Hi!

 

I bought a 2004 MKI in may, and need some advice.

 

My plan so far:

1. Find out what service needs to be done

2. Service the car

3. Establish a service routine

 

 

At the most basic I need to change the oil filter and air filter, this I know.

However I'm not sure if there is anything else that needs to be done or needs checking?

 

Do I need to change the fuel filter also? Is there a set interval when the fuel filter needs replacing?

 

Thanks for any advice!

Which engine?

47 minutes ago, JHAnd said:

My plan so far:

1. Find out what service needs to be done

2. Service the car

3. Establish a service routine

Well yes, but that starts with "which engine and gearbox?" because some engines have belt drive and some chain drive for the camshaft, and chain drives don't have a belt replacement interval; similarly transmission oil varies with manual, slushbox auto or DSG...

 

Also, a Skoda dealer may be able to report on servicing done to date...

Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

 

The engine is one of the less important system/components of the car, you want to check first things like brakes, steering, suspension (all three include tyres) then on to important electricals like lights, heater blower motor, wipers, horn, etc..

 

If you've got a petrol engine then yes, engine oil and filter, air filter, spark plugs, perhaps using appropriate cleaners on MAF and throttle body, perhaps a coolant change is required (brake fluid), perhaps change of transmission fluid, perhaps a change of power steering fluid.

 

You can get a Haynes workshop manual which will include regular servicing schedules (how good it is for other work on the cars I do not know).

Edited 3 November, 20223 yr by nta16
ETA: Please note - I am not a mechanic or expert in anything.

If you go here, click Download this file, then pick the last option that appears it is the official word on all Fabia servicing. MK1 Fabia workshop manuals - SKODA Fabia - BRISKODA

 

 

"Fabia Inspection and Maintenance.pdf" 

Edited 3 November, 20223 yr by Breezy_Pete

6 hours ago, TMB said:

Which engine?

6Y2 Hatchback Compis

47kW 1.2 L Petrol engine.

Timing belt.

Manual transmission.

Engine code: AZQ

Transmission code: GSB

 

I'll see if I can add this to my signature

7 minutes ago, JHAnd said:

Timing belt.

No; chain.

How many km has it done?

 

 

 

^ Auxiliary belt.

Ok! Thanks, I thought this was the timing belt... where is the chain located then?

 

 

11 minutes ago, Breezy_Pete said:

How many km has it done?

 

I'm not sure how to read the odometer correctly (see picture)

Is it 172131 km or 17213,1 km?

 

Given your level of knowledge and lack of specialist tools I would simply pay a fastfit centre to change the oil and filter and probably the sparkplugs.

 

You can change the air filter yourself but there really isn't much else that needs regular attention. 

28 minutes ago, JHAnd said:

Ok! Thanks, I thought this was the timing belt... where is the chain located then?

 

 

Behind it under the aluminum cover on that end of the engine. No need to think any more about it.

Your odometer is saying 172131km covered. Engine should be OK for quite a few more.

EGR valve may be close to end of life if factory original (quite likely not). 

 

I would personally get basic service and health check. 

There is no harm in changing the Oil, Filters and plugs, it is relatively inexpensive. 
I'd then be looking to have the antifreeze and brake fluid tested to determine the health of those.

It is always worth having safety critical items checked such as steering and suspension, just to be on the safe side.
 

25 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

Given your level of knowledge and lack of specialist tools I would simply pay a fastfit centre to change the oil and filter and probably the sparkplugs.

 

You can change the air filter yourself but there really isn't much else that needs regular attention. 

 

 

I have some knowledge and tools since I have a 1979 VW bus that I'm working on, rebuilding the engine myself. I don't think changing oil and air filter will be a problem... also I like fixing things myself.

 

 

 

 

37 minutes ago, JHAnd said:

 

 

I have some knowledge and tools since I have a 1979 VW bus that I'm working on, rebuilding the engine myself. I don't think changing oil and air filter will be a problem... also I like fixing things myself.

 

Knock yourself out, you'll need different tools so good luck with it.

36mm socket for oil filter cap. 6mm hex key for sump plug.

🙂

46 minutes ago, Breezy_Pete said:

36mm socket for oil filter cap. 6mm hex key for sump plug.

🙂

 

Spark plug socket will also be different from the Type 2 as well.

Might be an idea to check/change the cabin filter too.

 

 

How do I know if the fuel filter needs changing or not?

 

 

I noticed that the car needs more gas in reverse gear, and motor more easily shuts down.

Edited 3 November, 20223 yr by JHAnd

18 minutes ago, JHAnd said:

How do I know if the fuel filter needs changing or not?

 

 

I noticed that the car needs more gas in reverse gear, and motor more easily shuts down.

 

Unless you live in a third world country you won't need a fuel filter on a petrol engined car like yours.

9 hours ago, sepulchrave said:

 

Unless you live in a third world country you won't need a fuel filter on a petrol engined car like yours.

Thanks that's very good to know. Then I'll leave the filter be.

18 hours ago, JHAnd said:

How do I know if the fuel filter needs changing or not?

If the engine starts losing power on full throttle, you need a new fuel filter, but the book change interval is way too low.

 

Also, I'm not certain about the GSB, but it's not uncommon for reverse gear to be a longer ratio than first these days.

20 minutes ago, KenONeill said:

If the engine starts losing power on full throttle, you need a new fuel filter, but the book change interval is way too low.

 

Also, I'm not certain about the GSB, but it's not uncommon for reverse gear to be a longer ratio than first these days.

 

It seems that fuel filter change is only applicable to diesel engines as sepulchrave mentions above... also the "Inspection and maintenance" manual only mentions fuel filter change when referring to diesel engines, which seems to prove sepulchraves point.

 

Where did you read about fuel filter change interval?