Hello everyone

Just bought is this slightly expensive ? 2002 skoda fabia 1.4 with 6 months mot, fsh, tax for the next week and a half and a possible head gasket problem!!

I decided to ring a local independent garage this afternoon, just to find out the cost of r changing the head gasket, if it is nneeded. I was taken aback when I was quoted £700 .

Am I being a bit thick here, or is this on the slightly expensive side?!?

sounds about right why did you buy a car with a head gasket gone.

bill

As I said, possible head gasket issues, and it was cheap, and because I had a read on here for similar symptoms and decided to risk it!

Yes, it's not cheap.

Unfortunately it's not the easiest job in the world so it's priced accordingly.

When you say possible head gasket problem, what is actually wrong with the car?

I think I wrote somewhere else too, there will be far better people to assist than me if you post any issues here:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/forum/26-skoda-fabia-i/

Very slight creaming under the oil filler cap, but it is due an oil change, it has only been driven 10 miles a week for the last 3 months and stood for 6 months before that. I am probably going to get it pressure tested for peace of mind. Worse case scenario, how difficult is the job. My car is a 1.4 8v and just realised I put 2002 earlier,its actually w reg, 2000.

I

Very slight creaming under the oil filler cap, but it is due an oil change, it has only been driven 10 miles a week for the last 3 months and stood for 6 months before that. I am probably going to get it pressure tested for peace of mind. Worse case scenario, how difficult is the job. My car is a 1.4 8v and just realised I put 2002 earlier,its actually w reg, 2000.

I

EDIT: Welcome to Briskoda, BTW

If it's hardly been driven, and the mayonnaise is only light, there's every possibility it's just condensation especially in this weather. That'd be my expectation - most cars will develop some cream in the filler if they're never allowed to get properly warmed up.

Does the exhaust steam when the car is started from cold? Does the car overheat?

If it's not overheating, losing water, and there's no other signs of oil/water mix, I'd suggest giving the car an oil change and a decent run around (with backup available in case of problem) to see if the issue re-occurs.

Worst case, the HG is doable at home as a preventative meaasure, it's not *hard* as such, just requires reasonable skill, common sense, and a methodical approach. However, if the HG is gone and the car has overheated, the head will need a skim and that's a machine shop job.

Hi all,

This is a pleasure to be here.

I just bought 2011 Skoda Superb 1.8 TSI Elegance - great car but a little complicated for me.....

please help me to solve my 1st problem.

I just wanted to see the model of my Bi-Venon headlight bulb so I've took it out and write the details, after installing back and start the engine got a lot of warning lights and messages like I need to have a garage etc.

what happend ? how can I reset it all back without going into garage ?

will really appriciate your input.

Thanks,

Joseph

Hi all,

This is a pleasure to be here.

I just bought 2011 Skoda Superb 1.8 TSI Elegance - great car but a little complicated for me.....

please help me to solve my 1st problem.

I just wanted to see the model of my Bi-Venon headlight bulb so I've took it out and write the details, after installing back and start the engine got a lot of warning lights and messages like I need to have a garage etc.

what happend ? how can I reset it all back without going into garage ?

will really appriciate your input.

Thanks,

Joseph

You'll probably get more luck posting in the Octavia II forum - but as a starter, I'd suggest getting the scanned with VCDS and have any fault codes reset.

Dear Freedom,

Thank you for fast reply.

As I'm new to this car I need some help:

1. why Octavia II forum if this is Superb ?

2. what exactly is: scanned with VCDS and have any fault codes reset.

Thank you

Joseph

Dear Freedom,

Thank you for fast reply.

As I'm new to this car I need some help:

1. why Octavia II forum if this is Superb ?

2. what exactly is: scanned with VCDS and have any fault codes reset.

Thank you

Joseph

Hi

It's WRCSIxtyThree - Freedom refers to the fact that I'm a paid-up Freedom member.

In answer to your two questions:

1. I misread your post - you're quite right, the Superb II forum would be better

2. VCDS is the diagnostic software which replicates the VAG dealer system. It will allow any fault codes stored within the modules of your car to be read and cleared. Your profile doesn't show your location, but there is a map of VCDS owners as a sticky in the VCDS/Diagnostics subforum.

[quote name=WRCSixtyThree' timeit will just need an oil change.

