Hi guys, It has been a while since I've posted on here since I haven't had a Skoda for years.   Last week I bought a yellow mk1 VRS hatchback as a project, I'll post regular updates as I go over all the little jobs that need attention.

It looks pretty clean from the outside.  What's the rest of it like?

Hi Mike, to be honest it's quite dirty inside and the paint is dull on the outside.   I've ordered a bissell spot clean pro and a brush for my drill so I can do a good job of cleaning the interior.   I started cleaning it inside today but it's hard work without the right tools

The driver's door card cleaned up nicely

 

I could do with tackling my door cards as that's a massive improvement.

Which brush did you use on the drill?

I only ordered the drill brush night, I used some random household cleaning brush I found knocking around the kitchen. I used autosmart g101 in a spray bottle and scrubbed it, then used a towel. I took all the seats and center console out this morning ready to clean the carpet next weekend after the drill brush and bissell extractor are delivered

 

Saturday afternoon update, I've clean the seats. The driver's being the worst now looks like something you'd consider sitting on.

Sunday afternoon update, had a go at the carpet today...not perfect. There's some pink and yellow stains that aren't coming out but I'm happy with the results, it's nice to know they are at least clean.

Got a little bit more done this weekend, the weather has been crap though so not as much as I'd of liked.

Interior back in, I've got water in the front passenger footwell though.

Not a suprise to find this mess. I've vacuumed it out but the rain was too much to do a proper job so I've just made sure the drains are unblocked and put it back together without the filter in.

 

I haven't checked the door membrane yet so it could be leaking through there. The central locking doesn't work on that door and I wouldn't be surprised if someone has been in there to look at it and not stuck the membrane back down. I had a mk1 Leon cupra about 10years ago and I remember that leaked and I fixed it with some really sticky stuff that comes in a roll, anyway I guess it's the same deal to fix Octavias too.

 

Edit. One last thing, I'd like some new Mat's, the driver's one is knackered and the nearside rear mat is missing. Can you still get genuine mats or shall I get some aftermarket ones from eBay?

 

Edited 13 February, 20224 yr by Ben99Felicia

1 hour ago, Ben99Felicia said:

Can you still get genuine mats or shall I get some aftermarket ones from eBay?

 

I went with this lot for a set for the Fabia.

1 hour ago, Ben99Felicia said:

I've got water in the front passenger footwell

I think I see why.  You seem to be on the right lines, with the note that the LHF arch liner needs cleaning out from the rear edge bottom.

On 13/02/2022 at 15:24, Ben99Felicia said:

 

 

That's some good progress so far and cleaning the carpet is something I keep meaning to do...

As for the crud behind the scuttle panel, that looks like it's never been done.  I don't think I've ever seen one so full of gunk and removing it all can only be a good thing.

Thanks for all the comments guys, I appreciate you all looking out for me and giving me advice.

 

I've been at it again today, Mot on Monday so I thought I'd better take a look at the lights. All the lights apart from one number plate light worked, not a problem I thought, I've got spare push fit bulbs.

Ah that's not what I wanted to see.

Hmm the bulbs replaced but how am I supposed to get the rest of the screws out?! Anyway tested the new bulb and guess what...the other one blew. Never mind, drilled the heads of the other side and replaced the bulb.   So both lights working but 4 screw "ends" to remove. I know I thought I'll pull the cover off the inside of the boot lid and see if I can remove the handle/trim panel and get a better look at it off the car...well blow me I could have changed the bulbs from inside the boot lid cover and left the screws alone, what a ******.

 

At this point the weather is taking another turn for the worst so I did something I hate doing, I bodged it by sticking the lenses back on with silicone, not my best work and something I will be fixing properly at some point in the future but at least I'm heading towards an MOT with some optimism.

 

What ever happens on Mondays mot test I'll be doing something to the car next week as I'm off work for the week so if it passes it'll be a service an a clean if it fails then I'll be fixing what ever that issue is.

So it failed the mot on the drives side CV boot, not a suprise as it was advised last mot. Got the new one fitted today and just got it back for a retest.

 

I also spent a bit more time on the scuttle leak.

 

I need to replace the grommet that's missing near the heater filter. It was full of silicone but not water tight. I've stuck gorilla tape over it for now as it's the best I could do. Anyone know what grommet is supposed to be there and where to get one from?

