Having just started my own business I needed to get a van, so I planned on selling Mrs Jass's Swift glx and giving her my Mazda 6 to drive as it's family sized and diesel, and using the cash to buy the van.  However, now I have sold the Swift, apparently the Mazda is too big for her to drive and I now need to trade in my 6 against a van instead.  So the cash from selling her Swift has been spent on buying a vrs doer upper for my wife.  The more I look at it through, the more I suspect it is an unrecorded accident damaged one.

 

I have various issues, so in no particular order, here we go.

 

Drivers Seat - Is ripped in the two usual places, bolsters on the drivers door side of the car. The base bolster is actually burst right through the sponge and the metal bar is bared and digging into my leg.  I am not going to be driving it and my wife does maybe 5000 miles a year at a push so it is not going to cause her any pain as she is a wee skinny thing but I would still like it to be right.  The seats in general are filthy so I was going to get a new Drivers Seat and get them all Shampooed and Steam Cleaned, etc.  However, I have been reading up on these wonderfully handy forums here, and trying to work out the best way forward.  The standard options seem to be, replace like for like and clean everything up, replace the front and back seats with things from another polo family car, or repair the seat with new bolsters(?) in some way and re-cover it with a new vrs cover.  I don't have alot of time as I need a van by next Friday so we would be carless effectively so building hybrid seats with parts from golfs, octavias, etc., isn't really an option in the short term.  As far as replacing all of the seats, would the donor car have to be 5 door or would 3 door front and back seats fit?  If someone who has replaced the seats could give some advice on which ones they have please it would be appreciated.  Basically I am looking for the most comfortable ones I can get if that is the way I decide to go.  Has anyone repaired or replaced the bolsters(Can it even be done?) and re-covered it? Bear in mind I need quick and as low cost as possible. You will understand why by the time you get to the end of the post.

 

Hissing coming from the dash - this is an entirely new one on me.  I suspected Air Con, however it seems to happen even when it isn't on.  It isn't a steady stream either it happens for up to about 20 seconds then dies away for a minute then does it again, even when the engine isn't running.  If you turn the ignition off you can still hear it.  Any info or ideas on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

Sticky Gear Shift - Mainly in first and second.  You can be driving fine for ages then it just says bugger off I like 2nd gear and I am not coming out.  After a couple of goes it does move and it has also happened in first.  Having read through our wonderful forums again, I am suspecting some kind of support bushes, but unsure which ones to check first.  It did have a mention of anti roll bar bushes being worn but still within limits on the advisories for the MOT in March, but anti roll bar doesn't sound right for this problem.

 

Tyres - I have just spent 300 quid on 4 tyres for the Mazda which are 205 55 16's the Skoda has some cheap looking regal things I have never heard of.  New but cheap crap I suspect.  You can feel the query and I can sense the answer is no, but I will ask.  Can I swap them safely?  Car hasn't been lowered or anything.  Other than the tacho being out would there be other potential issues?

 

Dash Light - I have a red light flashing and I can't see what it is as it is never on when I look at it I only catch it out of the corner of my eye.  Flashing is the wrong word actually, it is more of a flicker, it sits between the main and high beam dashboard lights.  No clue.

 

Brakes - Don't ask me why, but the nsf brake pads are non existent whilst the osf ones are like new.  I assume to pass an MOT some plonker has replaced the osf brake pads and not the nsf.  The car has done 12000 miles since its mot in March and I would normally just rip out the whole lot and replace the pads and the discs however in light of the limited funds at my disposal here would I get away with just replacing the nsf pads.  The nsf brakes are squealing and I suspect metal to metal now.  grrr.

 

Ashtray - Neither of us smoke so is there a replacement console section which removes this and replaces with something useful like a cup holder section?

 

Rear Spoiler - Usual problem of lacquer and paint peeling off.  Seems to be bonded on rather than bolted and sealed.  I assume no one has come up with a way of dealing with this other than painting it whilst it is still fitted to the car?