To answer your questions. Does it steam on startup, no it doesnt , not even a little bit. Does it overheat, only beentamp='1358851003' post='3102158]

EDIT: Welcome to Briskoda, BTW

If it's hardly been driven, and the mayonnaise is only light, there's every possibility it's just condensation especially in this weather. That'd be my expectation - most cars will develop some cream in the filler if they're never allowed to get properly warmed up.

Does the exhaust steam when the car is started from cold? Does the car overheat?

If it's not overheating, losing water, and there's no other signs of oil/water mix, I'd suggest giving the car an oil change and a decent run around (with backup available in case of problem) to see if the issue re-occurs.

Worst case, the HG is doable at home as a preventative meaasure, it's not *hard* as such, just requires reasonable skill, common sense, and a methodical approach. However, if the HG is gone and the car has overheated, the head will need a skim and that's a machine shop job.

Thank you for that, I am hoping Iwill not need to do the whole head gasket thing! It isnt steaming on start up, no overheating, a local garage said to do pressure test , but I eonder if anyone knows if that would be conclusive if I did?

Edited 22 January, 201313 yr by sarahoxford

Thank you for that, I am hoping Iwill not need to do the whole head gasket thing! It isnt steaming on start up, no overheating, a local garage said to do pressure test , but I eonder if anyone knows if that would be conclusive if I did?

A pressure test of the cooling system will only show that there's a leak 'somewhere'. More effective diagnosis is possible by using a sniffer in the header tank as well, but to be honest if it's not steaming, the heater's working, it's not overheating, the mayonnaise on the filler cap is slight, there's no oily sludge in the coolant, and the dipstick isn't covered in creamy goo it's more likely to be just condensation.

If it were me I'd drain the oil, refill it with cheap oil, take it for a good long run, and see what the mayo situation is like after that. If it's clear, I'd drain the oil again and refill with something decent and then just get on with using the car. Almost certainly cheaper and easier (if you can do the oil changes yourself/with local help) than going down a garage diagnostics route.

Thank you for that. Thry did a sniffer test, is that when they use the gadget with the blue liquid in the place where the cap of the rad header tank ususlly is?

The colour changes if fumes are detected, while the engine is running?

IT STAYED BLUE !!

He advised pretty much what was written above , thank you for your help.

Now I need to make a shopping list of what types and how much, of oil, anti freeze ready mixed he told me. Also he said use engine flush first, to help get rid of yukky stuff. Obviously also need oil filter, and wadhrr for sump plug, and new sump plug? What about any special tools for the sump plug, is it a standard fitting or do I need a special tool?

More questions to follow soon I expect, eg which engine flush I should use, etc etc !

Edited 22 January, 201313 yr by sarahoxford

Thank you for that. Thry did a sniffer test, is that when they use the gadget with the blue liquid in the place where the cap of the rad header tank ususlly is?

The colour changes if fumes are detected, while the engine is running?

IT STAYED BLUE !!

He advised pretty much what was written above , thank you for your help.

Now I need to make a shopping list of what types and how much, of oil, anti freeze ready mixed he told me. Also he said use engine flush first, to help get rid of yukky stuff. Obviously also need oil filter, and wadhrr for sump plug, and new sump plug? What about any special tools for the sump plug, is it a standard fitting or do I need a special tool?

More questions to follow soon I expect, eg which engine flush I should use, etc etc !

Yep, that's a sniff test. No need to change coolant if it's not contaminated, although it's not a bad idea to do it. Halfords Advanced ready mixed is compliant with TL774D (VAG G12 standard) and is easy to get hold of, although you could just go to VAG for it if you want genuine G12/+/++

If there's no contamination, I'd do just one oil change to proper spec oil. Autodata lists the oil specifications as 10W40 semi-synthetic or 10W30 semi-synthetic.

IMO, don't bother with oil flush, it's generally unnecessary. Get the car really hot to burn off the condensation with a decent run on the motorway, then allow it to cool for a while before changing the oil. There shouldn't be enough 'yukky stuff' in the sump to warrant anything more than that.

TPS or Eurocarparts for oil filter, oil, might as well change the air filter at the same time while you're about it. If it were me and the servicing status was unknown and it's not been used for a while, I'd treat the car to a set of plugs too. At Eurocarparts you can currently use code 'ALL20' for 20% off - if you join Briskoda Freedom there's a 25% off code which you'll get from the Freedom area.

