I was removing the black block from the top of the o/side front strut carefully (or so I thought) when I heard a little click, never thought anything of it at the time as I was more interested in getting in to the strut top to check the bolts for tightness. I have been trying to track down a clattering noise for weeks now, I have done the ARB bushes, the drop links and a chap who was recommended to me by a mate and is a Skoda / VW tech has checked out the console bushes and front wishbone bushes and proclaimed them fairly new, replaced within the last six months at the outside so now I'm down to desperate measures.

Anyway, I digress, back to the black box, number five connector which runs to the black ball (dump valve?) at the front of the engine has broken off. (Sorry for the lack of knowledge as to what is the proper names for each thing, every day is a school day after all).

What I would like to know is, will it cause any damage to drive the car 18 miles to the garage to get it seen to?

Can the plug be bought separately and replaced?

I have tried to repair the part but don't have the correct type of adhesive to join this type of plastic.

I found some numbers on the part which looks like part numbers, the first is 6Q0 131 075 and the second is 038 131 051 AA. If the part can be obtained it looks well within my capabilities to do it myself or am I missing something here?

Thanks for any replies in advance.

Edited 1 July, 201213 yr by Coffin Dodger

The only Google reference to either of those numbers is http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/31311-anyone-got-a-price-for-this-part-please/ - ring a dealer and ask?

Hi there, I noticed that you have an annoying noise from which I presume you think is coming from the top strut mounts.... I had this noise and was drivIng me mad and like you a replaced a lot of parts trying to resolve it but with no joy !!! An easy suggestion for you to try and will cost you nothing and worked for me is open your bonnet and look at the bonnet hinges... You will see two bolts which bolt the boonet to the hinge and also 2 black plastic blocks "approx 10mm x. 20mm in size" just to the sides of the two bolts. Turn these blocks through 90 degrees to remove them and then go try your car again without them in ... It solved all my troubles I could not believe it !!! Would never have believed these two blocks could have caused the noise I was experiencing. Give it a try as it takes about a minute... Hope this helps you out let me know if it does.. Neil.

I have managed to get a copy of Etka, sadly in Russian though and that number has changed to 038 131 051 BH so it looks promising David, thanks!

Hi there, I noticed that you have an annoying noise from which I presume you think is coming from the top strut mounts.... I had this noise and was drivIng me mad and like you a replaced a lot of parts trying to resolve it but with no joy !!! An easy suggestion for you to try and will cost you nothing and worked for me is open your bonnet and look at the bonnet hinges... You will see two bolts which bolt the boonet to the hinge and also 2 black plastic blocks "approx 10mm x. 20mm in size" just to the sides of the two bolts. Turn these blocks through 90 degrees to remove them and then go try your car again without them in ... It solved all my troubles I could not believe it !!! Would never have believed these two blocks could have caused the noise I was experiencing. Give it a try as it takes about a minute... Hope this helps you out let me know if it does.. Neil.

Thanks Neil, I will go and take them off right now and as soon as I find out if it is safe to drive the car I will test it and see.

I hope this is the problem because the noise has been driving me mad plus I've spent more than I wanted or needed to on trying to fix it, I'll let you know, thanks again Neil!

there are 2 clips that hold the hose assembly to the black box

if you look just above where the hoses join you will see the part numbeer for the assembly

it is about £35, all pipes are easy to change, except the one to the turbo accutator, (come up from below and it is not to bad to get to)

the black ball you refer to is i believe the vacuum reservoir, so without that you will lose some or all of the vacuum in the system, so possibly lose boost from turbo, and anything else cotrolled off the valve block, also the vacuum feed comes just before the no retrun valve to your brake servo, it will possibly have an effect on the level of assistance on the brakes, have they been heavier since you brock the pipe?

there are 2 clips that hold the hose assembly to the black box

if you look just above where the hoses join you will see the part numbeer for the assembly

it is about £35, all pipes are easy to change, except the one to the turbo accutator, (come up from below and it is not to bad to get to)

the black ball you refer to is i believe the vacuum reservoir, so without that you will lose some or all of the vacuum in the system, so possibly lose boost from turbo, and anything else cotrolled off the valve block, also the vacuum feed comes just before the no retrun valve to your brake servo, it will possibly have an effect on the level of assistance on the brakes, have they been heavier since you brock the pipe?

