2007 SKODA ROOMSTER maintenance

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ribbed belt, alternator, radiator fan) and from the high-voltage ignition system. Please observe in addition the following:
− Never touch the electrical cables of the ignition system.
− Absolutely avoid any jewellery, loose items of clothing or long hair from getting into the rotating parts of the engine - Hazard! Therefore remove any jewellery beforehand, tie up your hair and wear tight fitting clothing.
•Please also comply with the warnin g instructions stated below when carrying out any essential work on the fuel system or on the electrical system:
− Always separate the car battery from the electrical system.
− Do not smoke.
− Never carry out any work close to naked flames.
− Always keep a working fire extinguisher at hand.
Caution
When replenishing fluids in the engine, always ensure that the fluids are on no account mixed up. This may result in ma jor operating problems and also vehicle damage!
Overview of the engine compartment
The main inspection points
Fig. 157 Diesel engine 1.9 litre/77 kW
Coolant expansion bottle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil filler opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil dipstick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Battery (below a cover) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Note
The location of the inspection points in the engine compartment of petrol and diesel engines is practically identical.
WARNING (continued)
B5J-0061H
A1179
A2186
A3178
A4177
A5181
A6182
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Check engine oil level
The dipstick indicates the level of oil in the engine.
Checking the oil level
– Park the vehicle on a horizontal surface.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compartment” on
page 174.
– Wait a few minutes and pull out the oil dipstick ⇒.
– Wipe off the dipstick with a clea n cloth and insert it again fully.
– Then withdraw the dipstick ag ain and read off the oil level.
Oil level within range
– You must not top up the oil.
Oil level within range
– You may top up the oil. It is possible that the oil level may then be
within range after doing this.
Oil level within range
–You must top up the oil. It is sufficient, once this is done, to keep the
oil level is within range .
It is normal for the engine to consume oi l. The oil consumption may be as much as 0.5 l/1 000 km depending on your style of driving and the conditions under which you operate your vehicle. The oil consumpt ion may be slightly higher than this during the first 5 000 kilometres.
One should therefore check the oil level at regular intervals, preferably every time after the fuel tank is filled or after driving for long stretches.
We recommend maintaining the oil level within the range if the engine has been operating at high loads, for example during a lengthy motorway trip during the summer months, towing a trailer or negotiating a high mountain pass, but not above this .
The warning light in the instrument cluster* will indicate ⇒page 25 whether the oil level is too low. In this case, check the oil level as soon as possible. Top up with an appropriate quantity of oil.
WARNING
Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 174, “Working in the engine compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
Caution
•Always check the oil level on vehicles with engine 1.2 l/51 kW when the engine is warm. Otherwise the measuring result is incorrect und oil could be incorrectly replenished - risk of engine damage!
•The oil level must on no account ex tend beyond the range . Danger of damaging the cata lytic converter.
•Do not continue your journey if for some reason it is not possible under the conditions prev ailing to top up with oil. Switch the engine off and obtain profes- sional assistance from a specialist garage, otherwise it could lead to severe engine damage.
Fig. 158 Dipstick
Aa
Ab
Aa
Ac
Ab
Ab
Aa
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Replenishing engine oil
– Inspect the oil level ⇒page 177.
– Unscrew the cap of the engine oil filler opening.
– Pour in a suitable grade of oil in portions of 0.5 litres ⇒page 176,
“Engine oil specifications”.
– Inspect the oil level ⇒page 177.
– Carefully screw on the cap of the filler opening and push the dipstick
in fully.
WARNING
•Avoid dripping oil onto hot parts of the engine when topping up will oil - a risk of fire!
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 174, “Working in the engine compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
For the sake of the environment
The oil level must on no account be above the range ⇒page 177. Oil will other- wise be drawn in through the crankcas e ventilation and may pass through the exhaust system to atmosphere. The oil ma y combust in the catalytic converter and damage it.
Changing engine oil
The engine oil must be changed at the intervals stated in the Service schedule or according to the service interval indicator ⇒page 11.
WARNING
•Only carry out the engine oil change, if you have the required profes- sional knowledge!
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 174, “Working in the engine compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
•Let the engine cool down - risk of burning from hot oil.