 

Boot release - works intermittently.  It sounds like it unlocks with the rest of the car but when you press the button on the boot it makes the right noise but doesn't release the boot lid.  Is this likely to be merely an adjustment?  The same problem with the button on the remote.

 

Fob/Key - Speaking of remotes the car only came with one key.  Any easy way to get another programmed up?  I have the service book and stuff but the key I have doesn't have the wee metal code thingy attached.

 

Paintwork - Is as bad as my Mazda.  I am trying to get a hold of the crowd I got a price from to do the Mazda, £150 including full wash down and machine polish and wax and a full valet of the interior.  Anyone know of anywhere around Glasgow that might do it cheaper?

 

Alloy Refurb - Quite badly damaged, not sure its worth getting them done as my wife actually bent a steel wheel rim so badly when she hit a kerb the tyre went flat and the wheel had to be replaced, but if anyone can recommend anyone in central/south west Scotland that is reasonable it would be great.  I understand Wheelpro is getting a good name but is there anywhere else for price comparison?

 

Centre Caps - Anyone got any they could sell me, one would do, but two preferably so I have a spare one, as I have a VW one on the osf wheel.  If not, other than ebay, any ideas where I could maybe get some, locally would be great but anywhere really would do?

 

General Things that need done - every car has these, things you do as standard to a certain car when you get it as it always goes anyway.  Rover 75 has a few, plenum drains, egr valve cleaning, changing the filter in the rocker cover suction pipe thingy, soldering the connections under the seats.  Mazda 6 also has a few, sunroof drains, dpf cleaning, sump filling with diesel, etc.  Anything you would advise doing as a matter of course other than the standard services it as soon as you get it up the road?

 

I will no doubt have loads of other stupid and perhaps baffling questions as I get on with it, but this lot will do for starts hehe!

 

Cheers in advance for all the replys.

 

 

Jass

Edited 5 August, 201312 yr by Jaspire

seats .... fabia mk 1 or mk 2 ... polo 9n or 9n3 .... or mk 4 ibiza should be a straight fit 3 and 5 door although 3 door seats obviously fold forward  .... as for the cover pattern / colour that is personal choice 

 

hissing possibley a vacuum pipe thats split / damaged? how are the brakes? the vacuum pipe from the box to the servo is common for splitting

 

gears? unsure ... might be worth trying to adjust linkages?

205 / 55/ 16s do fit and many do run them but they catch/ run on the nsr arch liner

 

dash light ... dont know?

brakes .... do you really want to be skimping on brakes???? i would just bite the bullet and put a set of pads on the front they wont be too expensive from euro car parts

ashtray ... yes there is a cup holder that is a straight fit ... use the search to find a part no. its well documented but then where would you put your loose change?

 

rear spoiler? re paint or wrap it .

boot release ... mine does same .. never looked in to it 

 

key fob ... its doable others have done it and may be along shortley to help

centre caps ... ebay or look in the group buys section for pastyboys badges
 

Having just started my own business I needed to get a van, so I planned on selling Mrs Jass's Swift glx and giving her my Mazda 6 to drive as it's family sized and diesel, and using the cash to buy the van.  However, now I have sold the Swift, apparently the Mazda is too big for her to drive and I now need to trade in my 6 against a van instead.  So the cash from selling her Swift has been spent on buying a vrs doer upper for my wife.  The more I look at it through, the more I suspect it is an unrecorded accident damaged one.

 

I have various issues, so in no particular order, here we go.

 

Drivers Seat - Is ripped in the two usual places, bolsters on the drivers door side of the car. The base bolster is actually burst right through the sponge and the metal bar is bared and digging into my leg.  I am not going to be driving it and my wife does maybe 5000 miles a year at a push so it is not going to cause her any pain as she is a wee skinny thing but I would still like it to be right.  The seats in general are filthy so I was going to get a new Drivers Seat and get them all Shampooed and Steam Cleaned, etc.  However, I have been reading up on these wonderfully handy forums here, and trying to work out the best way forward.  The standard options seem to be, replace like for like and clean everything up, replace the front and back seats with things from another polo family car, or repair the seat with new bolsters(?) in some way and re-cover it with a new vrs cover.  I don't have alot of time as I need a van by next Friday so we would be carless effectively so building hybrid seats with parts from golfs, octavias, etc., isn't really an option in the short term.  As far as replacing all of the seats, would the donor car have to be 5 door or would 3 door front and back seats fit?  If someone who has replaced the seats could give some advice on which ones they have please it would be appreciated.  Basically I am looking for the most comfortable ones I can get if that is the way I decide to go.  Has anyone repaired or replaced the bolsters(Can it even be done?) and re-covered it? Bear in mind I need quick and as low cost as possible. You will understand why by the time you get to the end of the post.

