Hi I'm new to the forum so I have posted in the new section to say hi.. just bought our first Skoda ( well i once part bought a rapide with a mate like 25years ago for £50 out the scrap yard, long story. Didn't end well So in real terms I have had my eye on Octavia for a while just time and the need didn't cross till we had an electrical issue now fixed on our BMW so I thought I've had enough 3rd BMW we have had issues with. All items you can fix but when your buying a high end brand, why are we having them in the first place. Anyway........... we wanted a nice basic car and that's what I have plumped for. a 2002 1.6i 57k tidy hatch.

But with any new car some issues and if any one can help that would be super grand of you..

Rear tail gate

I do think the rear rams have started to go, as it has to be lifted about 80% of the way before it will take it's own weight.

Is this normal or does it sound like mines on the way out.. Only ask as I have two small kids and I don't want it crashing down on their hands if it came down and you know what kids are like their hands will just be there at the wrong time and the wrong place. I have seen some replacement rams on ebay for £20 are these any good they rate them at 500Nm thinking of going for them. That or check out the local scrap yard.

Rattle from front suspension

I am hearing a rattle and at times quite a worry as it's loud. Rattle from the front suspension. Being an Ex London car all it's life I know it's pot hole city round South London and I'm not supprised it's got an issue. Reading the service history it has had some parts already replaced 2 years ago. But it's sounding low down not high up.. if this was a VW T5 question I would be telling any one asking Drop links hands down! is this the case with the Octavia I have been on the floor taking a look while my mate pushes the car up and down.. I can't quite put my finger on it 100% but It could be Anti roll bar drop links or bushes from looking at it.. Main dealer or ebay for parts?

I certainly don't think it's anything major

Cam belt and water pump.

As it's coming up to 58k I want to change the coolant, water pump, Cam belt and tensioners. Any tips? any links to how to's . I am asuming I could look for 1.6ltr Petrol Golf links of how to as well?

Drivers Seat lumbar support

When I got the car there was a cap in the glove box which is basicly the knob off the lumbar support adjustment and I fitted it back on knowing it's not going to work and supprise !!!!! it doesn't :think: any one else had that as I do feel it slumps at the bottom of the back of the seat.. taking seats apart is a pain in the Just found a tec section on how to repair this thanks

When cold start, tick over is low

I notice the revs are abit splutery from 800rpm to 1100 rpm to pick up..and no issues revs though the range nice but not so at low revs. Always gets there but splutery. I noticed when cold it would start ok but tick over very low , poss too low say at 800 rpm.. not sat at 900 or 950 as I would have expected.. is this an issue common I am thinking there might be a sensor that might have gone, that is not telling the ECU when it's cold to up the revs till it's warm.. any one had this?

Rear brakes

It has just started to squeel from the rear brakes. And GRAB!!! as you pull up I am thinking they may have to be changed but the service history does say some thing about new brakes so I will look into that. The car stops on a dime when pushed into stopping rapidly. At an alarming almost neck breaking pace. Better than not I guess.

AC Hmmm working?

I pushed the dealer on the AC as I think it's not working I can hear the pump kick in but I am not feeling the AC being much colder than the winters air in Jan than normal. You hear the classic it just needs a recharge mate.. well it may well but I have had this before and it's the pump/condensor

I will have to either spend some cash on a recharge and see or wait till summer and see if it really does work which I am doubt full but at £1450 for the car I have to say I can live with some things.

So other than a big service I think that's about it..i'm pleased. For an older car this is new ground for us. We normaly go for quite new. I am being picky on my list of fixes I am seeing it as almost a project. Not diesel this time but my thinking was most of my wifes runs will be the School run about 2 mile round trip. x 2 a day. Hence I think Petrol car is better than diesel for this. And as Diesel is £500 in a car more to buy in general on the used car market that's over a years fuel !!!!!

Edited 6 January, 201313 yr by Mr MC

The knocking is almost certainly the arb it has plastic collars that break up and cause the knock,

The bushes go round these collars, you can break of the plastic and fit new smaller dia bushes very easily should cure this issues

Welcome :-)

ARB, or worn rear bushes in the front wishbone. More likely to be the former as the miles are quite low.

Gas struts - well the car is 10+ years old..... and they seem to work less well when it is colder.

AC - won't work when it is colder than 5 deg C (or something like that). The electric clutch might have fallen off (common issue), or the wiring to engage the clutch might be at fault or it might simply need a regas.

at 58k/10 years old the belt should have been replaced a few times already.... what does the service history say? No experience on belt changes on the 1.6, but imagine it should be fairly easy.....

1.6 = drums on the back?

yes I think it is drums on the back I think, they certainly they grab.

I will re read the history but I am sure cam belt was not mentioned. But I am going to pick one up tomorrow and a water pump. Plus Aux belt and I have Pink Coolant already on the shelf.

Will pick up some oil and a filter as well..

One the service history it says the plugs have been changed at every service!! wowzers! as it did about 5k a year!! I will be leaving them in for abit longer I have check and they do look nice and clean. I will check the ones behind the inlet as he may have just changed the ones you can see :wonder: all me synical.

But yes belt is ment to be done 4 years or 60k. It's clearly been on a while and they where going for the 60k bit. Thanks for the heads up I will be getting the bits tomorrow and try and get a manual for it as well.

belt should be 60k/4 years, which ever comes first...... haha I do 30+ a year, so would be at double the recommended interval if I took that approach!

On the diesel you have to undo some engine mounts and they are meant to have the bolts replaced. I didn't bother the first time, but did on my second change. Car has previously had one belt change, and I don't know if the bolts were changed or recycled.

Might as well change the aux belt as well.....

Well I spent quite abit today.

At my local trade supplier I got all the cambelt,waterpump, belts, air filter ,fuel filter ,wipers and semi oil, plus a haynes book of lies for the skoda £100

Then at the local Skoda dealer he was very happy for me to be in there and I got the front syspention parts for the knocking sound. Very very helpful the most helpful parts person at a main dealer I have ever come across to be honest. Most disconcerting at first LOL..

Anyway I got the parts so I will change them over, plus genuine oil filter and plug they only came to £30 odd with them and got a discount so that's always better. £130 so far and got enough to keep me at it for a few hours later BIG service coming up with every thing that needs doing to be done. So looking good.......

Edited 7 January, 201313 yr by Mr MC