Not certain about the sump plug as I've never worked on a Fabia, but on a Polo 1.4 8v with the same engine I did a service on a while back, I'm pretty sure it was a hex head plug, somewhere around 15mm I believe; so a standard ring spanner will do the job. That plug had an integrated washer and should have been replaced, but it wasn't and doesn't leak.

If it's a copper washer, I tend to remove it, heat it to cherry red and then allow to cool or quench in water to anneal the washer and make it soft again. Old trick but allows you to re-use the washer, which is handy as I never remember to get a new one.

Thank you. It is freaking me out with the skoda, its that engine cover. Never had a car with one of those and it feels like a great big sign -YOU SHALL NOT TOUCH THIS ENGINE !! There is definately water in the oil, although it's not too horrific. Can't decide about the engine flush , will see when I've slept on it! Next thing is to get a Haynes manual, if I'm going to keep the car for a while. I must not get obsessive though! I used to have a Pug 309 gti, well I had 2 actually, but I did a lot of work on the first one. I loved that car, I even changed the engine and gearbox in it, borrowed an engine hoist and just planned to make a start on it, then get help. I did get help, but only with the bolts exhaust manifild onto downpipe, as I couldn't be in two places at once! I'd already got it started by that time though, when it started first turn I was that surprised, I will never forget it! Lol, I'm so sad !

Thank you. It is freaking me out with the skoda, its that engine cover. Never had a car with one of those and it feels like a great big sign -YOU SHALL NOT TOUCH THIS ENGINE !! There is definately water in the oil, although it's not too horrific. Can't decide about the engine flush , will see when I've slept on it! Next thing is to get a Haynes manual, if I'm going to keep the car for a while. I must not get obsessive though! I used to have a Pug 309 gti, well I had 2 actually, but I did a lot of work on the first one. I loved that car, I even changed the engine and gearbox in it, borrowed an engine hoist and just planned to make a start on it, then get help. I did get help, but only with the bolts exhaust manifild onto downpipe, as I couldn't be in two places at once! I'd already got it started by that time though, when it started first turn I was that surprised, I will never forget it! Lol, I'm so sad !

Sounds like you'll be OK with an oil change then. Engine flush is a matter which provokes much debate; personally, I don't use it unless someone asks me to. Nothing wrong with obsessing; it's better to be safe than sorry with a lot of things. I've always been a bit funny about cars personally, and I absolutely will NOT take my car to a garage for anything unless I absolutely have to. If I can do it myself, I will; that way I know it's been done to my standards. The only time my cars see the inside of a garage workshop is for bodywork and tyres!

Personally I'd get the engine up to temp let the oil settle then just do a normal oil change.

Read fors and against engine flushes only you can choose.

Glad it wasn't anything serious and belated welcome to Briskoda.

Thanks for all advice. I've done the coolant change today. Also I've bought my new oil and filter, decided I won't do the engine flush at the moment. I think there is a slight leak from the oil sump plug, so need to replace that. Is that a main dealer only part, or can I get motofists didcount to order me one?

Sounds like you'll be OK with an oil change then. Engine flush is a matter which provokes much debate; personally, I don't use it unless someone asks me to. Nothing wrong with obsessing; it's better to be safe than sorry with a lot of things. I've always been a bit funny about cars personally, and I absolutely will NOT take my car to a garage for anything unless I absolutely have to. If I can do it myself, I will; that way I know it's been done to my standards. The only time my cars see the inside of a garage workshop is for bodywork and tyres!

LOl, I was just like that with the pug. 309 gti, hated anyone else going near it !

Thanks for all advice. I've done the coolant change today. Also I've bought my new oil and filter, decided I won't do the engine flush at the moment. I think there is a slight leak from the oil sump plug, so need to replace that. Is that a main dealer only part, or can I get motofisobabts didcount to order me one?

Probably easiest just to get one from the dealer... It'll only be pennies :-)

All done, by myself, eeek !

Fingers crossed.

Didnt use the engine flush in the end !

All done, by myself, eeek !

Fingers crossed.

Didnt use the engine flush in the end !

good news. Oil that came out look ok?

Not as bad as I had expected, thanks.

Not as bad as I had expected, thanks.

Pleased it worked out for you. Now you can get on with enjoying it.