 

Hissing coming from the dash - this is an entirely new one on me.  I suspected Air Con, however it seems to happen even when it isn't on.  It isn't a steady stream either it happens for up to about 20 seconds then dies away for a minute then does it again, even when the engine isn't running.  If you turn the ignition off you can still hear it.  Any info or ideas on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

Sticky Gear Shift - Mainly in first and second.  You can be driving fine for ages then it just says bugger off I like 2nd gear and I am not coming out.  After a couple of goes it does move and it has also happened in first.  Having read through our wonderful forums again, I am suspecting some kind of support bushes, but unsure which ones to check first.  It did have a mention of anti roll bar bushes being worn but still within limits on the advisories for the MOT in March, but anti roll bar doesn't sound right for this problem.

 

Tyres - I have just spent 300 quid on 4 tyres for the Mazda which are 205 55 16's the Skoda has some cheap looking regal things I have never heard of.  New but cheap crap I suspect.  You can feel the query and I can sense the answer is no, but I will ask.  Can I swap them safely?  Car hasn't been lowered or anything.  Other than the tacho being out would there be other potential issues?

 

Dash Light - I have a red light flashing and I can't see what it is as it is never on when I look at it I only catch it out of the corner of my eye.  Flashing is the wrong word actually, it is more of a flicker, it sits between the main and high beam dashboard lights.  No clue.

 

Brakes - Don't ask me why, but the nsf brake pads are non existent whilst the osf ones are like new.  I assume to pass an MOT some plonker has replaced the osf brake pads and not the nsf.  The car has done 12000 miles since its mot in March and I would normally just rip out the whole lot and replace the pads and the discs however in light of the limited funds at my disposal here would I get away with just replacing the nsf pads.  The nsf brakes are squealing and I suspect metal to metal now.  grrr.

 

Ashtray - Neither of us smoke so is there a replacement console section which removes this and replaces with something useful like a cup holder section?

 

Rear Spoiler - Usual problem of lacquer and paint peeling off.  Seems to be bonded on rather than bolted and sealed.  I assume no one has come up with a way of dealing with this other than painting it whilst it is still fitted to the car?

 

Boot release - works intermittently.  It sounds like it unlocks with the rest of the car but when you press the button on the boot it makes the right noise but doesn't release the boot lid.  Is this likely to be merely an adjustment?  The same problem with the button on the remote.

 

Fob/Key - Speaking of remotes the car only came with one key.  Any easy way to get another programmed up?  I have the service book and stuff but the key I have doesn't have the wee metal code thingy attached.

 

Paintwork - Is as bad as my Mazda.  I am trying to get a hold of the crowd I got a price from to do the Mazda, £150 including full wash down and machine polish and wax and a full valet of the interior.  Anyone know of anywhere around Glasgow that might do it cheaper?

 

Alloy Refurb - Quite badly damaged, not sure its worth getting them done as my wife actually bent a steel wheel rim so badly when she hit a kerb the tyre went flat and the wheel had to be replaced, but if anyone can recommend anyone in central/south west Scotland that is reasonable it would be great.  I understand Wheelpro is getting a good name but is there anywhere else for price comparison?

 

Centre Caps - Anyone got any they could sell me, one would do, but two preferably so I have a spare one, as I have a VW one on the osf wheel.  If not, other than ebay, any ideas where I could maybe get some, locally would be great but anywhere really would do?

