Hi guys, and may I please start off by tendering my apologies for making my initial post a cry for help!!

 

Background/Intro

 

I am mainly a classic car owner/driver (Triumphs), however I normally keep one modern around for grunt work. Up until 2 months ago this was an Audi A6 Allroad, however an encounter with someone else's exhaust back box at 70mph prompted a change!

 

A quick look around, and my local Arnold Clark in Helensburgh had a 2012 (61 plate) Skoda Octavia 4x4 (NOT the Scout!!) estate, with 1.9 diesel. Manual box, 6 speed.

 

Now this ran fine for my mother for 2 month whilst I was away working (I am a seaman, Engineer by trade). I have ran it a wee while since coming back and it seemed to run fine.

 

Until  2 days ago. After moving the car I noticed an oil trail following. After some investigation (ie checking it was not from my classic!!) I have narrowed the source down to somewhere at the rear of the engine bay on the Skoda. It is not engine oil (it is clean oil apart from anything else, and smell is different), so that leaves me to thinking that it is either gearbox oil or power steering fluid, location suggests more likely gearbox?? I have not removed the plastic coverings to locate any further, due to a lack of ramp (slightly unwilling to crawl under a car on a trolley jack on a gravel driveway!)..

 

My main questions - does this sound like a common problem? Or can anyone give me any hints as too what might be the issue? I have no intention of doing anything myself, instead the car will go to a garage (most likely AA approved, as I have breakdown repair cover which has not been used in the four years I have had it so might as well be useful). However not knowing much about these cars, and being of an engineering sort I like to know what I might be looking at in terms of damage.

 

Many thanks for any help rendered,

 

Cheers,

 

Phil

Not going to be PAS fluid, since the power steering is electric.

2 months - it will still be covered by warranty - take it back.

 

With the under tray on it could be leaking from anywhere and just presenting itself where you see it.

 

Welcome to the forum BTW  :sun:

Electric Power Steering - it ain't that then lol!!

 

Update - I had the AA coem out to have a look, rather usefully they sent a VAG group technician out. He removed the undertray, and determined that the leak would appear to be coming from between the gearbox and the 4x4 unit. He thinks that maybe a seal has gone. There are no cracks or damage visible anyway.

 

So the car has gone back to Arnold Clark so they can have a look at it. Unfortunately the warranty is just out, the 60 days expired on 30th September!! However they have hinted that some reparation may be made due to the warranty only just being out, and I plan to push as well, as I am reasonably certain the leak more than likely started before the warranty expired, and it is simply bad luck I spotted it later. Only time will tell however.

 

Cheers,

 

Phil

I thought that you had 6 months when you purchase from a garage under consumer law :- http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/problem/the-second-hand--car-i-bought-has-a-problem-what-are-my-rights