Some questions from a new owner

[guest4540]

Hi all, I've just acquired my mothers Jazz as she longer drives. Its a 2003 model with the 1.4 dsi engine (I believe). The V5 lists it as an SE Sport.

The car has 22000 miles on it and has been regularly serviced during this time. I replaced the EGR valve a few years ago and also put a new battery in.

A couple of questions.

The rear washer seems to be faulty. The pump makes the relevant noises when I twist the stalk but nothing apart from the smallest drop of water appears at the nozzle. Is this a known issue?

Does this engine have a timing belt or chain? If a belt would it be recommended I change it despite the low mileage?

Thanks.

[guest255]

No known issues with rear washer, sounds like some blockage try removing the nozzle and running the pump.

Engine has a timing chain so no replacement to worry about.

[guest4540]

Thanks for the quick reply. My other car is 2009 Octavia vRS which has just slipped its timing chain and destroyed the engine so I'm a little cautious in that area at the moment!

[guest4540]

Should have had a search around the forums first, there's a wealth of information here!

[guest4078]

Bad luck with your Skoda. Honest John highlights the plastic pulleys as a weakness with the engine. My Jazz now has 100k and the engine is still very sweet, even though it has not been loved all its life.

As said, take off the sprayer and have a poke about down the pipe with a bit of wire to try and get at any blockage. I suppose you have checked to see the pipe is still connected...

[culzean]

you can sometimes clear a blocked jet by putting your mouth over it and blowing hard,  the blockage may come back but at least it will tell you what problem is.  There is also a non-return valve in the line to rear washer spray, (lift up tailgate and look at centre of top edge of rear aperture where tube comes through from car and into tailgate) this can corrode up and stick,  or (as happened on my Jazz) can leak and allow water to drain back all the way to washer bottle, i just bought another in-line one from Halfords for about £2

[lexi]

   A good bristle from a paintbrush can clear a blocked jet without damaging the jet itself.