 

I can't help you with the grommet, sorry.  I just wanted to say well done for removing all that crud from the car.  It must weigh 2kg less now that all that mud & stuff has been removed!

Yeah there was a lot, still got the driver's side arch liner to clean out too.

 

Just got back from a family trip to IKEA for dinner, it's the first time properly driving it. The front anti roll bar bushes need changing, I can here them banging at slow speeds. I'll measure the ARB size and the size of the grommet tomorrow and get some ordered.

 

What temperature should it run at, I thought it would be 90 but it's more like 70 I think.

 

I presume the car has aircon but there isn't an aircon button as such. There's a button that says Econ!?

1 minute ago, Ben99Felicia said:

I presume the car has aircon but there isn't an aircon button as such. There's a button that says Econ!?

 

Not an Octy owner but I think that means that if you press the button then the system goes off?

Yeah I was thinking that maybe it means aircon off. The blowers stay on when you have Econ on so...aircon off/economy mode?

Back at it today. Got the driver's side arch cleaned out.

I've measured the anti roll bar, it's 20mm.

the missing grommet seems to be 20mm too, they sell a box of 100 for £2.69 at Screwfix, I only want one😂.

 

Also noticed that the sai pump mounts are broken, not sure what to do about that yet, I'll search the forum later.

15 hours ago, Ben99Felicia said:

I presume the car has aircon but there isn't an aircon button as such. There's a button that says Econ!?

 

It has climate control as standard, it's fairly basic but it works well.  Auto means the aircon pump is working, Econ not.  I tend to set a temperature in Auto and leave it to do its own thing.

 

15 hours ago, Ben99Felicia said:

Yeah I was thinking that maybe it means aircon off. The blowers stay on when you have Econ on so...aircon off/economy mode?

 

Econ just means that the aircon is off but the car will maintain the temperature without using the cooling facility of the aircon.  Basically it'll heat the car up and cool it as best it can but in the summer you won't be able to sit there at 18 degrees inside the car if the outside temp is in the low 20s.

 

38 minutes ago, Ben99Felicia said:

Also noticed that the sai pump mounts are broken, not sure what to do about that yet, I'll search the forum later.

 

Some people remove the SAI as it can be easier than fixing it.  There's a link here,

 

Edited 23 February, 20224 yr by skinnyman

3 hours ago, Ben99Felicia said:

Back at it today. Got the driver's side arch cleaned out.

I've measured the anti roll bar, it's 20mm.

the missing grommet seems to be 20mm too, they sell a box of 100 for £2.69 at Screwfix, I only want one😂.

 

Also noticed that the sai pump mounts are broken, not sure what to do about that yet, I'll search the forum later.

ref the airpump most motor factors will keep fuel pump bobbins in which will fit and couple of quid each (fixed mine)

I have read about all the engine bay deletes and I can see me doing that in the future but it looks easy enough to replace the mounts on the pump for now.   It seems like if if don't get the car remapped after the deletes it will probably throw a code even with the resistors in place.   What I'm saying is I'll get rid of all that extra gubbings when I'm more comfortable with the idea and I've got a plan.  The engine bay does look a lot tidier when it's all gone that's for sure.

 

I think I've found the correct mounts for the sai online, they're cheap so I'll order some and see how I get on.

 

 

On 22/02/2022 at 16:16, Ben99Felicia said:

need to replace the grommet that's missing near the heater filter. It was full of silicone but not water tight. I've stuck gorilla tape over it for now as it's the best I could do. Anyone know what grommet is supposed to be there and where to get one from?

Is THIS what you need?

Hi Mike, thanks I think I've sorted the grommet, I picked up a bag of 100 from Screwfix for £2.69. I'll report back after I've fitted it.

 

The link you posted leads me to a page with a diagram but the grommet isn't one in the picture.

13 minutes ago, Ben99Felicia said:

Hi Mike, thanks I think I've sorted the grommet, I picked up a bag of 100 from Screwfix for £2.69. I'll report back after I've fitted it.

 

The link you posted leads me to a page with a diagram but the grommet isn't one in the picture.

Apologies; I misinterpreted your need and thought you were looking for a seal for the air inlet under the scuttle.