Hi everyone

 

Bought a 2004 Fabia VRS few months ago - mileage 110k. As far as I can tell everything runs pretty smooth when driving.

 

Took to Skoda dealership for full service a week ago, and they carried out a health check.

 

Bits and bobs need attention, but my main concern from the health check is the following.

 

1) Engine intercooler leaking oil  -  parts + Labour £565

2) EGR Valve leaking oil - parts + labour £313

 

With the EGR valve, my friend has suggested a remap (quoted £210 for stage 1 map 165BHP from mobileecotuning with EGR delete and blanking plate) I'm very tempted for the increase in power (although I doubt I'll be pushing the car very hard anyway - I want to preserve other components) - my question is will this eliminate the issue with the EGR valve oil leak? If so I'm pretty sold on this.

 

Regarding the engine intercooler oil leak, I'm really unsure what to do with this. Would it be worth having an independent mechanic having a look over to try and see what the issue is?

 

I've been told Skoda have 15 minutes to carry out entire health check on car, so would they just be assuming the worst due to visual oil? Or do you think it would be credible an entire new intercooler would be required.

 

Car serviced well, cambelt done 30k miles ago but the turbo has never been replaced.

 

I was just hoping to receive some advice on what the best thing to do in my situation is - unfortunately I'm really quite strapped for cash at the moment so looking for cheapest options possible.

 

Thank you

If you are paying (1) and (2) amount of money, you may as well fit a fmic + EGR delete pipe.

On the contrary, I don't have money to splash out on my Fabia... Yet. 

 

I want to know if the above should be of concern, and if so, what the cheapest option viable would be. I don't have £800 to spend on repairs.

Neither is a significant problem in my opinion.

Some seasoned vRS owners will be along shortly to supply recommendations. I suspect that no action at all might be an option.

don't get too worried the intercooler/oil fume condenser is probably "leaking"  from the pipe joint at the bottom--(if you had a serious leak it would be giving you loss of boost and therefore performance)  what it really means is there is a fair bit in there(normal) and    it wants the pipe disconnecting and draining /cleaning out  and even maybe a new O ring if your feeling rash :p     the egr is maybe in the same vein if it's dripping from the bottom of the pipe connection,   however if the oil is coming from the two small breather holes on each side of the body it probl'y means the small seal inside has gone( not surprising @110K)    which means a new /secondhand one or a "Wingnut stealth race valve mod"    I would consult a recommended local VAG specialist and stay away from THAT stealership    I believe our cousins across the pond have a saying re:  mummy bear saying to baby bear    " I smell mollasses"

Edited 30 January, 201610 yr by cheshire cat

Neither is a significant problem in my opinion.

Some seasoned vRS owners will be along shortly to supply recommendations. I suspect that no action at all might be an option.

 

Thank you, this is what I was hoping to hear.

 

don't get too worried the intercooler/oil fume condenser is probably "leaking"  from the pipe joint at the bottom--(if you had a serious leak it would be giving you loss of boost and therefore performance)  what it really means is there is a fair bit in there(normal) and    it wants the pipe disconnecting and draining /cleaning out  and even maybe a new O ring if your feeling rash :p     the egr is maybe in the same vein if it's dripping from the bottom of the pipe connection,   however if the oil is coming from the two small breather holes on each side of the body it probl'y means the small seal inside has gone( not surprising @110K)    which means a new /secondhand one or a "Wingnut stealth race valve mod"    I would consult a recommended local VAG specialist and stay away from THAT stealership    I believe our cousins across the pond have a saying re:  mummy bear saying to baby bear    " I smell mollasses"

 

Again, cheers, the Stealership I went to suggested that the oil could eventually make its way into the turbo causing failure, causing extra loss of money... I think I'll ask a mates dad to check where the oil is coming from in terms of the intercooler - and whether it would merit draining/ replacing hoses or O-ring.

 

As for the EGR valve, would it make sense to get this mapped out? I understand they're not exactly essential nor long-lasting in the TDI's.

 

The dealership I went to also quoted £196.44 for a new battery as it's fairly weak, and £150 per headlight as they're opaque apparently (you can see my gallery for picture) - As far as I'm concerned of all the vehicles I've owned, the Fabia lights up the road better than any other so I hardly see this as essential! Guess they're just trying to fleece people.

Oil in the intercooler is pretty common. If you do a serach for the elephant hose mod that will eliminate the oil collecting at the bottom of the intercooler. Might be worth taking the lower pipe off draining the oil and replacing in if the connectors are too worn.

Egr can be mapped out cheaply.

Batteries can be had for £80 if you look online

And the headlights will polish up if you buy one of the kits or a second hand set will cost you around £40-50.

Ok so you have mutiple options really.

 

cheapest would be as suggested elephant mod, scrap yard EGR, or ask here. Its possible your EGR is blocked up and leaking. Intercooler leaking oil, this depends on where its leaking is it the inter cooler or the piping, it may well be perished rubber seals on the pipes connecting to intercooler. Its very common for these the leak, and self tape ins are common place on vrs :P If its the intercooler, you should be able to pick up a used one dirt cheap. You really need to get your head under and determine where/ what is leaking.