 

General Things that need done - every car has these, things you do as standard to a certain car when you get it as it always goes anyway.  Rover 75 has a few, plenum drains, egr valve cleaning, changing the filter in the rocker cover suction pipe thingy, soldering the connections under the seats.  Mazda 6 also has a few, sunroof drains, dpf cleaning, sump filling with diesel, etc.  Anything you would advise doing as a matter of course other than the standard services it as soon as you get it up the road?

 

I will no doubt have loads of other stupid and perhaps baffling questions as I get on with it, but this lot will do for starts hehe!

 

Cheers in advance for all the replys.

 

 

Jass

 

And the award for longest post of the year goes to.........Jaspire!

 

Just kidding.....I agree with what Holmesie said. The dash light that keeps flashing on could be the start of the alternator signal wire breaking........common on all Fabia diesels. It breaks at the multiplug at the front of the gearbox. It's hard to check from above, you really need to get the engine under tray off and look at it from below. This fault should also show up on a VCDS scan.  

 

Your brake issue could be a sticky caliper....I'd just replace all the pads and see what happens. 

 

There is a video somewhere on youtube running you through the gear shift calibration. It's easy and would be the first thing to do if you are having shifting problems.

i can give a bit of advice on the key/remote side of things!

 

Don't go to Skoda! There's plenty of people out there that can supply, cut & program new keys a lot cheaper than the dealerships. I'm 1 of them but unfortunately i'm a bit too far away. I also don't know of anybody up your way that does keys. Just get on the net, do a google, look on yell etc for local auto locksmiths. Get some prices.

 

Or you could see if there's somebody on the forum near you that has something like vagtacho etc. You could buy a remote, take it to a key cutting shop then get whoever to program it with vagtacho or vag commander etc

Excellent thanks for the info Holmsie.

 

On the seats, I will keep my eye out for something out of a Sport or something.  Unless I can get my hands on a VRS drivers seat.  Put a query on one of those parts search web sites, but have had nothing back.  I had heard a rumour of someone putting the new vrs seats into the old one, so if these fit I may look for something from the new car, which would be nice.

 

I will have a hunt for info on the Vacuum pipe then check it out, don't imagine it would be too expensive to change.  The brakes are odd, but I put hat down to me having driven the Mazda for the last 80000 miles.  Seems to have a lot of pedal travel for little return then come on quite solid near the bottom of the travel.  Don't know if this is normal.

 

Bit of a bugger on the tyres.  Don't want to trade in the car with a new set of tyres on just for it to be sent to auction.  I might give them a try and see how it goes.

 

The brakes pads come as a set so that's no hassle.  Just hope I don't need to change the disks.  Think I am just going to have to suck it and see.

 

Dash light is a worry it doesn't come on when the ignition turns on.  Hope it isn't airbag related, although that orange light does light up with the ignition.  Just a hunch on that one.

 

Ashtray - excellent I will have a good hunt for that.  I married with Kids, I am therefore legally obliged to not have any change.

 

Rear Spoiler - can stay how it is till I see how the paintwork come up when it gets machined.

 

Group buys section?  I will have a look for that.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Cheers

 

 

Jass

Edited 6 August, 201312 yr by Jaspire

I can tell you exactly what the flashing light is!!! The rear seat latch sensor, drove me mad. Lay the drivers side rear seat back forward and it puts a light on to let you know its not back properly as it affects the centre seat belt. I cut the sensor off and twisted the wires together and Ive been sane now for months. Started panicking seeing a red warning light flicker!!

And the award for longest post of the year goes to.........Jaspire!

 

Just kidding.....I agree with what Holmesie said. The dash light that keeps flashing on could be the start of the alternator signal wire breaking........common on all Fabia diesels. It breaks at the multiplug at the front of the gearbox. It's hard to check from above, you really need to get the engine under tray off and look at it from below. This fault should also show up on a VCDS scan.  

 

Your brake issue could be a sticky caliper....I'd just replace all the pads and see what happens. 

 

There is a video somewhere on youtube running you through the gear shift calibration. It's easy and would be the first thing to do if you are having shifting problems.

