Beauty of the Beast Skoda Octavia RS - 57000 km review

navin · 26th April 2010, 23:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

I connected the laptop and drove on and cancelled the codes.

With a sigh, I cancelled the codes, did the TB adapation and alignment online. Went in to get ready for work.

Ajit you really need to get one of those Rs. 20K 9" netbooks. Stuff it under teh seat or in the glove box or even in the rear seat pocket. Have the VAG COM permanantly connected and drive. Hit a thich. Cancel code.

I can see this. While the rest of us follow this routine - Press clutch, change gear, accelerate; Ajit will be following another - Press Clutch, Cancel code, Change Gear, Cancel Code, Accelerate.

Deeps · 27th April 2010, 08:48

Can you elaborate on the throttle re-alignment? Is it done mechanically or electronically?

Ash_vtec · 27th April 2010, 23:06

Bit of a facebook hangover...i wish i could "like" this thread. Flawless, only wish for more pictures.

Eddy · 27th April 2010, 23:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ash_vtec

Bit of a facebook hangover...i wish i could "like" this thread.

Well, you can give it a five-star rating

ajmat · 10th May 2010, 07:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by navin

Ajit you really need to get one of those Rs. 20K 9" netbooks. Stuff it under teh seat or in the glove box or even in the rear seat pocket. Have the VAG COM permanantly connected and drive. Hit a thich. Cancel code.

I can see this. While the rest of us follow this routine - Press clutch, change gear, accelerate; Ajit will be following another - Press Clutch, Cancel code, Change Gear, Cancel Code, Accelerate.

Navin, I can really curse you, more soon.....

ajmat · 1st June 2010, 12:00

Sorry for delay. Since my last update, the car was running fine but once in a while especially when there was an ambient tenperature change, the EPC and check engine light would come on.

It would all point to the throttle body. I reset the codes, do the adaptation and all would be fine.

Next, I was due to go to Cochin for a wedding. Tickets were all booked out so it would be the car. I was nervous.

the weekend before, a group of us decided to do a drive like in the old days. Car performed faultlessly. It was interesting as we encountered lousy roads and road works, fabulous country roads and the good old NH highway. Driven along was a Merc w124, a OHC, a Mondeo and a shiny Optra.

The reliability was vindicated or so I thought.

The Merc will not thrill but nothing would stop or unfaze it. The Mondeo was impressive, I was following it and it was effortless in tackling challenging roads. The OHC could keep up well until sustained 3 figure speeds. The Optra - well, if the driver is inspired, it will deliver. The RS was a bit flaccid when off boost and the front overhangs don't like potholes but on the last leg, the final highway, it was a blast.

And so the trip to Kerala. It ate the miles cruising at 120km/h securely. My speed limiting wife did not chime this reflects the stablity of the car. The Avinashi to Palghat stretch, it was a drag since the off boost, on boost antics coupled with kamikazi drivers really got to you.

Reached Cochin and the first of the wedding events was at the Casino. It had been a hot day, this was the evening and I dropped the passengers off and parked the car. Later at 11.00pm, returned to the car. it was very humid. Started car and the dreaded EPC light came in. Car was in limp home mode and with boost disabled, we got home.

Next day morning, cleared code and car was fine. At noon, got into car and oh oh!! Dumped car and visited relatives on foot. Came back and reset codes and throttle body but things were getting worse. The codes were saying no signal. I did not fancy getting bled by marikar nor stranding my wife on the return journey.

I opened the bonnet. Removed the top TB connector, cleaned it. started - no luck!!suddenly, I realised there were three TB micro motors but the connector had only two terminals. I looked again, this time reaching under the throttle body and found a bigger connector.

Unplugged it, cleaned it , put it back and bingo - The upside is that the car was even smoother on idle and more responsive. Small problem but big heartache. Return journey was blissful

Car has been flawless after that. Dumped it for 10days since I had to travel away. returned to it yesterday and car started on first turn.

All's well now but what a journey!!! Car not washed for a month. No hose pipe in the building and the security guy who washes the car is a heart patient who can barely carry one bucket (security ? huh!). Everytime, I plan to get it washed, it rains - hold off Maggie!

Treated the car to a new set of Hella two tone horns - older ones were sounding wimpish

Jaggu · 1st June 2010, 12:38

So at the end all this car requires is, some regular maintenance and cleaning up of electrical sensors to make it running proper. Pretty useful stuff you dig out Ajmat.

Nikhilb2008 · 1st June 2010, 14:19

I really think you can earn a better living if you just open a Skoda A.S.S.

You have the technical knowhow, you know where to get the spare parts from and you wont "instigate" TBHP!

anandpadhye · 10th June 2010, 15:37

@ajmat,

No doubt, you know details about this car/engine (or in fact about cars/engines in general), and that's a terrific thing.

But, I always wonder why this problem and similar crop up periodically only in your car and not others (e.g. My friend's 1.8Tpi is running flawless ever since it was bought in Dec 2006)...

