Hi,

 

I am looking to buy my first Skoda, the cars seem to tick many box's and look a sound choice. I am currently looking at petrol estate 2007 Octavia 2.0 Tfsi VRS. It has about 97,000 on the clock, it runs well, sounds good, in reasonable condition given the age. On inspecting the engine, I checked the oil level and when removing the dipstick, a couple of tiny pieces of yellow plastic were coming out on the end of the dipstick by the oil level markings. I wiped them onto kitchen roll and dipped again another 2 times, each time what looked like tiny pieces of yellow plastic emerged on the stick end. We came to the conclusion it looked like the dipstick yellow surround. After hunting the internet, I found a comment referencing this as a common fault, that the dipstick can perish and needs replacing.

 

Ive since spoken to my local Skoda dealership, they have not heard of this problem there. I am aware i can easily change the dipstick, that is fine, however my concern is would these tiny plastic pieces have found there way into the engine and do damage? If i do buy the car, i am immediately servicing it, new cambelt kit etc and would get new dipstick fitted. I am just unsure whether I should buy this car? Any help is much appreciated? I have not seen too many estate versions of this car about at the mileage, spec and age I want and I do need to change asap as my car has had its day nearly. So if anyone can assist me or advise with this matter I would be very grateful.

 

Thanks

 

Drew

Depends on how long it has been going on for I suppose.

 

If it has just started it, I think you would be ok, if it has been happening a long time, it could clog various mesh filters if it makes it past the oil pickup mesh.  Hopefully the oil pickup would stop it. I'm not sure if they make the mesh on the pickup as small or smaller than the rest of engine and capillaries, it would be sensible if they did.

Never heard of this before, I look forward to reading further observations.

Nice one, cheers for the fast replies. As for length of time I am unsure, the owner had not noticed it before. The car has been dealer serviced for its life so you would hope it would been flagged up if it is noticeable. However, given the first answer implies the mesh may stop this progressing through the engine, but we don't know the size of mesh?? The pieces were small yellow cubes, 1mm or something squarish shape or smaller bits. Tiny pieces of solid yellow plastic. The top of the dip stick yellow casing appeared ok, maybe a little scrapped on top. So i suspect the perishing was further down the dip stick enclosed in the engine, but am not 100% on that. I just can't decide whether to walk away or not. As i said there arent too many like this one about right now. But if i have to wait for another similar car, so be it. But this car does tick every box i want, so a shame if this car is be avoided. Cheers.

I don't know the actual size of the pick up mesh. Google vRS  BWA oil pickup or similar and click on "images" or if you wanted to go further try and get a hold of a pickup to inspect. They are prone to clogging anyway, especially if oil is left on extended durations.

 

I'm not sure what you should do really, up to you. With any 10 yo car there are going to be things that are not perfect. At least with this one you are aware of it, it is the things you can't see or aren't aware of that can also catch you out.  You could ask the seller to do the oil pick up and perhaps offer a contribution to the bill regardless of if you buy the car on the condition you can see the pickup.... Plus if you buy obviously, that dip stick pipe needs replacing if that is what the contamination is from.

 

Edit: See for example pics at thread (for mk1 if you search you should find mk2 but won't be too much different):

 

 

 

Edited 8 March, 20179 yr by TheClient

3 hours ago, DrewSley said:

 

Ive since spoken to my local Skoda dealership, they have not heard of this problem there.

 

Typical Skoda response.

