Toledo mk2 radio and air con issues

Fuzzarr

Active Member
Mar 17, 2014
12
0
Hello!

Well, it's a while since I was last here, but my Toledo is still going strong and it's been much nicer to drive since replacing the MAF sensor last year.

However a couple of issues have popped up and I'd appreciate any thoughts if you have them!

First of all, the radio isn't getting very good coverage any more, sometimes you'll get a station but it'll fade out/go crackly pretty quickly. Any ideas what could be up here?

Secondly, during the hotter days in recent weeks it's emerged the air con is no longer effective. It was regassed last year and checked for leaks, and the garage couldn't find any leaks, but I am wondering if there is one somewhere. Is there a common weak spot in the air con system?

It's a 2000(W) 110 TDI Toledo in case that helps.

Thanks!
 

chriswales6

Active Member
Mar 2, 2016
294
47
Apparently the base of the roof aerial can corrode affecting the radio reception. A new aerial can be picked up for under £20. The headlining needs to be dropped, if you look on YouTube there are videos showing how to do it on a golf which is very similar.

The air con may just need re gassing, given the age of the car there could be a slow leak. Most likely the condenser, mine needed re gassing every year or two. Then the compressor failed again three years ago and I gave up on getting it fixed.

I’ve had my 2003 TDI 110 Leon for 10 years and hope to get another few years use out of it, it’s currently on 110K miles. What has the reliability of your car been like over last few years and what symptoms did the failing MAF give?

Thanks
 

Fuzzarr

Active Member
Mar 17, 2014
12
0
Hey there Chris, thanks for the reply, really useful tip about the corrosion! I'll have to check it out for rust.

10 years with your Leon - that's incredible loyalty! They're good to drive, aren't they? I really enjoy driving the Toledo, it's been a brilliant mile muncher, not that it does all that many - it's still only done 55k or something ridiculous.

Reliability wise it's been very good, all it has needed since 2014 is the MAF and a coolant temp sensor, oh and what I believe was an intercooler hose re-connecting. The car was only delivering boost for a few hundred rpm in the mid range, disconnecting the MAF significantly improved performance if I remember correctly, so I replaced it (see my post history for more details).

It was quite shocking driving a car with full boost after the best part of a year effectively turboless! I was grinning from ear to ear.

Air con issues seem a bit tricky to pin down after doing some searches of the forum this week, but I guess we don't have that many hot days...
 

chriswales6

Active Member
Mar 2, 2016
294
47
The base is alloy so starts crumbing away as apposed to rusting. I've seen a video of someone repairing one. But since they're cheap enough you may as well just replace it.

Yes 10 years is the longest I've owned a car, did think about changing it for an Exeo. But I'm now doing a 250mile weekly commute and getting over 55mpg, so will keep running it for as long as I can.

Fixing air con can get expensive, with cars this old. Replaced my first compressor 7 years ago, now it needs another one plus a condenser and I guess a dryer. All in over £500 so I've just been opening the windows if it gets too hot.
 

spudboy6

Active Member
Feb 4, 2014
722
113
Swindon
Yea I've changed my aerial base too recently , but I've also fitted a clarion head unit with DAB and comes with a new DAB screen aerial , fitted that two years ago and not used FM since , DAB is the way forward , so many more stations and better signal quality .
 

chriswales6

Active Member
Mar 2, 2016
294
47
I did consider the DAB option myself, given the choice of FM stations in my area. But it’s rather hilly around my way and difficult to get DAB reception in the house. I didn’t want to take the risk with a car unit.

Luckily I replaced the head unit when I got the car and it can play MP3 tracks. So I’ve filled a few CD’s with them and put it on shuffle, Keeps me going on the 40 minute drive to work.
 
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