Hot-start issues with my Skoda Octavia...
Hello,
I have a 2009 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI. It has 116k miles on the clock, so low for the year. I have been having a nightmare of a problem the last two weeks. The car will start no problem when cold but when it heats up it will not start. It tries to turn over but just conks out then. When running the car runs great, no lag, loss of power etc I have changed the fuel pump, coolant sensor and crankshaft sensor and there are no faults coming up on the diagnostic machine. I have read about software problems but speaking to someone who provides mapping says it would not be a software problem and it is a mechanical problem, but I can't find the fault. This is getting very expensive at this stage and I can't afford to keep trying new parts. Can you shed some light on this?
Thank you.
Stephen Kavanagh (Dublin)Jun 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
That is very frustrating. It does, however, point to the coolant sensor, which is a known weak point of this engine. You say you replaced it, but did you fit a new part? Is there any possibility the wiring or connector is the issue rather than the sensor itself?
Failing all that, I think it's time to get a good mechanic or Skoda dealer involved to get to the bottom of this.
VW T-Cross, Skoda Kamiq or Suzuki Vitara?
Looking at VW T-Cross, Skoda Kamiq or Suzuki Vitara... which would you recommend?
Mary Bane (Ennis)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
Of the three, it’s probably the T-Cross that we prefer. It is more expensive than the Skoda, but makes up for that by feeling rather more stylish and a little more engaging to drive. Both are very good, though. The Vitara is decent, and solid, but feels a little too cheap in the cabin these days, which does hold it back. Incidentally, if you’re buying new and you’re in the small crossover market, you should also look at the new Ford Puma — it’s the best car in the class by far. Here are our reviews to help you decide:
NOx levy on a 2014 Skoda Octavia TDI?
Hi,
How much is the NOx levy on a 2014 Skoda Octavia SE 1.6 TDI?
Thanks
Igor Cotorobai (Dublin )Jun 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Igor,
According to our best data, it should be a 131mg/km, so that would equate to €1,575 of NOx charge, which of course is on top of the rest of the VRT calculation.
NOx charge on a 2010 Skoda Octavia?
Do you know the NOx charge for a 2010 Skoda Octavia diesel 1.6 105hp, rated at 119g/km?
Thanks in advance
Michael Downes (Crusheen)Jun 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
OK, the NOx charge seems still to be something of an inexact science, not least because accurate NOx values are still hard to come by for some models. Now, we think that a 2010 Octavia 1.6 TDI has NOx emissions of 152mg/km, which would equal a NOx charge of €1,725 (€5 per mg for the first 60mg, €15 per mg between 60 and 80mg, and then €25 per mg per the balance: €300 + €300 + €1,125 = €1,725). That’s on top of the normal VRT charge, of course.
NOx figure for this Skoda Superb TDI?
I am considering importing a 2019/2020 Skoda Superb 190hp TDI L&K Combi, but apart from one website that tells me the NOx is zero (zero: can this be correct?), I cannot find any official figures to work out the VRT costs. Can you help, please?
Terry Crofton (Ballydehob)May 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Terry,
That car should have a NOx figure of 67mg/km (although the final figure will depend on the car’s spec and equipment — it should be recorded on the V5 registration document). If our 67mg/km figure is right, then that translates to a NOx charge of €405.
Where is the Skoda Yeti's spare wheel?
Where’s the spare wheel housed on the Skoda Yeti Outdoor?
Tony Keating (Carlow Rep Of Ireland)May 2020 Filed under: tyres
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
It will depend on the spec of your Yeti, and the year of production. Many Yetis came only with a puncture repair and inflate kit as standard. Some came with a space-saver wheel (actually using a conventional tyre, but smaller and narrower than the standard Yeti wheel, meaning that it was restricted on speed, but not on distance travelled), while a full-size spare was a cost option, and greatly reduced boot space. If it has one, it'll be accessible inside the boot, under the floor.
Is the Volkswagen Up suitable for me?
Hi there,
I'm looking to buy a newer car than my 2007 1.2 Renault Clio. I spend roughly half the week in a small city and the other half in a small country village, about 25 minutes from the nearest town. I do a short motorway trip about twice a week. I'd love something like a Volkswagen Up, but am worried this would be too small and lack enough power for my amount of driving, which is roughly 21,000km per year.
What would you advise?
Many thanks, Eimear.
Eimear Molloy (Kilkenny/Waterford)May 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eimear,
I’m happy to report that you’re wrong — the Up (and the equivalent Skoda and SEAT versions) is one of those small car’s that’s oddly good on the motorway. OK, with 60hp you’re not going to be winning any Grands Prix, but it’s entirely adequate, keeps up with other traffic and is pretty decently economical too. Indeed, it’s probably a better bet than buying a basic Clio or similarly-sized car, which will be bigger and heavier but won’t necessarily be that much more powerful.
What to replace by Octavia RS TDI with?
Hi, I'm doing approx. 30,000km per year. I have a 2016 Octavia RS 2.0-litre TDI 184hp at the moment and am going to change over the next few months - pandemic allowing etc! What would you recommend? Are hybrids worth looking at for example?
Mark McNally (Galway)May 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
If you’re prepared to wait a bit, there is an all-new Octavia RS coming, which will be available as a plug-in hybrid with 245hp. Now, it will depend on how you rack up those 30,000km as to whether a plug-in hybrid would suit you — if it’s all motorway miles then probably not, but if you do a lot of short-hauls around town, and can charge at home, then it could be ideal.
There’s also the diesel version of the new Ford Focus ST to consider, the new Golf GTI and SEAT Leon Cupra (all sharing their bits and pieces with the Octavia, of course), or what about a Hyundai i30 N — one of our favourite hot hatches? A few reviews to help you decide:
How much to tax my Skoda taxi privately?
I want to tax my car for private use and not for a taxi; how much will it cost me for a year? It's a 2012 Skoda Superb 1.6 TDI Greenline.
David Kelly (Dublin)May 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi David,
Well, regular (as in non-PSV) car tax is worked out on the CO2 emissions. As yours is a Superb 1.6 TDI Greenline, that has official CO2 emissions of 114g/km, and so will cost you €200 a year to tax.
Looking for used automatic car...
Hi, I am looking for a used automatic hatchback petrol car for my wife. She's a learner and would prefer a small automatic hatchback. Would you mind helping me to find the best automatic car from year 2015 to 2017? We went through your reviews and made a list of cars thatsuits our needs. They are Hyundai i10, Skoda Citigo, Kia Picanto, Toyota Yaris, SEAT Ibiza, SEAT Mii, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 108 and Renault Clio etc. I was wondering if you could suggest me the best option?
Nithin Mathew (New Ross, Wexford)Apr 2020 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Nithin,
You’re kind of shopping in two separate segments of the market, there — small city cars (such as the Up and the i10) and larger superminis (such as the Yaris and Clio). If it’s one of the small ones you want, then the decision is kind of made for you. The Up is one of our favourites, but there’s no automatic option, so the Hyundai it has to be. No bad thing — it’s an excellent car.
If you fancy something a little larger and roomier, then I’d suggest going for the Toyota Yaris Hybrid — it gets you the automatic transmission you want, plus you’re future-proofing yourself a little with the hybrid powertrain.