 

Hundreds of failed Tsi Engine/tension failures as highlighted on Briskoda. Dealer response   "  Never heard of that before "

Edited 8 March, 20179 yr by Auric Goldfinger

Your words here are much appreciated everyone. My mechanics knowledge is fairly basic, it makes much more sense now thanks to 'The Client'. That link you posted really helps to clear things up. Given immediate cam belt change is due, changing the oil mesh pickup seems no drama for my mechanic at same time it seems and new dipstick on top, defo won't break the bank. I'm used to changing oil every 5/6 thousand in my current car and have done for nearly a decade, she still runs sweet at 150,000. But it's time to get rid, before any nasty costs start appearing. If i get this Skoda, it will start getting very regular oil changes which will help  prevent blocked mesh in future. I know the guy won't chip in, he has already knocked few hundred off and either i buy the car or a dealer has offered him the same money, so it ain't worth the hassle for him. So i might just have to take a punt and gamble. Might have a word with my mechanic  tomorrow, bounce all this off him. A local indie garge ive used for well over a decade, so i trust him fully. He may have heard of this, or will have a much better understanding than i do anyway. Cheers for the help.   BTW Auric Goldfinger it seems your a local lad from my town too, doesn't sound like you like our local garage too much!!! I was in their the other week speaking to some jackass salesman kept trying to push a 1.2 pink skoda on me!! He never wanted to listen to owt i said, I gave up shopping at that garage there n then!!!

Where abouts in town are you, I'm down by Morrisons

 

Benfield/Lookers don't want my business when buying cars, they seem to think I'm doing them a favour by buying from them, never again. They service our cars but I buy from Rainworths in Mansfield.

Edited 8 March, 20179 yr by Auric Goldfinger

I'm coldbath road area, I've always used garages on camwell road. Pretty decent choice of garages down there over the years. Easy to find help with engines through to electrics in no time. Spoke with Benfields service dept today they were helpful enough with questions i had, but could shed no light on dipstick. However, the few times i've walked into the showroom over the years, i've walked out thinking WTF!!! Won't be giving them my business. But, then again I won't be giving money to any of our local showrooms, prices can be a right rip off in this area. I will check out Rainsworths cheers, I'm not in the know with decent garages, so it's good info for me.

Not heard of break up of the yellow plastic of the dipstick on Mk 2 but a few posts on the Mk 1 forum over the years.

Maybe it's an age thing for cars over a certain age or mileage. 

 

Here is one example that answers most of the questions:

 

 

12 hours ago, DrewSley said:

Your words here are much appreciated everyone. My mechanics knowledge is fairly basic, it makes much more sense now thanks to 'The Client'. That link you posted really helps to clear things up. Given immediate cam belt change is due, changing the oil mesh pickup seems no drama for my mechanic at same time it seems and new dipstick on top, defo won't break the bank. I'm used to changing oil every 5/6 thousand in my current car and have done for nearly a decade, she still runs sweet at 150,000. But it's time to get rid, before any nasty costs start appearing. If i get this Skoda, it will start getting very regular oil changes which will help  prevent blocked mesh in future. I know the guy won't chip in, he has already knocked few hundred off and either i buy the car or a dealer has offered him the same money, so it ain't worth the hassle for him. So i might just have to take a punt and gamble. Might have a word with my mechanic  tomorrow, bounce all this off him. A local indie garge ive used for well over a decade, so i trust him fully. He may have heard of this, or will have a much better understanding than i do anyway. Cheers for the help.   BTW Auric Goldfinger it seems your a local lad from my town too, doesn't sound like you like our local garage too much!!! I was in their the other week speaking to some jackass salesman kept trying to push a 1.2 pink skoda on me!! He never wanted to listen to owt i said, I gave up shopping at that garage there n then!!!

Just make sure you are comfortable with all the other aspects of the car, review these forums for a snag list (if you haven't already) and you a taking everything into account in assessing the deal and the price£££. Perfection is unlikely to be possible on a 10 year old / 100k car. Having said that, I sold our mk5 GT golf at 9 years / 70k miles and everything felt great.  Didn't want to let it go really. Best of luck.

Edited 9 March, 20179 yr by TheClient

12 hours ago, Auric Goldfinger said:

Where abouts in town are you, I'm down by Morrisons

 

Benfield/Lookers don't want my business when buying cars, they seem to think I'm doing them a favour by buying from them, never again. They service our cars but I buy from Rainworths in Mansfield.

 

Ask for Jack Atherton, the bosses son. Tell him Andy with the Octavia 230 from Harrogate sent you.