Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Aye, cleared the code and it came back after a day or so. Code points me to a particular sensor but I don't have the nouse to be 100% sure it just needs replaced. Booked it in for a proper diagnostic tomorrow. I also need them to look at a creak in the rear suspension so if they say the sensor just needs replaced, I'll ask them for a quote. If they say more than £300 then I think I'll give it a go myself as I can see all of the places where I'd need access to swap it out and the tool is only £10. If there is any ludicrous suspension work required I'll be going back to the dealer.

I have one of them, great cheapness to fun ratio, they seem to be peanuts at the mo. No clue about gasket gloop tho, that does sound rather risky!

I've got everything crossed, my heart really is set on this thing. Which is silly, but there you are.

I hope I don't have to settle for this.

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Mk6 GTi is a chain not a belt but it's the infamous tsi chain so depending on mileage I'd get the stretch measured

Are you 100% all Mk6 are the same? This needs fact checking but I have a memory of there being a difference between '10-12 and '13-14.

How come it's £180 BTW?

Even the multiple socket size sets I'm seeing are <£20, and the sensors seem to be £40-60.

I would say that with information available today there are lots of simple jobs you can easily diy on modern cars. Equally there are lots of simple jobs which are incredibly hard.

Eg

• VAG pollen and air filters (just unscrew a few screws and pop replacements in)
  
• Mini blocked washer jets (remove and rince tank out... after removing wheel and all arch covers without loosing or breaking anything)
  
  

Fyi it may be done up very tightly and you should double check whether you are meant to lube the threads or not.

The sensor is £160 - £170, tool is a tenner.

https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/p/bosch-lambda-sensor-710449340

https://www.neilsentools.com/products/ct3664-lambda-sensor-socket-22mm

If you just google the sensors you see the cheaper ones, but then when you actually try to get the proper compatible one from the sites, the price jumps. If anyone can find a compatible one for a 2013 MK3 Octavia Petrol 2L VRS 220, be my guest!

Wow.

It's always surprising how much the price of these things vary.

here's a pic of mine as an offering to the subaru gods.
hopefully the same luck that got mine through the MOT will rub off on yours or somethnig.

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Very handsome, such good looking cars. I can't put my finger on why I love them so much, but I do!

The only thing I'd be aware of is that if a code is thrown for a sensor, a faulty sensor is not always the culprit. It's possible that there could be another issue eg electrical/wiring. I know this from experience having replaced an extremely difficult to reach knock sensor on my other halfs CRV due to a code - EML came back on, same code. Luckily for me the genuine sensor was only pennies, but it was an absolute pig of a job for nowt!

That's the thing, I don't want to replace the sensor and find it was something else, hence sending it in for the diagnostic. If they say, "just the sensor, mate" then I will ask "how much?" and think of a threshold over which I'll say "thanks very much, here's the money for the diagnostic but I'd like to replace the sensor myself". But also likely spend more money on the suspension.

There are cheaper options for the same sensor

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335363493899

Unsure if it's a thing that can be skimped on, however.

Or

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184816866546

Managed to get my Audi 80 going. A friend of my who is infinitely more knowledgeable about cars than I am suggested removing the spark plugs, heating them with a blow torch and starting the car without them in.

I’m guessing the engine was flooded after numerous attempts to get it started.

Managed a little cough, then actually started but refused to idle unless the throttle was moved manually. The water pump also sounds incredibly ropey, which is odd because it didn’t before.

Not all Mk6, but I'm very sure on Mk6 GTi.

Don't skimp. Buy a Bosch.

👍

The cheaper ones seem to fail from after a few months and some cause errors coming back.

This one seems very cheap as it overheats.

Just need it to do 1000 miles

They often have issues with the low speed fan not coming on, is deffo head gasket?

Couple of little jobs on mine, got a stock grill to replace the gloss black aero style eBay jobbie it came with, pulled the stereo to reattach the aerial, took the cd changer out of the boot to free up some space and added some cargo nets.

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Need one of those hanging cargo nets for mine...

Did you get to the bottom of the starter motor issue?
Mine has a parasitic drain that the local R53 specialist thinks is due to damp. There's memory foam under the carpet and once it gets damp/wet you're f***ed. Seems like it will need the whole carpet pulling out to dry out then a trip to the auto electrician to find the short 😑.
Anyone here have any experience with that sort of thing?

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The starter motor issue was a bit of a win in the end - after a bit of research I replaced the ignition switch as it’s an easy DIY and only £27 so easy/cheap to rule out, all sorted no more problems.

That sounds like a bit of a nightmare. I know there’s plenty of places they can leak at the back, rear lights, boot handle, waistline trim clips. I have new rear light seals to fit at some point as I want to have a nose around in there as it’s a common place for water to sit and cause rust. Good luck 🤞

Have a look at this video https://youtu.be/A2sR8BtlLEc?si=AMRyX8w1v61M35Xd

Third brake light seal usually is the problem. More noticeable within the R50 ( non spoiler ) version.