it myself instead of them fixing something that wasnt broke and still having the same fault and then saying 'oh well that part needed replacing anyway lol im now qualified to level 3 and have never looked back.

If you're qualified then others must be too, otherwise the qualifications wouldn't exist.

Good on you though I'd love to do it but it's beyond my means in the near future to be able to do it. I do brake pads, oil changes, spark plugs (not on this car obviously) and fitted the tow bar on this which was no mean feat, but to have the tools and knowledge required plus the confidence just isn't going to happen.

Perhaps if I could get hold of VCDS to give me some readings I'd be able to diagnose and fix the fault.

If you're qualified then others must be too, otherwise the qualifications wouldn't exist.

Good on you though I'd love to do it but it's beyond my means in the near future to be able to do it. I do brake pads, oil changes, spark plugs (not on this car obviously) and fitted the tow bar on this which was no mean feat, but to have the tools and knowledge required plus the confidence just isn't going to happen.

Perhaps if I could get hold of VCDS to give me some readings I'd be able to diagnose and fix the fault.

Thanks mate I actually enjoy doing it I plan to open a VAG specialist in the summer. My opinion on your fault is the coolant level sensor, You may get away with draining the fluid, removing the tank and giving it a good wash out. If not fitting a new tank will work...good luck!