12 hours ago, 4StringBass said:

Today I replaced the timing belt, water pump, idlers, aux belt, coolant bottle and coolant.  Very satisfying once it was finished and the engine was running.  That first start up is always tense!  Anyone attempting yourself, the top belt cover is a pig to get off, clearly designed to be fitted as the engine was being built, not to be messed about with afterwards.

Congratulations, this must be a long job...

Did you take some pics? It would be great to write a ‘How to guide´!  

3 hours ago, Bap33 said:

Congratulations, this must be a long job...

Did you take some pics? It would be great to write a ‘How to guide´!  

I only took one photo.  Having now done it, I'd be happy writing a How To the next time I do one.  Having the workshop manual is a must, and having the quick release tool for the diesel pipes would have made the jon much easier, which I didn't have.

On 15/10/2021 at 20:59, freelunch said:

Picked up the Sportline today after its fifth annual service, hence my fifth annual post.

 

The Marshall Škoda dealership in Croydon has been very easy to deal with, from sale to after-sale servicing. Very pleasant people, well organised and, considering Covid, reliable.

I booked the 280 in for a “while you wait” oil service at this dealer and was told by the Service Receptionist to make sure I got there first so they’d get straight onto it. I was first there at 07.30. I’d notice that a number of cars had driven down the side of the building. Anyway, I went straight in @08.00 when they opened the doors-only to find they’d let other customers in from the back, so I was now forth in line!
I booked it in and she said she’d call me about 16.00 to let me know what time it “should” be ready. I said hold on, this is a “while you wait” service to which she answered “Can’t be - we don’t do that. Who told you that you could wait?” “That would be you!” says I.
So that was that, I left saying - loudly - “Well done…. Because you’re a liar, you’ll never, ever be getting my money!” 

25 minutes ago, numskull said:

I booked the 280 in for a “while you wait” oil service at this dealer...

Ha! Literally, the service would have been done while you wait, if you had wanted to wait all day. (I used to work in advertising.) I do feel your pain.

 

I drop my car off in the early am, take the train home after 09:30 when my Freedom Pass kicks in, and come back the next day after my Freedom Pass kicks in. No sweat.

 

Bill Bryson called the UK "the land of low expectations" or something like that, and keeping that in mind serves to keep me from being overly disappointed these days. 

 

Um, when I say these days, I mean the last 35 years. 😂

Got a new badge for the bonnet, only problem is  I don't have a car to put it on yet  😐  gonna debadge the back as well, don't like them  letters on the boot.

I agree with you; I removed the wording on the hatch - looks so much better IMO - and the tacky plastic L&K script on the front wings. 

Every one to their own ,I see nothing wrong with the gloss black superb and 4x4 on the back of our car, it's about time Skoda were willing to show how proud they are of their products, and yes I know it is owned by the vag group.Just seems strange that the car is liked but not the name of the car, I suppose it could be worse and called 'autobiography' at least L&K realy means something.

Martin.

 

I switched to winter tyres yesterday.  

I've used used my brand new wireless impact wrench to remove the screws. Very impressed to note that, I had to select the max torque at 400Nm to get them out. For some of them, it wasn't even enough ! I had to use a manual wrench with an extension  😮 ! Very surprised since I always use a torque wrench at 140Nm to screw them in ! 

At least confirmed discussion I had with some 'Facom' and 'Snap On' experts about torque wrenches for my job 3 years ago. They told me that depending on environmental constraints (heat/loads/etc.) the loosening torque can be up to 4 times the tightening torque!

Considering a torque wrench is sized to 125% of its max value (Facom information, also confirmed by Snap'On), never use a torque wrench to loosen your screws, it can seriously damage the torque wrench! If you can switch its mechanism it's only to tighten reverse thread screws! 

 

Edited 13 November, 20214 yr by Bap33

I washed it, using the Autoglym Polar system on a pressure washer.

Looks quite sparkly now.

On 22/10/2021 at 08:55, boydeee said:

I recently swapped my standard rear discs and pads to EBC greenstuff pads and EBC discs. 

 

My originals had only 25k miles on them but the pads were nearly worn through and the discs looked horrendous (like they all seem to).

 

I've only covered around 80 miles since replacing them but so far they're excellent. 

 

The caliper carrier bolts were not the best fun to remove! The lack of space on my 272 involved a few swear words on my part 😂

I've covered about 450 miles since replacing the rear discs and pads.

 

So far so good. The black coating looks so much nicer than the previous rust! 

 

1x wheel sent away for refurb, all the others getting ceramic coated for winter. We will see if it’s any good or not worth it 

17 minutes ago, ApertureS said:

1x wheel sent away for refurb, all the others getting ceramic coated for winter. We will see if it’s any good or not worth it 

Interesting. Let us know how that goes.

After my wife crunched one of my wheels I also need to look at a bit of wheel refurbing as well. However, I think I'm going to get them colour changed powder coated to match the colour of the car - black magic. Same price as to have them diamond cut at £60+vat per corner. Just waiting for a gap in the dairy to get it booked in.  

So the reason I was ceramic coating was because 1 of my wheels was being refurbed, 1 week away due to a small mark caused by a tyre fitter. This is the state I got the new wheel back in. 
damaged, bubbly, rough, wrong colour, absolute state. 
 