•Wear an eye protection - risk of caustic burns due to oil splashes.
•Oil is toxic! Store old oil in a safe place out of the reach of children and unauthorized persons until you dispose of it properly.
Caution
You must not pour any additives into th e engine oil - risk of engine damage! Damage, which results from such produc t, are excluded from the warranty.
For the sake of the environment
•You must on no account pour oil into the ground or into the sewage system.
•In view of the problems involved in properly disposing of old oil, the material, equipment and the knowledge required fo r such work, we recommend that you have the oil and oil filter change carr ied out by your Škoda Service Partner.
Note
After your skin has come in contact with the oil, you must thoroughly wash your skin.
Cooling system
Coolant
The job of the coolant is to cool the engine.
The cooling system does not require an y maintenance under normal operating conditions. The coolant consis ts of water with a concentration of coolant additive of 40 %. This mixture not only provides antifreeze protection down to -25°C but
Aa
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also protects the cooling and heating system from corrosion. It also prevents the formation of scale and significantly increases the boiling point of the coolant.
You must therefore not reduce the concentr ation of antifreeze agent in the coolant by adding water, also not during the summ er months or in countries with a warm climate. The concentration of coolant additive in the coolant must be at least 40%.
You can increase the amount of antifreeze in the coolant if a higher concentration of antifreeze is necessary for climatic reasons but only up to 60% (antifreeze protection down to approx. -40°C). The an tifreeze protection tails off above that concentration.
Vehicles exported to countries with a co ld climate (e.g. Sweden, Norway, Finland) are already factory-filled with a coolant wh ich offers antifreeze protection down to about -35°C. In these countries the concentr ation of coolant additive should be at least 50 %.
Coolant
The cooling system is filled at the works with coolant (purple in colour), which complies with the specification TL-VW 774 F.
We recommend that you use the antifreeze agent - G12 PLUS (purple in colour).
We recommend that you contact your Škod a Service Partner if you have any ques- tions regarding the coolant or if you wish to fill up with a different coolant.
Your Škoda Service Partner can also suppl y you with the correct coolant additives.
Caution
•Other coolant additives may cause operational problems which, in partic- ular, involves significantly redu cing the anticorrosion effect.
•Any faults or problems resulting from corrosion may cause a loss of coolant and, as a consequence of th is, result in major engine damage.
Inspecting the coolant level
The coolant expansion bottle is located in the engine compartment on
the right.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compartment” on
page 174.
– Check the level of coolant in the coolant expansion bottle ⇒fig. 159.
The coolant level when the engine is cold must lie between the “MIN”
and “MAX” markings. The level may also rise slightly above the
“MAX” marking when the engine is warm.
If the coolant level in the reservoir is too low, this is indicated by the warning light in the instrument cluster  ⇒page 24. We nevertheless recommend inspecting the coolant level directly at the reservoir from time to time.
Loss of coolant
A loss of coolant is first and foremost an indication of a leak in the system. You should not merely top up the coolant in the reservoir. It is also important to have the cooling system inspected without delay by a specialist garage.
Fig. 159 Engine compartment: Coolant expansion bottle
ABAA
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Radiator fan
The radiator fan may switch on suddenly.
The radiator fan is driven by an electric motor and controlled by a thermostat according to the coolant temperature.
The radiator fan may continue running fo r up to 10 minutes after the engine has been switched off - even if the ignition is also off. It may also switch on suddenly after a certain time, if
•the coolant temperature ha s risen because of an accumulation of heat or
•the warm engine compartment is heated up additionally by strong sunlight.
WARNING
You must therefore be aware when working in the engine compartment that the fan may switch on suddenly - risk of injury!
Brake fluid
Inspecting the brake fluid level
The brake fluid reservoir is located on the left of the engine compartment.
The brake fluid reservoir on right-hand steering models is positioned on
the other side of the engine compartment.
– Switch the engine off.
– Open the bonnet ⇒ in “Working in the engine compartment” on
page 174.
– Inspect the brake fluid level in the reservoir ⇒fig. 160. The level must
be between the “MIN” and “MAX” markings.