 - And maybe dont go to Skoda, they like to drum up business, a independent VW garage would be better, i know its hard to find a decent trust worthy mechanic, maybe check the net for recommendations.

 

 -The only way to maintain these cars cheap, is really to get yourself a Haynes manual, tools, and use this forum.   

Oil in the intercooler is pretty common. If you do a serach for the elephant hose mod that will eliminate the oil collecting at the bottom of the intercooler. Might be worth taking the lower pipe off draining the oil and replacing in if the connectors are too worn.

Egr can be mapped out cheaply.

Batteries can be had for £80 if you look online

And the headlights will polish up if you buy one of the kits or a second hand set will cost you around £40-50.

 

 

 

Thank you, I'm very limited on my mechanical knowledge so I'll ask a friend to look at the intercooler - I've heard it's a bit of a squeeze in there... I'll go for the remap with EGR delete, looks like it make sense to do that and I'm kind of itching to get a stage 1 map done :P

 

Battery I'll sort next when I can afford unless it lets me down. As for headlghts, might give them a go when it starts to warm up - did a cracking job on my old hyundai coupe headlights with 3 different grits of sandpaper wet & dry and some t-cut.

Ok so you have mutiple options really.

 

cheapest would be as suggested elephant mod, scrap yard EGR, or ask here. Its possible your EGR is blocked up and leaking. Intercooler leaking oil, this depends on where its leaking is it the inter cooler or the piping, it may well be perished rubber seals on the pipes connecting to intercooler. Its very common for these the leak, and self tape ins are common place on vrs :p If its the intercooler, you should be able to pick up a used one dirt cheap. You really need to get your head under and determine where/ what is leaking.

 - And maybe dont go to Skoda, they like to drum up business, a independent VW garage would be better, i know its hard to find a decent trust worthy mechanic, maybe check the net for recommendations.

 

 -The only way to maintain these cars cheap, is really to get yourself a Haynes manual, tools, and use this forum.   

 

Nice one, as said I'll get the intercooler looked at by somebody who knows what they're doing. 

 

I won't go to skoda for any repairs, considering they're wanting £190 for a new battery   Car has full skoda service history though so I was happy to pay extra to get that little green stamp.

 

Do you know of any links to Haynes manuals? Couldn't find any on the web.

 

Cheers!

Agree with above comments, nothing to worry about. The EGR valves are known for leaking out of the 'tell tale' hole in the side, its just charge air leaking past the egr valve stem seal which has a small amount of oil in it due to the turbo & CCV. Same thing with the pipe at the bottom, a new seal on the connector can improve it but they always weep a little bit of oil. My superb had about 8K on it when i first had the undertray off and it was already starting to look a little greasy

Edited 30 January, 201610 yr by SuperbTWM

My local guy spotted oil on the bottom of my cooler and from what I can see from above there is some condensed oil at the bottom pipe. I logged boost, it's fine, follows specified all the way to the top. I'm sure that join could be improved but it's moved way down on the list of priorities. I don't really trust dealership health checks, they're couched in doing you a favour but don't forget they are sales and margin driven. A second opinion or some logging will never do any harm.

My local guy spotted oil on the bottom of my cooler and from what I can see from above there is some condensed oil at the bottom pipe. I logged boost, it's fine, follows specified all the way to the top. I'm sure that join could be improved but it's moved way down on the list of priorities. I don't really trust dealership health checks, they're couched in doing you a favour but don't forget they are sales and margin driven. A second opinion or some logging will never do any harm.

The funny thing is, If you had a car in warranty they would probably say both of these issues are normal and try and worm their way out of fixing tem

The funny thing is, If you had a car in warranty they would probably say both of these issues are normal and try and worm their way out of fixing tem

Init just

Nice one, as said I'll get the intercooler looked at by somebody who knows what they're doing. 

 

I won't go to skoda for any repairs, considering they're wanting £190 for a new battery   Car has full skoda service history though so I was happy to pay extra to get that little green stamp.

 

Do you know of any links to Haynes manuals? Couldn't find any on the web.

 

Cheers!

 

from £5 bid to £12 new on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Haynes-manual-for-Skoda-Fabia-w-to-06-reg-/222006595015?hash=item33b09fcdc7:g:shoAAOSw5dNWpzMj

from £5 bid to £12 new on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Haynes-manual-for-Skoda-Fabia-w-to-06-reg-/222006595015?hash=item33b09fcdc7:g:shoAAOSw5dNWpzMj

 

I suppose it's a very worthy investment  

I suppose it's a very worthy investment

That and vcds can save you a cowin' fortune and a load of hassle

I suppose it's a very worthy investment

Even if its just knowledge, when your going to a machanic and they tell you that the flux capacitor needs bleeding, check your Haynes and then tell em there pulling your ****er :P

Is the EGR leaking oil or coolant? EGR has no oil supply right, just coolant?

I'll have to have a look for oil in my intercooler too!

definitely get your own battery