ULEZ Expansion Solution* - Skoda Estelle , Czech it out

[Zelandeth]

2 hours ago, wesacosa said:

In other news I think I have found source of water under the carpet. Looks like the pesky cooling hose that runs inside the car transmission tunnel from engine compartment to either heater or rad (not sure yet) seems to be where its coming from Judging by the water in the transmission tunnel area 

The pipes in the tunnel are metal (at least were on mine) though there is a hose running between the riser where it comes out and the heater matrix which can (and do) leak.  

Indeed can let go when you're doing 70 and douse your left ankle in scalding hot coolant.  Wakes you up quite effectively that one.

If it's still present, be VERY careful removing the plastic shield that covers those hoses, they were incredibly fragile and nigh on impossible to find intact 20 years ago when I got my first Estelle.

[wesacosa]

10 minutes ago, Zelandeth said:

The pipes in the tunnel are metal (at least were on mine) though there is a hose running between the riser where it comes out and the heater matrix which can (and do) leak.  

Indeed can let go when you're doing 70 and douse your left ankle in scalding hot coolant.  Wakes you up quite effectively that one.

If it's still present, be VERY careful removing the plastic shield that covers those hoses, they were incredibly fragile and nigh on impossible to find intact 20 years ago when I got my first Estelle.

the hose is rubber, it looks like heater hose and judging by its look and the clips on it , its original

Where is the shield you mention?

[Zelandeth]

1 hour ago, wesacosa said:

the hose is rubber, it looks like heater hose and judging by its look and the clips on it , its original

Where is the shield you mention?

This one.

Which may well already be missing.  Most are.

[wesacosa]

ah ok gotcha. ta.  No its still there! although small crack in corner not sure if I caused that taking carpet up or not 😳

The leak is actually further back. can't quite see in pictures but this is the cover behind the handbrake and there are two rubber hoses running through there 

 

[Zelandeth]

Ah, I've never done battle with the plumbing at that end I'm afraid so can't offer any hints there.

Good the trim panel is still there at the front, only one of mine has ever had it.

[RayMK]

Me neither.  Mine all left at least 17 years ago and still had intact waterworks.  I did have to fiddle with the Rapid 135Ric gear selector rod in that tunnel because the rubber bushes at the rear end had disintegrated. Removal of the rod looked impossible without getting the engine out, so I replaced the bushes with solid metal - bolts, spacers and washers - which surprisingly worked without any apparent downside.  Master cylinders required attention on a couple of the cars but they are easy to get at. One job I could not do was replace the rear wheel bearings on the Rapid. It had the semi-trailing arm suspension which was also shared with some of the later Estelles.  My garage said they were the most difficult ones he'd ever experienced in his 40 years career.  

 

 

[Zelandeth]

2 hours ago, RayMK said:

Me neither.  Mine all left at least 17 years ago and still had intact waterworks.  I did have to fiddle with the Rapid 135Ric gear selector rod in that tunnel because the rubber bushes at the rear end had disintegrated. Removal of the rod looked impossible without getting the engine out, so I replaced the bushes with solid metal - bolts, spacers and washers - which surprisingly worked without any apparent downside.  Master cylinders required attention on a couple of the cars but they are easy to get at. One job I could not do was replace the rear wheel bearings on the Rapid. It had the semi-trailing arm suspension which was also shared with some of the later Estelles.  My garage said they were the most difficult ones he'd ever experienced in his 40 years career.  

 

 

You *can* get it out.  Just.

My 135 RiC snapped the linkage rod at the gear lever end - thankfully in 3rd gear so I could limp the car into a safe location.

It required a lot of swearing, jacking of the engine and brute force, but you can just get the selector rod in and out.  Whether you *should* is another matter given the amount of force was involved!

[wesacosa]

noticed the voltage regulator didn't look like one I saw in another picture. Seems its an after market. Took it off and found what every shite car purchaser fears, someone elses bodged wiring.  Hoping they have just cut the plug off and soldered it to the loom of the new regulator but who knows. Crappy Haynes wiring doesn't give wire colours too so this could be fun

I think this car is going to be a lot more work than I bargained for.  I also think I overpaid for it as its not quite as nice as I remembered. Still, onwards and upwards. Should be done just in time to start paying Khunt £12.50 every time I drive it

 

[wesacosa]

A bit of further poking around and my suspicion was confirmed. The black box attached to the voltage regulator fixings isn't an after market VR but the control box for the 90s aftermarket immobiliser. There are two black wires and a white wire which run from the immobiliser key switch to the black box. They run along the floor and through a grommet in the rear bulkhead. Somewhere between the bulkhead and the engine compartment they pick up two thicker brown wires and all go to the control box. Looking at the alternator its not original so I assume it must have a built in regulator otherwise the car has no regulator (Which may explain why it keeps blowing washer pump motors?) I can't find an sign of the original plug or wires that went to the OEM regulator. 

Given it looks like a professional* installation I am now less worried about random bits being arsed about with but I think I will try and figure out how it works so I can remove it and have one less thing to potentially leave me stranded by the side of the m25. Surely can't be that hard to remove?!