Altea Engine Diagram / Brake Pad Fitting

[brownb2]

I'm looking for a annotated photo of the 2006 1.9 Altea TDI engine so I can determine what work was done on my car when it went for service today.

I have a component to the front right attached to one of the silver engine pipes that appears to have oil on it - not the oil cap which is filthy - and I don't understand why - as well as the full service I had also had all brakes pads replaced and front discs replaced.

One more question - the fitted brake pads contact the discs at an angle, so not all of the pad touches the disc - is this correct fitting? Braking doesn't feel any different to before the work.

 

[Viking]

The brake pads have a chamfered edge like this...

so not all the pad will be touching the disc. It's normal.

As regards the engine, can you see the component on this picture?

 

[brownb2]

The layout of the engine in your photo is quite different so I've just taken a few - one for context, then zoomed in, and the other just to illustrate the brake pad.

Unfortunately I can't post image URLs yet as I'm a new member but you can see them at the following - I've circled the part that either has a leak or is just covered in oil.

Engine top, oil change quite apparent...
mirror.viperfang.net/silentdevelopments/temp/30062012173.jpg

Further into the front right recess (hidden behind metal, oil on wire?):
mirror.viperfang.net/silentdevelopments/temp/30062012175.jpg

From another angle (component fully in view, has green band)
mirror.viperfang.net/silentdevelopments/temp/30062012176.jpg

Front right brake pad gap
mirror.viperfang.net/silentdevelopments/temp/30062012177.jpg

Thanks!

 

[Viking]

Engine top, oil change quite apparent...

Further into the front right recess (hidden behind metal, oil on wire?):

From another angle (component fully in view, has green band)

Front right brake pad gap

Okay, in the first pic the part you highlight is right next to the oil filter housing, which is the black plastic part with the large nut on the top. Most likely they spilt oil when they were removing the oil filter. So I'd not worry too much.

As regards the brake pads, that's what new pads look like. If you look at the pic I posted earlier you'll see that the profile of the pads is just like that. As the pads wear you see the gap disappearing as a wear indicator.

 

[brownb2]

Ok thanks! I've just noticed on the invoice that wheel balancing includes a "new valve" which I guess is what that component is? I just didn't want to be driving around with something brake/suspension related that was leaking!

 

[Viking]

New valve when mentioned in the same context as wheel balance would suggest a new valve on the wheel. Y'know, the part where you blow the tyre up. Did you have new tyres fitted?

 

[brownb2]

Yes - two new Hankook brand tyres were also fitted on the front. For some reason I thought the "valve" might be for use with some sort pressure sensor A little knowledge is a dangerous thing or makes you look really stupid on a forum!

 

[Viking]

Fear not young Padawan. Many are more stupid looking on this forum than you. Some are virtually professionals in the art.

 

[brownb2]

I'm actually thinking about taking it back in next week - the brakes are definitely not as sharp as when I took it in - my wife used to have trouble with them as they were so sensitive*. I've also noticed that footbrake depresses slightly too when the handbrake is applied and I'm not sure if that's supposed to be normal?

* A year ago a kid dashed out about 20 feet in front of me whilst I was doing about 20mph and I stopped quite literally an inch from them, whilst the braking was probably above par then, I get the feeling I'd have bumped them if the brakes were as "spongy" feeling as they are at the moment.

 

[Viking]

Did they change the brake fluid? Did they do the rears as well as the fronts? Was it a main dealer or an independent?

 

[brownb2]

It was the front discs, all four pads, as far as I'm aware no brake fluid was changed - it had a full service too (before MOT) - the place was (Halfords) Nationwide Autocentre in Bolton who I've found were quite good in previous years.

Full service schedule is here - it says they check the brake fluid level but not change the brake fluid.

halfordsautocentres.com/Documents/Halfords%20Service%20Schedule.pdf

 

[Viking]

Hmm, a list of what they're supposed to carry out may not be what actually gets done in my experience. Most of that will be "Just tick the box and get it shifted outside lad".

But if the brakes ain't what they're supposed to be then maybe a quick bedding in will be needed. A few stops from 30mph to standstill without overheating or holding your foot on the brakes when stopped will possibly help.