 

 

LOL!  I did ask when I did the introduction thing on the main page whether I should list my issues singly or altogether.  I figured I would save space. 

 

Might be worth thinking about breaking the section down to discussions/queries into areas, such as Suspension, Interior, Wheels, Engine, Bodywork, Transmission.  Just a suggestion.

 

Thanks for the info, the gearshift calibration is a new one to me, so I will have a swatch at that. 

 

The alternator signal wire is also a new one to me, thanks for that.  It's getting hooked up to a code reader tomorrow so hopefully that will give me some codes to give me a clue.  Can this be repaired or is a case of a new loom/multiplug?

 

Ta muchly

 

 

Jass

I can tell you exactly what the flashing light is!!! The rear seat latch sensor, drove me mad. Lay the drivers side rear seat back forward and it puts a light on to let you know its not back properly as it affects the centre seat belt. I cut the sensor off and twisted the wires together and Ive been sane now for months. Started panicking seeing a red warning light flicker!!

 

 

Awesome Kyle

 

I will try and check this and find a fix for it.  I have the kids in the back, and the boy can be prone to forgetting what he is doing and unbuckling to get to a dropped lego man or whatever so the belt light is quite handy.

 

Thanks again.

 

Jass

i can give a bit of advice on the key/remote side of things!

 

Don't go to Skoda! There's plenty of people out there that can supply, cut & program new keys a lot cheaper than the dealerships. I'm 1 of them but unfortunately i'm a bit too far away. I also don't know of anybody up your way that does keys. Just get on the net, do a google, look on yell etc for local auto locksmiths. Get some prices.

 

Or you could see if there's somebody on the forum near you that has something like vagtacho etc. You could buy a remote, take it to a key cutting shop then get whoever to program it with vagtacho or vag commander etc

Thanks matey, I will have a search about, I just assumed it was one of those you have to go to the dealer with the metal code tag and they order it.  Don't like having just one key.  Wifey is on her 4th house key.

 

Don't assume I won't be near you at some point, I have to get a van shortly and the nicest ones I can find are in Doncaster and Nottingham atm.  If I am coming by before I get one organised I will give you a shout.

 

Cheers

 

 

Jass

Excellent thanks for the info Holmsie.

 

On the seats, I will keep my eye out for something out of a Sport or something.  Unless I can get my hands on a VRS drivers seat.  Put a query on one of those parts search web sites, but have had nothing back.  I had heard a rumour of someone putting the new vrs seats into the old one, so if these fit I may look for something from the new car, which would be nice.

 

I will have a hunt for info on the Vacuum pipe then check it out, don't imagine it would be too expensive to change.  The brakes are odd, but I put hat down to me having driven the Mazda for the last 80000 miles.  Seems to have a lot of pedal travel for little return then come on quite solid near the bottom of the travel.  Don't know if this is normal.

 

Bit of a bugger on the tyres.  Don't want to trade in the car with a new set of tyres on just for it to be sent to auction.  I might give them a try and see how it goes.

 

The brakes pads come as a set so that's no hassle.  Just hope I don't need to change the disks.  Think I am just going to have to suck it and see.

 

Dash light is a worry it doesn't come on when the ignition turns on.  Hope it isn't airbag related, although that orange light does light up with the ignition.  Just a hunch on that one.

 

Ashtray - excellent I will have a good hunt for that.  I married with Kids, I am therefore legally obliged to not have any change.

 

Rear Spoiler - can stay how it is till I see how the paintwork come up when it gets machined.

 

Group buys section?  I will have a look for that.

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Cheers

 

 

Jass

 

yeah new vrs seats are awesome they are black and abit comfier / better than mk1 vrs seats but seem pretty rare at the mo

Awesome Kyle

 

I will try and check this and find a fix for it.  I have the kids in the back, and the boy can be prone to forgetting what he is doing and unbuckling to get to a dropped lego man or whatever so the belt light is quite handy.

 

Thanks again.

