Servicing an Arosa (Help/Lists anyone please?)

[CJRamze]

Hi All.
Last year my mrs bought a Seat Arosa 2002 1.0L however its the newer shape one.
I'm not sure what works been carried out in the past and today my girlfriend came along and said "Yea the oil light came on and it kept beeping really loud, So I just drove down the street and re-parked the car"

*facepalm*

So considering this car has probably never been serviced correctly what should be done on say a car with 40,000 miles and 8 years old?

Thanks...

Oh also what Oil does a 1.0L Arosa take?!

 

[Boo]

Oil should be 10 40w part synthetic ?

 

[Boo]

Its also due a cambelt change. You would be wise to change the air filter as well as the oil filter when your doing the oil change.

 

[CJRamze]

Bugger I didn't realise the 1.0L had cambelts, i thought they were like the 1.2 ibiza's and had timing chains instead.

Oh lawdy lawd.

 

[andyj]

If you've got no known history on it, and it's 8-years old with 40k on the clock, I'd suggest the following:

Oil Change (inc new filter, sump plug and washer) - every 10k / 12 months - Use a good quality 10w40 semi-synth oil, something like Quantum Synta etc
Air Filter Change - every 20k / 24 months
Fuel Filter Change - every 20k / 24 months
Brake Fluid Change - every 2 years
Cambelt - every 60k / 48 months

I'd also be tempted to check/clean the rear brakes (probably drums), and replace the shoes if required.

How's that for starters

 

[CJRamze]

Thanks Andy its alot of help.
I was just looking at getting the cam belt and water pump replaced.
I've asked the mrs is she can find the service book and see what's been gone in the past.
The last thing we want is the cam belt to break but she doesn't take care of her car, shes used to her parents doing everything.

Now its me that'll be doing everything!

 

[andyj]

get a metal impellor on the water-pump if you can, the plastic ones are reknowned for breaking

 

[lunalupi]

You'll usually get a metal impeller one, but it's worth making sure when you buy it.

Otherwise, just do a service like you would any other car, although if it's been neglected:

Change all the filters (oil, fuel, air and pollen)
Change the oil
Change the spark plugs
Change the brake fluid.
Inspect the HT leads, if they are damaged at all then replace them (although this would normally show up as the engine will misfire on the odd occasion, more often if badly damaged).
Change the cambelt and waterpump
Have a look at the fanbelt, if looks worn you might as well change it for the few quid a new belt costs.

They are pretty bullet proof these engines though, so a bit of neglect will not worry it too much!

 

[CJRamze]

HI all
Thanks for the advice, Anyway Holly (Thats my girlfriend) had her parents over today, they put a bit more 10w40 in just to keep it safe however her dad said the Oil was like SLUDGE!

Obviously thats a bad sign, Also it turns out it DOES have a service history thats as long as my arm up until.... 2006
That was the last time it was serviced! I was livid!

Silly holly not checking.

Anyway Looks like its a big cost but we'll work it out somehow, I'm suprised it hasn't packed up in all this time.
Any recommendations on the clutch? Its so hard to push down its beyond a joke and its already had the pedal box replaced 6 years ago according to the documentations.

 

[lunalupi]

Probably needs changing, mine needed legs like Popeye before it was given a new one.

You an get a clutch kit for about £60, less if you know the right people, then it's about 4 hours labour to fit, which is free if you can do it yourself or have someone who can

 

[CJRamze]

Just so you know, I took it to a VW Specialist in the area,

It hadn't been serviced correctly "Possibly" since the car was shipped.
All the spark plugs were rusted, funny colours and not sparking correctly.
The oil was thick black sludge
The cambelt was the size of a rubber band and horribly corroded, the water pump was also falling apart.

The tensioners for the belt were close to falling off, The brakes had never been bled!
The clutch is 90% worn and the pedal box is broken nearly totally.

So a FULL service, Cambelt change/waterpump/tensioners was £300
The pedalbox/clutch/possible flywheel will be £400

 

[lunalupi]

That's terrible - old owners obviously didn't care for it at all! Sounds like you caught it just in time.

But it's a tough old engine, so hopefully now you've given it some attention it will keep on running