Dr.AD · 12th June 2010, 20:53

Hi Ajmat,

Just came across this thread. Amazing thread! Your ownership experience and all the technical details are a great source of resource (surely much more than any manual) for other RS owners. And I really loved the very first picture in your thread. Really nice!

By the way, during my daily "walk" (I guess you know what I mean) I always secretly drool at your car, often the high point of my day

Thanks,
-AD

anandpadhye · 14th June 2010, 13:58

Dr. AD,

yes, the opening pic is really charming- thanks for sending me back to the page 1 again :-)

Octavia 1 is a perfect looking sedan for me - it's exactly how I used to imagine (and try to draw) a car when I was a child.

With Octavia 2 (aka Laura), Skoda tried to improve what was the best and ended up spoiling it...

planet_rocker · 14th June 2010, 14:41

How did you clean the Throttle Body Connectors? Do you clean the IACV by yourself? Do you use an inlet cleaning spray? what make?

Wish you many more miles with the vRS

ajmat · 10th August 2010, 12:32

Just crossed 45000km

Car has been performing fine but I discovered, it reacts badly to hot humid conditions. 10 days ago, went to Garuda Mall and parked in the hot humid basement. Low behold, started the car after going for a movie and the lumpiness was back. A couple of minutes later, the EPC light came on. Drove home on limp mode and cancelled code, but it came back.

Next day morning, opened bonnet, removed throttle body connecter. Blew into it. Replaced it. Back to normal.

Monsoons have been intense. Found the drivers seat damp and the headlining. The drivers door seal has worn and the sunroof drainage holes were blocked. More on this in an upcoming article on sunroofs. I also discovered that a sunroof drain pipe got damamged during a minor repair causing this.

Also found that the brakes were losing their bite.

On Saturday, checked the car into Vinayak and also a list of things to be done. Got car back on Monday. The door seal is on order as also the sunroof drain pipe (it is only a rubber tube so I don't understand why they cannot use any local equivalent). Rear brake pads were changed but the have effectively bled them (I needed a a double pump to get more bite). Brake feel is back pending the pads bedding in. Car interior was cleaned up. Full marks to Vinayak.

They now rotate the service supervisor and service advisors so a lot of technical and customer orientation gets cross-pollinated.

Will I buy another Skoda? Well, if service levels are improving, I will be glad to. However, it must be said that I am a known "trouble maker" without having even quoted my t-bhp credentials (unless they read over here). The receptionist sees me and quotes my car number!

anandpadhye · 12th August 2010, 15:21

So what's the real root cause behind your frequent throttle body/limp mode?

Ardy · 12th August 2010, 15:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajmat

Just crossed 45000km

Next day morning, opened bonnet, removed throttle body connecter. Blew into it. Replaced it. Back to normal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by planet_rocker

How did you clean the Throttle Body Connectors? Do you clean the IACV by yourself? Do you use an inlet cleaning spray? what make?

+1 to that.

Ajmat: Can you put up some pictures along with the explanation for cleaning throttle body connectors?

Cheers,

27th April 2010, 08:48	#152
Deeps Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: Delhi/Noida Posts: 1,119 Thanked: 170 Times	Can you elaborate on the throttle re-alignment? Is it done mechanically or electronically?
	() Thanks

27th April 2010, 23:06	#153
Ash_vtec BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: BLR Posts: 385 Thanked: 363 Times	Bit of a facebook hangover...i wish i could "like" this thread. Flawless, only wish for more pictures.
	() Thanks

1st June 2010, 12:00	#156
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15,001 Thanked: 29,312 Times View My Garage	Sorry for delay. Since my last update, the car was running fine but once in a while especially when there was an ambient tenperature change, the EPC and check engine light would come on. It would all point to the throttle body. I reset the codes, do the adaptation and all would be fine. Next, I was due to go to Cochin for a wedding. Tickets were all booked out so it would be the car. I was nervous. the weekend before, a group of us decided to do a drive like in the old days. Car performed faultlessly. It was interesting as we encountered lousy roads and road works, fabulous country roads and the good old NH highway. Driven along was a Merc w124, a OHC, a Mondeo and a shiny Optra. The reliability was vindicated or so I thought. The Merc will not thrill but nothing would stop or unfaze it. The Mondeo was impressive, I was following it and it was effortless in tackling challenging roads. The OHC could keep up well until sustained 3 figure speeds. The Optra - well, if the driver is inspired, it will deliver. The RS was a bit flaccid when off boost and the front overhangs don't like potholes but on the last leg, the final highway, it was a blast. And so the trip to Kerala. It ate the miles cruising at 120km/h securely. My speed limiting wife did not chime this reflects the stablity of the car. The Avinashi to Palghat stretch, it was a drag since the off boost, on boost antics coupled with kamikazi drivers really got to you. Reached Cochin and the first of the wedding events was at the Casino. It had been a hot day, this was the evening and I dropped the passengers off and parked the car. Later at 11.00pm, returned to the car. it was very humid. Started car and the dreaded EPC light came in. Car was in limp home mode and with boost disabled, we got home. Next day morning, cleared code and car was fine. At noon, got into car and oh oh!! Dumped car and visited relatives on foot. Came back and reset codes and throttle body but things were getting worse. The codes were saying no signal. I did not fancy getting bled by marikar nor stranding my wife on the return journey. I opened the bonnet. Removed the top TB connector, cleaned it. started - no luck!!suddenly, I realised there were three TB micro motors but the connector had only two terminals. I looked again, this time reaching under the throttle body and found a bigger connector. Unplugged it, cleaned it , put it back and bingo - The upside is that the car was even smoother on idle and more responsive. Small problem but big heartache. Return journey was blissful Car has been flawless after that. Dumped it for 10days since I had to travel away. returned to it yesterday and car started on first turn. All's well now but what a journey!!! Car not washed for a month. No hose pipe in the building and the security guy who washes the car is a heart patient who can barely carry one bucket (security ? huh!). Everytime, I plan to get it washed, it rains - hold off Maggie! Treated the car to a new set of Hella two tone horns - older ones were sounding wimpish
	(1) Thanks