 

Jass

 

Before you rollock your kid the sensor will be at fault, I kept slamming my seats to make sure they were properly shut and in the end the only way I could sort it was to cut the wires and twist them together

The alternator signal wire is also a new one to me, thanks for that.  It's getting hooked up to a code reader tomorrow so hopefully that will give me some codes to give me a clue.  Can this be repaired or is a case of a new loom/multiplug?

 

From what others have said, it sounds like it might well be the seat latch sensor.

 

If the alternator signal wire does break, it's just a case of stripping the broken wires and soldering a new section in.....cheap and easy. No need for new looms or anything.  

The tyres Jas, I can confirm that 3 of them will fit :S but the nsr will catch on the odd shape in the inner wing liner. Also your speedo reading will be out quite a way (noticeably so).

 

Not sure about the rear seat sensor. As mine is a combi, I use it for hauling stuff from time to time. There is a red warning light that comes on when the seats are down, but it goes out after a couple of minutes driving.

 

good luck with the other stuff

Thanks matey, I will have a search about, I just assumed it was one of those you have to go to the dealer with the metal code tag and they order it.  Don't like having just one key.  Wifey is on her 4th house key.

 

Don't assume I won't be near you at some point, I have to get a van shortly and the nicest ones I can find are in Doncaster and Nottingham atm.  If I am coming by before I get one organised I will give you a shout.

 

Cheers

 

 

Jass

ok no worries. I live in Huddersfield but right out on the outskirts & 15-20mins from M1 J39 so if you're heading to Nottingham etc I won't be far off your route. If people come to me I charge £80 to supply, cut & program a remote key to the earlier models that aren't CANBUS so don't require pre-coded keys

ok no worries. I live in Huddersfield but right out on the outskirts & 15-20mins from M1 J39 so if you're heading to Nottingham etc I won't be far off your route. If people come to me I charge £80 to supply, cut & program a remote key to the earlier models that aren't CANBUS so don't require pre-coded keys

How much for a 54 plate (2005)

would I be coming to Grantham?

would I be coming to Grantham?

I'm always around the m1 with work so could quite easily come to you

ok if you come to me it's £80. If i come to you it'd be £120 as it's a 170 mile round trip from mine. I could do it a bit cheaper if i'm already nearby. I've actually got a job coming up in the next couple of weeks in Retford, in which case if i could do it i9n the same trip it'd be £100

I can tell you exactly what the flashing light is!!! The rear seat latch sensor, drove me mad. Lay the drivers side rear seat back forward and it puts a light on to let you know its not back properly as it affects the centre seat belt. I cut the sensor off and twisted the wires together and Ive been sane now for months. Started panicking seeing a red warning light flicker!!

Kyle where would I find this sensor on the back seat? Just realised it will have nothing to do with the seat belt sensor so if I can't fix it i'll do the same as you and permanently attached the ends.

Cheers

Jass

Edited 10 August, 201312 yr by Jaspire

OK motor is in for its service getting the pads changed regardless.

With the regards to the interior, would the seats out of a 51 plate polo gti fit it? There is an interior from a polo 6n2 but I have no idea what year that is.

Cheers

Jass

Edited 10 August, 201312 yr by Jaspire

OK motor is in for its service getting the pads changed regardless.

With the regards to the interior, would the seats out of a 51 plate polo gti fit it? There is an interior from a polo 6n2 but I have no idea what year that is.

Cheers

Jass

Think I may have answered my own question here.  On further investigation, it looks like the Gti seats are from a 6n polo gti. I have looked at some on autotrader and have the same interior and they have the square headlamps as opposed to the twin round ones.  I am assuming the square headlights are on the 6n and the twin round ones are the 9n.  I am assuming from other posts above that the 6n seats don't fit the fabia?

 

Cheers

 

 

Jass

Edited 11 August, 201312 yr by Jaspire

nope 6n polo seats wont fit ...

9n or 9n3 ..... possibley 6r (the new shape but im unsure)

mk4 ibiza 
fabias mk1 and mk2

OK Peeps quick update.

 

Couldn't get a decent interior both my wife and myself liked without spending £400 on a leather interior out of an A1 which I dodged a slap for suggesting, however once more I have been rescued by a fellow member(oo-err).

