Hi,

 

I'm a very amature mechanic and the jobs I carry out are not much more than fluid/filter changes, spark plugs and the such like.

 

Today I tried to drain/flush/refill the coolant as when I got the car it had plain water in, no anti-freeze.

 

The problem I had was I couldn't release the coolant drain at the bottom of the radiator. I didn't realise it was a sort of bayonet system, I was simply trying to unscrew.

 

In the end I gave up and took the pipe on at the very bottom, engine side.

 

Trouble started when I ran the engine with the flush in the system. All went fine until the  engine reached temperature and then GUSH, the coolant drained out the tap - looks like I'd loosened it trying to undo it.

 

Now I could see it open and how to close it I thought "jobs a good 'un", I'll close it, refill with proper coolant and that'll be it.

 

Sadly not, looks like I've damaged the tap at the bottom of the radiator. Fine when standing but start the engine and bring it up to temp and it starts leaking.

 

No I feel like a prat but more importantly I can't find the part available anywhere.

 

For clarity, it's the part in the first photo at the top here:

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/207323-14mpi-changing-thermostat-and-flushing-coolant-system/

 

I've checked the obvious places such as Europarts, GSW and ebay. Doesn't help that I'm not 100% sure what it's called.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the thing isn't it?  Skoda dealership is the obvious place to buy one from, but that Ebay listing is your 'sofa shopping' alternative, with added risk that it isn't actually the right part, or not as good quality as the genuine item.  Phone your nearest Skoda dealer or TPS with your reg number and get a price and ideally part number, then you can make an informed choice.

I still have the whole front end on my Fabia which is being scrapped in 2 weeks.  If this tap is easy to remove from the rad itself, then you are welcome to mine?

Thanks for the prompt replies.

 

Wino - Obvious to most, not to me, as daft as that sounds. I didn't think a Skoda dealer would carry parts for a car as old as this (or would be very expensive). I'm sure this shows my lack of knowledge more than anything. I will give the most local dealer/TPS  a ring rather/(or before) risking an ebay purchase. Many thanks.

 

devonutopia - Yes definitely if it's easy to remove and the right part then name your price and postage. 

 

Although this is my first post I've been an unsigned-up lurker for a few months now and this site has been a wealth of knowledge while fixing minor problems. Bought this Fabia about 4 months back, really like it. Nothing fancy about them but quite charming. Kind of reminds me of a Peugeot 205 or MKI Golf, both cars I loved driving a few years back now.

Edited 23 July, 201411 yr by RichardSwt

Genuine Skoda one is even cheaper. http://www.skodaparts.com/product/fabia-bottom-hose-adapter-2000-2007-34678

The VW group are pretty good for spare parts supply; I should think you could buy just about anything for a Mk1 Fabia still.  I can still get a good proportion of the parts for my '91 Mk2 Golf.

Seems daft now, but my first point of call was always http://www.eurocarparts.com/ - I assumed they would be cheaper. I think looking at the offical VAG sites will be my first port of call now. Seems a better idea to buy official parts as well.