Skoda Felicia

Check for in frequent oil changes, if you can- sludge and muck in the oil filler. A friends recently bought '99 1.3 estate has just suddenly died with terminal big end trouble- dropping the sump off reveled more sludge and gum than I thought possible with modern oils, even infrequently changed.

Tim..

Mine has generally been an excellent, reliable, cheap-to-run, if=20 somewhat basic car. I've had for 6 six years and taken it from 40,000 to=20

110,000 miles. Apart from consumables (tyres, brake pads etc.) the only=20 non-routine items to go have been:

• Alternator - happenned early on and fixed under used car warranty

• Temperature sensor

• Thermostat - watch for this one. It is apparently a complete housed=20 unit or something, and cost me =A370.

Check for rust. My 97P is corroding quite badly around the wheel arches=20

- worst at the rear.

If it has a sunroof, then check for leaks. Mine does not leak - but is=20 apparently a lucky exception. The central locking is also known to be a=20 bit of a weak point. Mine occasionally sticks. Repeating the=20 lock/unlock action a couple of times always gets it going again.

Ian

--=20 Ian Riches Bedford, UK

Slow, wallowy, but comfy. Will hang on surprisingly well. SPi engine is simple and bullet proof, MPi engine got a better head, and=20 came later, more Ooomph.

Specialists are great for parts, try Butts of Bawtry as well as dealer. Economy is good. Doesn't need synthetic or even Semi synthetic, good=20 quality modern mineral, changed every 5k with a fresh filter, and air=20 filter once a year. NGK plugs work best.

No cambelt to worry about, Pushrod engine with short camchain with no=20 tensioner. Parts are about =A315 for the chain and sprockets, dealer will= =20 charge about =A3150+vat fitted. Better to get dealer to do on a=20 Favorit/Felicia as space is tighter than on the old rear engined cars. Chain rattles at about 25-35k, supposed to be replaced at about 50k, but=20 I've seen much longer. If it goes too far it can buzz saw through part=20 of the engine/cooling system, but you would hear it by then.

Good old adjustable mechanical tappets. As long as it is maintained it will practically run for ever.

It feels a little more sluggish than the old favorit, but it is a=20 heavier car with more protection.

If you can find a very late one, consider a Favorit blackline too, only=20 later model Felicias with better spec got PAS, so not much loss there,=20 but slightly better performance than an early SPi Felicia.

--=20 Carl Robson Car PC Build starts again.

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Slow, wallowy, but comfy. Will hang on surprisingly well. SPi engine is simple and bullet proof, MPi engine got a better head, and came later, more Ooomph.

Specialists are great for parts, try Butts of Bawtry as well as dealer. Economy is good. Doesn't need synthetic or even Semi synthetic, good quality modern mineral, changed every 5k with a fresh filter, and air filter once a year. NGK plugs work best.

No cambelt to worry about, Pushrod engine with short camchain with no tensioner. Parts are about £15 for the chain and sprockets, dealer will charge about £150+vat fitted. Better to get dealer to do on a Favorit/Felicia as space is tighter than on the old rear engined cars. Chain rattles at about 25-35k, supposed to be replaced at about 50k, but I've seen much longer. If it goes too far it can buzz saw through part of the engine/cooling system, but you would hear it by then.

Good old adjustable mechanical tappets. As long as it is maintained it will practically run for ever.

It feels a little more sluggish than the old favorit, but it is a heavier car with more protection.

If you can find a very late one, consider a Favorit blackline too, only later model Felicias with better spec got PAS, so not much loss there, but slightly better performance than an early SPi Felicia.

Yep, forgot that one. They definatley do need the correct coolant for their whole lives, otherwise corrosion kills the HGs. Not a major problem, usually plenty of meat for skimming, but don't disturb the liners/shims if it needs doing.

It was due an MOT , two tyres needed replacing , plus head gasket and maybe new pads and discs

Only worth scrap money

Was drafty as hell on motorway, radio didnt work

Leak in passenger window

Was time for the poor thing to go

My Favorit leaked after a windscreen was replaced. I blew up the radio messing and had to fit a new headunit, I got it through 3 MOTs, then sold it to a bloke. He stripped out the motorsport parts for second hand standard parts (seats, steering wheel, shocks/sprungs, stainless back box) and the fog lights for his other car. Then it had a mysterious electrical fire.

Slow, wallowy, but comfy. Will hang on surprisingly well. SPi engine is simple and bullet proof, MPi engine you'll get better head,

"Get better head with a Skoda Felatio"

Oh be still my beating heart!

;o)

-- Remove Frontal Lobes to reply.

"...The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger "

-- Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."

- Benjamin Franklin, 1759

Ian Riches wrote about the Skoda Felicia:

Mine has a sunroof, and it leaks :-(

Any idea what the cure is?

New car

There was a recall for leaky sunroofs and windscreens on btoh Felicias and Favorits during their model runs I believe.

Good here innit.

The message from NeedforSwede2 contains these words:

Wish there was for Clios.