Hi!

 

Today I became the proud owner of a 51 plate Octavia Ambiente estate. It has 150,000 miles on the clock. I have a couple of questions - 

• It has 74,500 miles on its current cambelt - does this need immediately replacing as a matter of urgency? it seems like it does
• There's some condensation in the headlights and indicators, is there an easy way to get rid of this and stop it?
• It smells a bit pongy inside, does the 'put an open bag of charcoal in' method work or will I have to scrub it?

Otherwise it seems great, apart from a bit of rubbing from on one of the brakes and a couple of little cosmetic issues.

 

I'd appreciate any advice about these issues or anything else in general I should know about,

 

Will

When my belt was due last i got told by main dealer -

First change 100k or 5 yrs after that 60k or 4 yr intervals.. change it.

Consation - some have had success if youre brave enough by putting the light unit in the oven ona low heat ti soften the adhesive to split them ipen for a good clean out..

What kind of pongy? As in the been sitting for a ling time damp and musty smell or wet dog pongy?

A really decent scrub down of all interior will do wonders and some silica cat litter in sicks to draw out any remaining moisture after to help avoid a repeat

Rubbing brakes issue - front or rear? May be the drums on the back need replacing. Not expensive, i did the drums, shoes, spring sets (these are main problem with seizing) and wheel cylinders on mine last yr.

if up front be worth checking the wear on the discs. If they are badly worn, the pad could be rubing in the spalled edges

Mine has been wet inside and mouldy and stinks...I've wiped it down and vacuumed it, then sprayed it with distilled vinegar left it to dry...then sprayed with anti bacterial and and wipe it down again, vinegar kills the Mould, not a lot else does...even bleach won't... Going to finish with a wet vacuum valet by a professional...

Ah! I didn't get a notification that there'd been replies. Thanks for the tips. Will try the scrub and vinegar trick, seems like it's had a wet dog in it or something.

 

Picking it up today and got it booked in for a cambelt and oil change as the 'service' light was flashing. 

 

Not sure for the brakes, didn't take it for a long test drive, will find out after I've picked it up. 

Right, picked it up and it's great! Booked in for a cambelt and service next Thursday. The main issue is that most of the interior electrics stopped working as SOON AS I got it home - interior lights wouldn't turn on when the door was opened, central locking relocking the car after unlock, only left hand puddle light working etc etc :/

 

I've figured out it's the famous VAG water ingress (also causing the smell - wet driver's side carpet) so i've opened up both inner wings and cleaned the six inches of mud out, let it dry and sealed it back up. Before pic can be seen below, it is now spick and span. 

 

http://imgur.com/IKA0pNI - there's a picture of what was in the wing. 

 

Will sort out muck in the top tray in front of the windscreen when I can get a hand getting the wipers off but I think what i've done so far should allow drainage. 

 

The brake issue isn't serious, think the back drums just want a good braying with a hammer and a scrub with a wire brush. 

For some reason the plugs to connect the original radio back in don't fit it (?) but that isn't a major issue. 

Did it have an after market radio fitted - if it did then it's probably had a harness adapter fitted.  also light problem probably down to the connector in the driver door window motor - plenty of threads on that problem including how to repair/replace the motor connections

yes it did have an aftermarket one fitted! Will I just have to remove the adaptor? 

 

Also thanks for that, hopefully that is the issue. The funny thing is that they were working then suddenly stopped..

 

Thanks! 

Could you possibly point me in the direction of such threads?

Door latch micro switch thread pinned at top of octy section.

easier just change the lock mech though..

alright cheers...despite trying everything I cannot get this site to email me when I get new replies, does anyone know how to enable that? I thought i'd turned all notifications on

Regarding damp inside, there are drain channels which lead from the scuttle panel to the bottom of the car around the heater air intake. Your car is certainly old enough to have gathered various bits of leaves, dust and gunk that can block these channels so don´t deprioritise it.

 

I couldn´t understand why my car was depositing water in the passenger footwell every time I turned right and it was this. The garage was rightly POed as the mechanic thrust a wire through the gunk from underneath and the car swiftly deposited about a gallon of water on him and the workshop floor!

 

If this is your problem, then the pollen filter will be completely wrecked by the water so a new one will be needed.

 

Ironically, this issue is what led to the demise of many, many Austin/Morris 1100/1300s as the upper bulkhead, footpanel and A-posts rotted through due to water collecting and ingress from these blocked drainage channels. On that score, I don´t believe it´s a corrosion issue on our cars.

Right, picked it up and it's great! Booked in for a cambelt and service next Thursday. The main issue is that most of the interior electrics stopped working as SOON AS I got it home - interior lights wouldn't turn on when the door was opened, central locking relocking the car after unlock, only left hand puddle light working etc etc :/

 

I've figured out it's the famous VAG water ingress (also causing the smell - wet driver's side carpet) so i've opened up both inner wings and cleaned the six inches of mud out, let it dry and sealed it back up. Before pic can be seen below, it is now spick and span. 

 

http://imgur.com/IKA0pNI - there's a picture of what was in the wing. 

 

Will sort out muck in the top tray in front of the windscreen when I can get a hand getting the wipers off but I think what i've done so far should allow drainage. 

 

The brake issue isn't serious, think the back drums just want a good braying with a hammer and a scrub with a wire brush. 

For some reason the plugs to connect the original radio back in don't fit it (?) but that isn't a major issue. 

 

HOLY ****!!! thats a hell of a collection of muck, my wings are rusting so I suspect they must be pretty damn mucky too..should have already looked and cleaned mine... slacker! 

 

I watched a video on how to replace the pollen filter 

and followed it to check the filter and vacuum it out whilst I didnt have a replacement handy..at the same time I pulled a shopping bag of leaves and drain hole blocking decaying material out of the drain tray void. 

 

The plastic tray cover comprises two pieces, the fist longer one as in the vid came off fairly easily after initial probing, didnt want to break it. The second one has a windscreen wiper through it and I dont have a puller to remove the arm, so I managed to leave it in place, but could lift the edge and fit the vacuum nozzle under it into the drain tray void to get rid of leaves and muck. 

 

My drivers door footlight is also not working, neither is my rear wiper arm/motor, though most other electrics is.

 

Airbag light is on as is engine /service light, my drivers window winder button works the opposite of the other 4 ie pull up to lower, is this normal? 

 

I've booked mine in for Tuesday for engine oil change, haldex oil change, possible rear brake disk and pads (calipers rusty as hell too) and there's a knocking front left, ARB or other suspension bush worn so would like to have poly bushes fitted...and my exhaust is rusty as f****...scared of that cost, though it could sound a bit noisier for my tastes, its very quiet.  

 

I had a mobile valet come round and clean the headlining, wet vacuum the carpets and seats, ran the car with heater on full for an hour in the rain, had to leave windows open a crack and tailgate open overnight but still a lot of condensation on the interior metal surfaces behind the lining, sun today helped a lot to dry it out and I think I've managed to get rid of the mould and smell.. that was 60 squid. 

 

I also want to refurb the wheel rims, they are ingrained with brake dust which cant be cleaned with just soap and water. 

 

Been reading up about VAG.com.. maybe a good OBD reader will help you with your electrical woes.. 

I´ve used Jif (Cif) on the wheel trims to good effect. it may score them lightly but it does lift the muck and the trims wear out anyway

I´ve used Jif (Cif) on the wheel trims to good effect. it may score them lightly but it does lift the muck and the trims wear out anyway

 

Thanks I'll look into that..I see its mentioned on other car forums...