New owner - Service Advice

[Mazimo3]

Hi,
I have just bought a 2003 Ibiza 1.2 5dr with 60,000 miles on the clock.
This will be used for giving the wife driving lessons and then her 1st car
It has no service history so I am looking to start fresh.

I am looking to get the following from Euro Car Parts:

Bosch Air filter - £7.92
Hengst Fuel filter - £24.60
Hengst Oil filter - £6.24
Crosland Pollen filter - £9.84
NGK Spark plugs (3) - £4.20 each
Castrol Edge Fully Synthetic 5w30 oil 4 litres - £29.99
TRIPLE QX Red Ready Mixed Antifreeze/Coolant 5 Litres - £6.74

I don't know to much about car maintenance but would like to keep my cars in top condition and service them at least once a year. I know there are many places to get parts from and many brands to pick from. I am looking to get the above from Euro Car Parts as they have a 25% discount offer going on, so overall the saving is quite good and their location is convenient.
I would like to know if selecting the above items is a good/bad decision and is there anything else I should be looking to get done as there is no service history?

Thanks

 

[8arran8]

Have a look at the brakes, front will be easy to check if they are worn but the rears will require the drum to be taken off. If the front brakes look worn, the rears will most likely need done aswell!
Check the timing/cam belts for signs of wear, these should be replaced at 60k anyway so I presume thus will need done asap if not already done.

But your list seems spot on mate!

 

[Mark D]

Im a Skoda tech and service these 1.2 3cylinders a lot.

Its a timing chain fitted. For life they say but do see a lot jump teeth so if its rattling advice a garage to test.

As for parts those prices are v close to the genuine parts if not cheaper. Id inquire at your local TPS (vw or skoda or seat dealer parts counter)

They use Quantum oil, platinum or long life. Platinum is cheaper however if its a small price difference id use the better long life oil. Edge is also a very good oil from Castrol.

Use the genuine G12 coolant also as others may damage the seal on the water pump and thats a costly job to replace so the extra few quid for genuine coolant is worth it!!

Brake fluid should be done by a pro as if its done wrong it could end very badly.

Will have rear drums for the brakes. Will need a clean out if you do it do un adjust them (small tab located around 10 o'clock through the wheel bolt holes) just get a tool and push it up. Check the slave cylinder seals for leaking brake fluid. Get some emery cloth or sanding paper and rub down the shoes. Brake clean everything and let dry then fit the drum back on. Adjust so its slightly binding (small tap on face of the drum to align the pads) and spin to see if there is only a slight bit of resistance for a 1/4 of a turn. If your unsure or not confident get a garage to do it as messing with brakes is v dangerous.

Good engines they are cheap to run, economical and cheap to tax. Torquey around town too.

Any more questions happy to give advice.

 

[Mazimo3]

Yes, I believe they come with chain fitted. I did ask a few people about the chain and everyone else also said that there is no set intervals for replacing chains, unless it rattles. And if I do the oil servicing regularly on time then hopefully may never need to replace the chain.
I would like to know a bit more about the rattling noise tho, would I hear it in the cabin? Would it only be heard on a cold start?
I always warm my cars up for at least 5 mins before driving (becoz my main cars a diesel) and am always listening out for anything odd, I don’t even put the radio on until 5 mins into a journey.
This morning I started the car up with the bonnet open, couldn’t hear any rattling, just engine and belts, so I guess I don’t have a chain issue. But if I wanted it tested, should I get charged, how much?

I did a Oil match search on the TPS site, they suggested:
Quantum LongLife III 5W-30
Castrol EDGE 5W-30
I chose the Castrol as my mechanic friend only charges me £10 for the oil (he gets it from his work) plus I will be servicing the car every 12 months no matter what mileage it does (3-5K). If it was my main car and I was doing above 10K then I prob would have gone for the Quantum.

Ok, I think I won’t bother with the coolant on my list and get proper G12 stuff from the dealers or TPS.

When my car is in for service my mechanic will check the brakes and other important stuff.

When should the thermostat get changed, only when it goes bad? My temp seems to be ok, always just a bit below 90 mark. I’m just wondering is there anything else that I should get done whilst doing the coolant?

 

[Blanco92]

The thing with the chain is that, it can be fine one morning, and fail the next. Inspecting the chain for damage is useless, the problem lies with the tensioner, for which there is now a revised part.

I fitted the new tensioner and guide channel kit to mine, just for peace of mind. No problems touch wood.

Apart from that they're solid and reliable little cars. Would advise you to check the front suspension out though. There is a revised ARB available because the collars used to disintegrate on the old ones. Front wishbone rear bushes (consul bushes) are prone to failure too, replacement with Cupra ones is the solution, they're a solid (not voided) bush so they don't fall apart.

Another revised part, the rubber hose to the brake servo, they quite often split. Mine was noticed at around 50k so yours is in that territory.

 

[Mazimo3]

Thanks,

If there was any tensioner or chain issue, would I notice anything if on a 2 hour drive doing 75mph?
I think the known chain issue is making me paranoid ... lol

The issues you mentioned ... Suspension, bushes, rubber hose to the brake .... would these get checked on an MOT?

 

[Blanco92]

No you wouldn't notice. In all honesty, they only jump on start up, and if it does jump you'll know... You wouldn't be going anywhere in it.

The suspension would be checked on MOT, not sure about the brake servo. They'll check it works for sure. But specifically that hose... Would be a little tricky to access. Mine was replaced not because I felt a problem, but because when doing other work, I found visible damage.