1st June 2010, 12:38	#157
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,261 Thanked: 16,130 Times	So at the end all this car requires is, some regular maintenance and cleaning up of electrical sensors to make it running proper. Pretty useful stuff you dig out Ajmat.
	() Thanks

1st June 2010, 14:19	#158
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,198 Thanked: 10,150 Times	I really think you can earn a better living if you just open a Skoda A.S.S. You have the technical knowhow, you know where to get the spare parts from and you wont "instigate" TBHP!
	(1) Thanks

10th June 2010, 15:37	#159
anandpadhye Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 3,056 Thanked: 3,325 Times	@ajmat, No doubt, you know details about this car/engine (or in fact about cars/engines in general), and that's a terrific thing. But, I always wonder why this problem and similar crop up periodically only in your car and not others (e.g. My friend's 1.8Tpi is running flawless ever since it was bought in Dec 2006)...
	() Thanks

12th June 2010, 20:53	#160
Dr.AD Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bangalore/Pune Posts: 1,839 Thanked: 19,356 Times	Hi Ajmat, Just came across this thread. Amazing thread! Your ownership experience and all the technical details are a great source of resource (surely much more than any manual) for other RS owners. And I really loved the very first picture in your thread. Really nice! By the way, during my daily "walk" (I guess you know what I mean) I always secretly drool at your car, often the high point of my day Thanks, -AD
	() Thanks

14th June 2010, 13:58	#161
anandpadhye Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 3,056 Thanked: 3,325 Times	Dr. AD, yes, the opening pic is really charming- thanks for sending me back to the page 1 again :-) Octavia 1 is a perfect looking sedan for me - it's exactly how I used to imagine (and try to draw) a car when I was a child. With Octavia 2 (aka Laura), Skoda tried to improve what was the best and ended up spoiling it...
	() Thanks

14th June 2010, 14:41	#162
planet_rocker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bong-land Posts: 2,323 Thanked: 426 Times	How did you clean the Throttle Body Connectors? Do you clean the IACV by yourself? Do you use an inlet cleaning spray? what make? Wish you many more miles with the vRS
	() Thanks

10th August 2010, 12:32	#163
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 15,001 Thanked: 29,312 Times View My Garage	Just crossed 45000km Car has been performing fine but I discovered, it reacts badly to hot humid conditions. 10 days ago, went to Garuda Mall and parked in the hot humid basement. Low behold, started the car after going for a movie and the lumpiness was back. A couple of minutes later, the EPC light came on. Drove home on limp mode and cancelled code, but it came back. Next day morning, opened bonnet, removed throttle body connecter. Blew into it. Replaced it. Back to normal. Monsoons have been intense. Found the drivers seat damp and the headlining. The drivers door seal has worn and the sunroof drainage holes were blocked. More on this in an upcoming article on sunroofs. I also discovered that a sunroof drain pipe got damamged during a minor repair causing this. Also found that the brakes were losing their bite. On Saturday, checked the car into Vinayak and also a list of things to be done. Got car back on Monday. The door seal is on order as also the sunroof drain pipe (it is only a rubber tube so I don't understand why they cannot use any local equivalent). Rear brake pads were changed but the have effectively bled them (I needed a a double pump to get more bite). Brake feel is back pending the pads bedding in. Car interior was cleaned up. Full marks to Vinayak. They now rotate the service supervisor and service advisors so a lot of technical and customer orientation gets cross-pollinated. Will I buy another Skoda? Well, if service levels are improving, I will be glad to. However, it must be said that I am a known "trouble maker" without having even quoted my t-bhp credentials (unless they read over here). The receptionist sees me and quotes my car number! Last edited by ajmat : 18th August 2017 at 12:17.
	() Thanks

12th August 2010, 15:21	#164
anandpadhye Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 3,056 Thanked: 3,325 Times	So what's the real root cause behind your frequent throttle body/limp mode?
	() Thanks