Hi

I have jsut bought myself a Octavia Vrs Estate 2004 Registered. I have some questions though that I hope you lot can help me with at the start of my Skoda relationship!!

1. Is it a good idea to purchase the cooler running thermostat that opens earlier to allow for less engine heat? If so should I be purchasing the fan switch which makes the cooling fan cut in earlier too? I am pulling a caravan with my vrs so this might be a good idea.

2. Which is the best value for money replacment panel filter. I have previously used K&N but they are pricey when compared with Pipercross.

3. Can I put a sony stereo in the Vrs and still use the 6 disk changer?

4. Are they dump valves (but not actually dump valves) that discharge the waste air back into the intake system a good idea?

5. Will the 17's from the hatch fit straight onto the estate model with no rubbing issues?

Sorry for all the questions

Phil

I'm not sure a cooler thermostat would help. It might make your car run more rich and use more fuel.

I like Green Cotton filters but have used many others as well.

Yes you can put a Sony HU in but I doubt it would interface with the OEM CD changer.

The valve fitted to the car as standard is what's known as a recirculating valve, it recircs the waste air back into the system. Replacement recircs are available and considered more reliable. Also Vent To Atmosphere (VTA) valves can be used but the 1.8T is sometimes a bit picky over them although I think Forge have released a variable one now.

Yes I think the 17" wheels go straight on and your 16" wheels will have a resale value to a Fabia owner.

I previously fitted a similar thermostat to my old Vectra ecotec. It made the car run smoother, used less petrol, and made me feel better when in traffic. How about the fan switch which makes the cooling fan cut in earlier?

Good results from the green?

Will have to see if sony make an interface then.

The forge item was the one I was reading about, but it also promises to hold onto to the boost longer etc. Would I notice this and is it a worthwhile item? I dont really want the sound of a stadnard dump valve on the school run!

Good news, means I should get most of money back from swopping them then.

Thanks

Like I aid I like the Greens but I dare say they are all much of a muchness.

The standard dump valve is a recirc like I said so no whoshing noises. So if yours is whooshing now then it's be changed already.

Forge make a nice product and remember to ask for your Briskoda Discount.

As regards the thermostat thing, from what I remember of my Thermodynamics lectures, the hotter an engine runs, the more efficient it should be - as long as the cooling system can get rid of the (waste) heat quickly enough.

I think this is why engines run at the temperatures they run at - the running temperature's limited by the ability of the cooling system to complete the Carnot Cycle (Wikipedia, as ever, knows all...) At the end of the day, there's only so much a watercooling system can do...

Doesn't explain why your Vectra ran better, though...

Yes you can put a Sony HU in but I doubt it would interface with the OEM CD changer.

Could you get a normal Skoda CD head unit and make it work with the 6 disk CD changer? Like the one in my Fabia (I have 6 disk CD changer)

I wouldnt bother with the thermostat trick like the Vauxhalls used unless youre driving around a track all day, the stock system is adequate. As mentioned too the engine may not run efficiently as could run too cold.

Doesn't explain why your Vectra ran better, though...

It doesn't take much to make an Ecotec Vectra run better. From personal experience, those engines are absolute garbage!

The Vrs Estate is an excellent buy though!

The ecotec engine was the best bit of vectra!!

I'll think I'll just keep an eye on temp gauge for while then before buying then.

How did you get the Fabia changer to recognise another make head unit?

The garage didnt understand why the gearstick was not as wobbly (return to centre) as other makes untill I educated them with what I learned from this site. Very impressed with the knowledge on here so far.