 

One seat base, base cover and upright cover en route next week.

 

As for the brakes, it's a puzzle to me.  Brake pads are all fine, possibly need to disks changed but the pads are like new, must have been the angle I was looking at the n/s/f which made them look low, but wheels off they are fine, which doesn't help me with the odd feeling pedal travel.  I am going to give my wife the car for the next couple of weeks to give the motor a chance to settle into its new driver so that can wait. 

 

What can't wait is the gearbox.  1st and 2nd every 3 or 4 gearchanges are very difficult to disengage.  Releasing the clutch and depressing it again sorts it, but I forgot to tell wifey and she bricked it the first junction she came to.  I am going to try the gear shift reset as per the diesel geeks instructional video, however for some reason thrust or release bearing or TOB whichever you prefer to call it is jumping into my head.  Going to try adjusting the pedal up and see if the extra travel cures it.  The other thing is when you lift off the accelerator the clutch pedal drops a bit, or at least the clutch pedal pressure drops, when you press the gas again the pedal pressure returns back to normal and the pedal 'lifts'.  Probably not the best description of my issues but it is the best I can come up with.

 

Hissing from behind the dash - seems to be a vacuum valve depressing on the other side of the bulkhead, although why I can hear it clear as a bell in the cab is a mystery.  I am wondering if there is any sound deadening missing as there is quite a bit of engine noise intrusion in the cabin.  Checked the vacuum pipes and they all seem to be whole.

 

Cheers

 

Jass

Edited 15 August, 201312 yr by Jaspire

Couldn't get a decent interior both my wife and myself liked without spending £400 on a leather interior out of an A1 which I dodged a slap for suggesting,. 

 

LOL........good dodge!

 

 

 

 

 

What can't wait is the gearbox.  1st and 2nd every 3 or 4 gearchanges are very difficult to disengage.  Releasing the clutch and depressing it again sorts it, but I forgot to tell wifey and she bricked it the first junction she came to.  I am going to try the gear shift reset as per the diesel geeks instructional video, however for some reason thrust or release bearing or TOB whichever you prefer to call it is jumping into my head.  Going to try adjusting the pedal up and see if the extra travel cures it.  The other thing is when you lift off the accelerator the clutch pedal drops a bit, or at least the clutch pedal pressure drops, when you press the gas again the pedal pressure returns back to normal and the pedal 'lifts'.  

 

 

Check your engine mounts. Sounds very like excessive engine movement due to a worn mount. A common issue on VAG diesels. 

LOL........good dodge!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check your engine mounts. Sounds very like excessive engine movement due to a worn mount. A common issue on VAG diesels. 

Cheers for that I'll have them checked when the motor is back into the garage...see below for why!!

 

Well this weekend keeps getting better!!

 

Did the Gear Shift reset yesterday, eventually.  The locking pin on the front of the box pushes in but won't got vertical to hold the selector in place while I release the spring loaded cable ends, so I did the put into 2nd gear version, which eventually worked.  Had to give a few goes as sometimes it was over stiff and others it was porridgey.  All well and good.

 

Until I went to pick up my wife last night and 5th and 6th gear disappeared.  Got it home, stopped the car, ran the box through the gears and they were all back.  Took it for a drive it they were there although reverse was a pain to engage.  Redid the reset this morning and noticed one of the bloody fingers is missing from the right hand cable end.  It is working now, but occasionally reverse, 1st and 2nd are a pain to move between.  Basically like it was before I started but a bit better in that it happens less often.  I now need to get this changed and hope that fixes the problem.  I was going to do this myself, but it looks as though I need to take the battery box and and air box out to do it myself and the bolts holding these in look likely to break if I try and force them.  I think the garage is the best place for it. A day wasted for bugger all.

 

Anyhoo, does anyone know if these can be bought anywhere except Skoda, and roughly how much they'll be, and can you buy them singly, etc.

 

Cheers m'dears

 

 

Jass

Edited 18 August, 201312 yr by Jaspire