A slight drop in the fluid level results when driving due to normal wear-and-tear and automatic adjustment of the br ake pads, and is perfectly normal.
There may be an indication of a leak in the brake system, however, if the fluid level drops significantly within a short time or if it drops below the “MIN” marking. A situ-ation where the brake fluid level is too low is indicated by the warning light  lighting up in the instrument cluster ⇒page 28. In this case stop the car immedi- ately and do not drive any further! Cont act a Škoda Dealer to obtain profes- sional assistance.
WARNING
•Read and observe the warning notes ⇒page 174, “Working in the engine compartment” before working in the engine compartment.
•If the fluid level has dropped below the MIN marking, do not drive any further - risk of accident! Contact a Škoda dealer to obtain professional assistance.
Replacing brake fluid
Brake fluid absorbs moisture. This causes the fluid to absorb moisture from the surrounding air over a period of time. Excessive water in the brake fluid may be the cause of corrosion in the brake system. Th e water content also lowers the boiling point of the brake fluid. This is why brake fluid must be replaced every two years.
Fig. 160 Engine compartment: Brake fluid reservoir
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WARNING
•The battery acid is strongly corrosive and must, therefore, be handled with the greatest of care. Always we ar protective gloves, eye and skin protection when handling batteries. Corrosive fumes in the air irritate the air passages and lead to conjunctivitis and inflammation of the air passages in the lungs. Battery acid corrodes dental enamel and creates deep wounds after contact with the skin which take a long time to heal. Repeated contact with diluted acids causes skin diseases (inflammations, ulcers, slin cracks). Acids coming into contact with water are diluted accompanied by significant development of heat.
•Do not tilt the battery otherwise battery electrolyte may flow out of the battery vent openings. Prot ect the eyes with safety glasses or a shield! There is the danger of suffering blindness! If any battery electrolyte gets into your eye, rinse out your eye immediately with clear water for several minutes. Contact a doctor without delay.
•Splashes of acid on your skin or clothes should be neutralised as soon as possible using soap suds and then rinsed with plenty of water. Contact a doctor immediately if you swallow battery electrolyte.
•Keep batteries out of the reach of children.
•Hydrogen is released when you char ge a battery and a highly explosive gas mixture is produced. An explosion can be caused through sparkling over during unclamping or loosening of the cable plug while the ignition is on.
•Bridging of the poles will create a short circuit (e.g. through metal objects, cables). Possible consequences of a short circuit: Melting of lead struts, explosion and burning of the battery, jets of acid spurting out.
•It is prohibited to work with a naked flame and light, to smoke or to carry out any activities which produce sparks. Avoid creating sparks when working with cables and electrical device s. Strong sparking represents a risk of injury.
•Before carrying out any work on the electrical system, switch off the engine, the ignition as well as all electrical components and disconnect the negative cable (-) on the battery. If you wish to replace a bulb it is sufficient to switch off the appropriate light.
•Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic burns! Replace a frozen battery.
•Never use a battery which is damaged - risk of explosion! Immediately replace a damaged battery.
Caution
•You must only disconnect the battery if the ignition is switched off, otherwise the electrical system (electronic components) of the vehicle may be damaged. When disconnecting the battery from the el ectrical system of the vehicle, first disconnect the negative terminal (-) of th e battery. Then disconnect the positive terminal (+).
•When reconnecting the battery, first conne ct the positive terminal (+) and only then the negative terminal (-) of the batt ery. You must on no account connect the cables wrongly - risk of a cable fire.
•Ensure that battery acid does not come into contact with the vehicle body otherwise damage could occur to the paintwork.
•Do not place the battery in direct daylight in order to protect the battery housing from the effects of ultra-violet light.
For the sake of the environment
A removed battery is a special type of waste which is harmful to the environment - we recommend that you contact your Škod a Service Partner regarding disposing of the battery.
Note
•Please also refer to the guidelines ⇒page 185, “Disconnecting and recon- necting the battery”, also after connecting the battery.
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Battery with a charge level indicator, the so-called magic eye*
There is a so-called magic eye ⇒fig. 162 located on the top of the battery. The “magic eye” changes its colour in line with the charge state of and electrolyte level in the battery.
