Ok so I need to make a start on the list of problems with my car.

 

One item I reckon I can sort myself is the coolant temperature sensor and radiator fan switch.

 

So I’m guessing that the main parts will be the new coolant tank and the actual radiator fan.

 

Are there likely to be any other parts I need? 

That's confused me.   The coolant temperature sensor isn't in the coolant tank, and the radiator fan switch isn't in the radiator fan...

The garage has told me the coolant temperature sensor and the radiator fan switch are leaking 

OK. If you trust the garage, or if you have looked carefully and seen these leaks, the CTS has an o-ring which can be replaced for pennies, and the radiator thermoswitch usually just needs tightening an eighth of a turn or so if it's leaking.  If you can't find the part number of the o-ring, I can look it up for you tomorrow.

1 hour ago, Wino said:

OK. If you trust the garage, or if you have looked carefully and seen these leaks, the CTS has an o-ring which can be replaced for pennies, and the radiator thermoswitch usually just needs tightening an eighth of a turn or so if it's leaking.  If you can't find the part number of the o-ring, I can look it up for you tomorrow.

Well they gave me a quote that was significantly more than a few pence, and this included bleeding the coolant system (although granted the coolant does need changing). 

 

Would it be worth putting a new coolant temperature sensor in, as they don’t appear very expensive? (Assuming an el cheapo one like this will do the trick:    https://m.onlinecarparts.co.uk/mapco-7932579.html

 

I’ve done a quick google search and I can’t find the part number, if you can find it for me that would be great.

 

Is there anything in particular I need to look out for with the leaks?

 

finally one last question, where abouts is the radiator fan switch 

 

edited: I’ve just been out to look at it, there is some staining to the plastic around the CTS, although doesn’t seem damp, although my car has been parked up for several hours, and hasn’t gone very far today

Edited 5 March, 20197 yr by Wench

@Wench - The first rule of VAG sensor replacement is "buy cheap, buy twice" (once for the cheapo, and again for a genuine part in about 4 months).

 

Next, by "CTS", do you mean the one that feeds the instruments and EMS, or the one that drives the warning light? The one that drives the warning light is part of the coolant expansion tank, and the tank can leak.

21 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

@Wench - The first rule of VAG sensor replacement is "buy cheap, buy twice" (once for the cheapo, and again for a genuine part in about 4 months).

 

Next, by "CTS", do you mean the one that feeds the instruments and EMS, or the one that drives the warning light? The one that drives the warning light is part of the coolant expansion tank, and the tank can leak.

 

If cheapo part last four months that will do (get me through MOT). 

 

I can only assume from description given above, and from what else I’ve read, we are talking about the sensor under the engine cover, not the one on the coolant bottle. (I had the coolant bottle replaced a couple of years ago.)

Is there anything wrong with the operation of the current CTS? Other than a possible leak where it is fitted?

CTS O-ring is item 19 here https://skoda.7zap.com/en/cz/fabia/fab/2003-225/1/121-121075/

Part number N90316801

 

Radiator thermoswitch is just above where the bottom coolant hose attaches to the radiator. Not very easy access, better from below. 29mm deep socket, or spanner required for tightening. Your garage should have something suitable.

Photos of two possible “offending” coolant areas. 

 

Dont look like there are any leaks immediately around the coolant bottle. Staining on plastic surround for switch isn’t easy to see 

20 minutes ago, Wino said:

Is there anything wrong with the operation of the current CTS? Other than a possible leak where it is fitted?

Fault code(s) are coming up on the reader. Not sure which ones until I plug it in, but I did know there was a fault before it went into the garage.

 

red coolant warning light comes on when it’s a bit nippy (about 6 degrees), which isn’t quite right!

OK, the part number for the CTS is 06A919501A. If you put that into ebay with the word genuine after it, you'll see various results at much better value than from a dealer, and some include the o-ring and retaining clip, such as this one https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORIGINAL-GENUINE-2-PIN-COOLANT-TEMPERATURE-SENSOR-VW-SKODA-SEAT-AUDI-06A919501A/170785535072?epid=2288068336&hash=item27c39c7460:g:~UgAAOSwpDdU7eDh

 

I can't honestly see evidence of coolant leak from your photo, but as you say, always easier to see 'in the flesh'.

 Cheers I’ve bought one now. 

 

I may be able to ask another garage just to tighten up the radiator switch. If they want to charge an hours labour for it I can probably come up with a few more jobs for them to do at the same time 

1 hour ago, Wench said:

red coolant warning light comes on when it’s a bit nippy (about 6 degrees),

Can you make it go out and stay out for the rest of the day by driving about 30s, turning the engine off, and restarting immediately? If so, then that's a false alarm being thrown by deposits on the level sensor.

42 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

Can you make it go out and stay out for the rest of the day by driving about 30s, turning the engine off, and restarting immediately? If so, then that's a false alarm being thrown by deposits on the level sensor.

It’s intermittent. Will try the sensor I’ve bought, if that doesn’t fix the problem I will replace the coolant bottle 

2 hours ago, Wench said:

It’s intermittent. Will try the sensor I’ve bought, if that doesn’t fix the problem I will replace the coolant bottle 

It always is if it's the level sensor. It's more probable in cold weather but that's about all that's sure.

I'd advise replacing the whole thermostat housing which comes with sensor and thermostat already installed.

 

This is what eventually happens to older ones....

 

28 minutes ago, TMB said:

 

 

Is this the housing the sensor sits in?

Yeah, the grey bit sticking out is the sensor.

Is the radiator fan switch shown on here at all?

 

https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/etka/skoda/fab/225/121200/

Edited 8 March, 20197 yr by Wench

No.

It goes in the hole marked on this image. This is the side of the radiator that faces the engine. The yellow plugs are where the coolant hoses attach.

 

 

Thanks very much