@ApertureSGutted. Are they going to re-do it?

1 minute ago, boydeee said:

@ApertureSGutted. Are they going to re-do it?

I think it’s beyond redoing now, they’ve cut the diamond cut so low they can’t do it again. 
someone’s gonna have to pay for a brand new wheel it seems!

Just now, ApertureS said:

I think it’s beyond redoing now, they’ve cut the diamond cut so low they can’t do it again. 
someone’s gonna have to pay for a brand new wheel it seems!

Oh. I don't think I can write the word I just said out loud! 

 

Hopefully the refurb place will be quick and get you a replacement with no dragging of their heels. It's not like they can deny responsibility!

 

 

did up north and back in two days - filled the car before leaving and returned with a half-tank. Not bad for a full load and sleet on the way up and -3 on the way back. Average according to the computer is around 5.2l/100 for these two trips. Can't complain. 300 from here and a good 50km messing around in town up there; 650 for a half tank really isn't too shabby. lots of Webasto use, too.

Did notice one thing on the way home, though: I cleaned the lights with a paper towel / napkin at Vaajakoski and the light output was much, much better afterwards. Surprised but at least I know now.

Also will get an offer on a Lazer Linear 18 elite shortly, as I really do need more light out the front and a mount below the number plate should mean i don't get quite so dazzled by the falling snow... maybe.

Edited 22 November, 20214 yr by brettikivi
minor edits

Also replaced my interior bulbs with LEDs. Bit of a nightmare, but hey ho. Still not sure how to handle the front door warning lights, and the front interior appears to stay on with a really dim glow... <sigh>. This is with Philips Ultinon W5Ws. Hmm. Might have to bite the bullet on the hypercolor ones - at least then I also get 4000K not 6000K.

 

 . Bret

 

Just gets better doesn’t it... rear ended today.

Quick pollen filter change. €10 Mahle from AutoDoc.

 

5 minute job following the instruction below. Nice to come across a job that has been designed to be easy to do.

 

 

I finally got a retractable towbar fitted at my local Skoda dealer - nice neat job and a reasonable price too.  I had thought that the new Combis got electronic release but this one is manual

48 minutes ago, Legacy said:

I finally got a retractable towbar fitted at my local Skoda dealer - nice neat job and a reasonable price too.  I had thought that the new Combis got electronic release but this one is manual

 

Any more info on that (type / fitter / price) as I'm still thinking about one for our kodiaq for the bike rack...

1 hour ago, Legacy said:

I finally got a retractable towbar fitted at my local Skoda dealer - nice neat job and a reasonable price too.  I had thought that the new Combis got electronic release but this one is manual

Did you have towbar prep already installed? I didn't think that a factory retractable towbar was possible without the prep from the factory & certainly not cheap which is why most people go aftermarket bars. More info if you can.

2 hours ago, skomaz said:

 

Any more info on that (type / fitter / price) as I'm still thinking about one for our kodiaq for the bike rack...

 

It was an 'official' Skoda integrated towbar (branded ACPS Automotive) and was supplied and fitted for €1,000 all in (car already had factory towbar prep).  In  terms of alternatives, I've had two Peugeots with the Westfalia removable tow hitch.  Its a very neat job but one fault that it has is that the electrical socket swivels so that it can be hidden.  Unfortunately, it swivels to hide in the same direction that a trailer socket has to be swiveled to lock into position which means that you need to use two hands and usually have to kneel to connect it.  That's fine if the ground is dry and you're towing a trailer but its a right pain when you're carrying a bike rack as there's no room between the rack and the car for you to fit into.  The Skoda towhitch has the electrical socket integrated so there's no need for the socket itself to swivel.  Worth keeping an eye out for if you decide to go for an aftermarket towbar.

 

2 hours ago, Colin170CR said:

Did you have towbar prep already installed? I didn't think that a factory retractable towbar was possible without the prep from the factory & certainly not cheap which is why most people go aftermarket bars. More info if you can.

 

I think that all Irish cars have towbar prep as standard - I'm not sure how UK cars are specced but I didn't spot 'trailer hitch preparation' on the UK spec sheet.  As above, its branded ACPS Automotive and was approximately a third more expensive than aftermarket fitters here.  I reckoned that it was worth it as the car is only a few months old so I'd have warranty concerns and some suppliers here didn't think that they'd be able to code the car so I'd have to live with any sensor issues while the tow hitch was visible.  I was also concerned that some of them seemed to use tap splice connectors and I don't like that approach.

 

9 hours ago, Steviedakota said:

Quick pollen filter change. €10 Mahle from AutoDoc.

 

5 minute job following the instruction below. Nice to come across a job that has been designed to be easy to do.

 

 

WARNING

 

Err... The cabin filter isn't in the right position. It unfortunately is upside down in this video. Look at the arrow printed on the filter side

The flow direction is downwards. And normally, you have to insert a plate (tool T10532) under the filter prior to pull it out. This tool shall also remain in position to protect the air blower from dust and leaves, which have to be removed before inserting the new cabin filter. Only then, the tool can be removed before putting the cover plate back in place.