Air bubbles can influence the colour of th e “magic eye”. For this reason carefully knock on the “magic eye” before carrying out the check.
•Green colour - the battery is adequately charged.
•Dark colour - the battery has to be charged
•Colourless or yellow colour - we reco mmend you have the battery checked by a Škoda Service Partner.
Batteries, which are more than 5 years old, must be replaced. We recommend you have the electrolyte level inspected and adjusted to the correct level or the battery replaced if necessary by a Škoda Service Partner.
Caution
If the vehicle has not been driven for more than 3 to 4 weeks, the battery will discharge because certain electrical comp onents consume electricity (e.g. control units) also in idle state. You can prevent the discharging of the battery by discon- necting the negative terminal or charging the battery constantly with a very low charging current. Please also refer to the notes when working on the battery ⇒ page 182, “Working on the battery”.
Inspecting the electrolyte level
The battery is practically maintenance-free under normal operating conditions. We do, however, recommend that you have the electrolyte level inspected from time to time by a Škoda Service Partner when outside temperatures are high or when driving on long trips. You should also check the electrolyte level ⇒page 184 each time the battery is charged.
The battery acid level will also be ch ecked as part of the Inspection Service.
Operation in winter
The battery has to provide greater amounts of electricity during the winter. It also has only part of the initial power output at low temperatures that it has at normal temperatures.
A discharged battery may already freez e at temperatures just below 0°C.
We therefore recommend that you have the battery checked by a Škoda Service Partner before the start of the winter, and recharged if necessary.
Charging the battery
A properly charged battery is essential for reliably starting the
engine.
– Read the warning notes ⇒ in “Working on the battery” on
page 182 and ⇒.
– Switch the ignition and all electrical components off.
– Only for “quick-charging” : Disconnect both battery cables (first of all
“negative”, then “positive”).
– Carefully attach the terminal clam ps of the charger to the battery
terminals (red = “positive”, black = “negative”).
– You can now plug the mains cable of the charger into the power socket
and switch on the charger.
Fig. 162 Battery with a charge level indicator
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– When charging is completed: switch the charger off and unplug the
mains cable from the power socket.
– Only then should you disconnect the terminal clamps of the charger.
– Reconnect the cables to the battery (first of all “positive”, then “nega-
tive”).
It is not normally necessary to disconnect the cables of the battery if you recharge the battery using low ampera ges (as for example from a mini-charger). Please also refer to the instructions from the charger manufacturer.
A charging current of 0.1 of the total batter y capacity (or lower) is that which should be used until full charging is achieved.
It is, however, necessary to disconnect both cables before charging the battery with high amperages, so-called “ quick-charging”.
“Quick-charging” a battery is dangerous ⇒ in “Working on the battery” on page 182. It requires a special charger an d appropriate knowledge. We therefore recommend that you have your battery qu ick-charged only by your Škoda Service Par tner.
A discharged battery may already freeze at temperatures just below 0°C ⇒. We recommend that you no longer use a ba ttery which has thawed out because the casing of the battery may be cracked through the formation of ice and this would allow battery electrolyte to flow out.
The vent plugs of the battery should not be opened for charging.
WARNING
Never charge a frozen or thawed battery - risk of explosion and caustic burns! Replace a frozen battery.
Disconnecting and reconnecting the battery
On disconnecting and reconnecting the batte ry the following functions are initially deactivated or are no longer able to operate fault-free.
We recommend having the vehicle checked by a Škoda Service Partner to ensure full functionality of all electrical systems.
Replacing the battery
You should only replace a battery with a new battery of the same capacity, voltage (12 V), amperage and of the same size. Škoda Service Partners have a range of suit-able batteries available.
We recommend that you only have an ol d battery disposed of by your Škoda Service Partner since it does require special disposal.
For the sake of the environment
Batteries contain pois onous substances such as sulphuric acid and lead. They must be disposed of in accordance with loca l environmental protection regulations and on no account as domestic waste.
OperationOperating measure
Electrical power window (operational faults)⇒ page 42
Enter radio code numbersee Radio Operating Instruc- tions
Set hours⇒ page 13
Data in the multi-functional indicator* are deleted.⇒ page 13
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