So, out of sheer curiosity just now, I decided to take a closer look under my bonnet at a couple of things, fluid levels and such . . . And I see this at the front left of the engine, I presume it is the alternator belt? But either way, it is fraying on one side. I also presume that that isn't a good thing of course

Next, as I get a bit of smoke on even sometimes moderate throttle, I thought I would check the air filter for being dirty. When I took the cover off, this is how the filter looked . . .

Now, whether it's responsible for any smoke I don't know, but it can't be doing me any good being in that state!!

I should also point out, I bought this off my dad who had only had it a few weeks himself, and assumed he had checked things over a bit more thoroughly.

Oh wow... That Belt needs replacing and the tensioners checked, They usually wear on one side if there is a failing tensioner/Pulley kicking the belt off to one side!

That filter looks like it has failed badly, Is it all there? I hope it is or its gone into your engine!

If the filter was blocked that badly maybe it sucked it apart!

Adam

All the filter appears to be there, just basically folded up on the back underneath so it has raised up.

Bloody tensioners/pulleys on the alternator belt, the T4 I sold to buy this VRS had that issue too :think:

Agreed. Get a new tensioner and alternator pulley with the new belt. I just replaced mine at 163K. Cost £70 approx, but £28 was for the tool for the alternator pulley removal (it's a star within a star), so you may not need the tool. Got my bits from CES in Chester. I was told by Europarts that it wasn't possible to buy just the pulley - I needed a new alternator; the ***tards!

If you want to borrow the tool, no problem if you pay the postage - just pm.

I thought that was the timing belt that was in the photo. Would be closer to £300 to get it changed

no the timing belt is near there under a black plastic cover

If the filter and be;t is that that, id be giving it a full decent service

Agreed. Get a new tensioner and alternator pulley with the new belt. I just replaced mine at 163K. Cost £70 approx, but £28 was for the tool for the alternator pulley removal (it's a star within a star), so you may not need the tool. Got my bits from CES in Chester. I was told by Europarts that it wasn't possible to buy just the pulley - I needed a new alternator; the ***tards!

If you want to borrow the tool, no problem if you pay the postage - just pm.

Cheers, I'll bear that in mind, just not sure when I can actually buy the things now, getting the car kinda cleaned me out for now! But CES you say, I'll give them a look

I thought that was the timing belt that was in the photo. Would be closer to £300 to get it changed

I kinda assumed it was alternator belt as it looks like it is attached to the alternator (as far as I can tell), and is the same loaction as the alternator belt was on my T4 as well. I hope I am right ha ha as a £300 bill, I can't afford!

If the filter and be;t is that that, id be giving it a full decent service

Yeah, I think that is going to have to be the way forward for me now. Will a halfords filter do for a couple of weeks or so? I only ask as they are open tomorrow so can get that sorted right away ha ha. I would then get an OEM one as soon as I can really.

Full inspection 20k service pdq. There could be other issues.

Full inspection 20k service pdq. There could be other issues.

Given how my T4 ownership went, if there are no more issues beyond these, I'll eat my hat!

A Halfords filter will be fine.

The tool to do the alternator pulley is £10 on ebay , If you were local I'd pop round and do it for you!

When the alternator pulleys fail they start squeeking at idle. Also remove the black cover and if you can see grease that usually means they are knackerd.

Yours might be alright?

If you release the tensioner you should feel the play in it. If its failed.

Hope this helps.

Adam

tbh i serviced my car using all skoda parts, the full works oil/air/fuel/pollen filters, 5w30 oil mobil 1 or quantium long life and new sump plug, cost about £120 ish, had to buy a 32mm socket to remove oil filter top for a full service @ skoda £266. quite easy as for first time on the vrs. hope this helps. or buy parts over a short time as not a burden on your wallet. got deals on ebay too.

A Halfords filter will be fine.

The tool to do the alternator pulley is £10 on ebay , If you were local I'd pop round and do it for you!

When the alternator pulleys fail they start squeeking at idle. Also remove the black cover and if you can see grease that usually means they are knackerd.

Yours might be alright?

If you release the tensioner you should feel the play in it. If its failed.

Hope this helps.

Adam

Gonna pick up a halfords filter this morning before the football is on. Have to say I have no squeaking at idle, on my t4 it was a click/rattle noise that made it obvious it was loose, but I don't have that either. It just sounds, normal, at idle, so maybe just the belt needs replacing then? Not that that makes me much happier of course ha.

Halfords order there parts from other parts places such as tps etc...

My local halfords (kingston park) order there service parts from andrew page (newburn). So theres nothing wrong with halfords service parts.

Well, the halfords filter is now in, so time for a closer look at the old 'filter'

And that is just removed and not messed with in any way. Lovely.

Also, I have noticed that my exhaust has more coke up it than kate moss' nose! It is jet black inside. Wonder if this is normal? Just seems a tad excessive.

That filter is horriffic! Does it come with service history? When was it last serviced?

That filter is horriffic! Does it come with service history? When was it last serviced?

Not recently enough clearly, basically. The place that sold it to my dad said it was 'fully inspected'. . . I presume they turned the key, it started fine, and then they turned it off again.

It has no service history for the last 20 odd thousand miles. So, I'll be buying the bits and changing parts as I go.

The aux belt is dead easy to change (as long as you have a 16mm spanner).

This guide is super useful if you need one:

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=313104

I believe I do have a 16mm spanner yes So something to give a whirl then!

Have just ordered 5l of 5w40 oil for pd engines from eurocarparts, got 30% off and a free oil filter too, so guess I can't complain at that. At least with the service parts I buy I know what is going into the car.

Just wondering if this would do for my aux belt replacement. I know I know, it's probably cheaper elsewhere, just really checking I'm looking at the right thing

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Skoda_Fabia_1.9_2004/p/car-parts/engine-parts/belts-chains-and-tensioners/car-drive-belt/?202745015&1&f556c5e4495047cafd9aa6bc7d44823d3901c11a&000108

This is where I am always unsure with eurocarparts... Some of the belts are shorter for non-aircon vehicles - but you'd hope they are the right ones! I'd try your local stealer or TPS if you have one! Sounds like a good deal on your oil & filter though!

They have two belts, one shorter and cheaper, and the one in the link, so presuming that is for mine as I have aircon. They have just started the 31% off offer on service parts again it seems, so may pick up 5l of coolant and a fuel filter etc, so I can get it fully serviced.