After reading your post I took it for a spin around the block and you were correct about it not having as much get up and go as normal and the brakes did feel a little different, not as responsive, but still good enough to drive carefully.

The part number I got off of the part has been superseded so, I will be back at TPS tomorrow then, not as bad as I thought it was going to be

Thanks for your help!

Edited 1 July, 201213 yr by Coffin Dodger

Thanks Neil, I will go and take them off right now and as soon as I find out if it is safe to drive the car I will test it and see.

I hope this is the problem because the noise has been driving me mad plus I've spent more than I wanted or needed to on trying to fix it, I'll let you know, thanks again Neil!

Neil if you are ever in Ayrshire I will buy you a pint!

Chattering noise problem solved, and when I think of my poor bloody (literally) knuckles, and the money spent un-necessarily and time wasted where I could have been doing something else (keeping the wife happy for example) I owe you big time! Thanks Fella!

Glad I could help bud.... Hate to see people not enjoying their vrs !!!! If I am in your area I'll take that pint !!!! Allow the best .... Neil.

After reading your post I took it for a spin around the block and you were correct about it not having as much get up and go as normal and the brakes did feel a little different, not as responsive, but still good enough to drive carefully.

The part number I got off of the part has been superseded so, I will be back at TPS tomorrow then, not as bad as I thought it was going to be

Thanks for your help!

i broke the one to the turbo itself, changing the pipe with the non return valve in due to issues with it sticking and losing assistance intermitently

you might get the old EML flash at you, if you do it is stop the engine and restart to get back to sort of normal, this will be due to the ECU not seeing the correct boost from the turbo, if you get the car scanned i dont think it shows up unless the EML is flashing when it is scanned

the connector coming of the none return valve is small enough that you should not lose total vacuum for the brake servo ,

but be very aware of it and get it fixed asap.

i broke the one to the turbo itself, changing the pipe with the non return valve in due to issues with it sticking and losing assistance intermitently

you might get the old EML flash at you, if you do it is stop the engine and restart to get back to sort of normal, this will be due to the ECU not seeing the correct boost from the turbo, if you get the car scanned i dont think it shows up unless the EML is flashing when it is scanned

the connector coming of the none return valve is small enough that you should not lose total vacuum for the brake servo ,

but be very aware of it and get it fixed asap.

The brakes still work perfectly well, there is just a difference in finesse, however you were right about the EML coming on plus the car seems to have gone into limp mode as there is now no get up and go at all.

I've ordered the new connector and pipes from TPS today and they will be here tomorrow. Will the EML need to be put out by a dealer or someone with vag com or will it go out as soon as the system is up to speed after the new part has been fitted?

Edited 2 July, 201213 yr by Coffin Dodger

the EML will go out on its own, once the pipe has been replaced and it senses everything back to normal

Car now restored to full function, Ye-Ha!

Can't believe so much crap happening just before my holidays. Especially when I was intending to use the car so much.

P.S. Parts now up to £41 and that's with the special mates rates discount! :S

Edited 3 July, 201213 yr by Coffin Dodger

Was this the vacuum control unit that you broke? With all the vacuum pipes coming from it?

Mine is also broken. The pipe for the anti shudder valve.

I have ordered a new one from Seat garage. £36 I've been told. Which uncludes all the vacuum pipes.

Phil

Was this the vacuum control unit that you broke? With all the vacuum pipes coming from it?

Mine is also broken. The pipe for the anti shudder valve.

I have ordered a new one from Seat garage. £36 I've been told. Which uncludes all the vacuum pipes.

Phil

Not the actual unit just the plug section with the clips on and all the pipes. Mine came from TPS, my mate had to order it in for me from VAG main stores as he didn't have one in stock. Part number is 038 131 051 BH, RRP £39.44, discounted price £33.92 + VAT

perhaps yours is slightly different as it's off a Cordoba and that's why it's cheaper?

Edited 3 July, 201213 yr by Coffin Dodger

Yes it's just that bit that's broken on mine.

It depends what year your car is. If it's a BLT engine then it could be different. If it's ASZ like mine then it should be identical.

Also thinking about it that price I have is ex. VAT I think.

Phil