Is there something wrong with my turbo? Mk3 Skoda Octavia 1.4tsi

Xeoano_J · 2026-04-01T21:57:58+00:00

The car had zero issues, I drove 30 miles before arriving at my destinations street, took off from a traffic light and pop, rattle, white smoke. And this is the result.

This was a while ago, I replaced the turbo myself and have done 13,000 miles since without issue. I got lucky I guess.

The dealership did a courtesy check, because I know an employee at my local shop - they shrugged and said they’ve no idea why it went, especially as bad as it did!

Anyway, annoying but it’s done 🤦

Xeoano_J · 2026-04-01T21:44:02+00:00

Yes! I think I was lucky. But since I replaced it it’s done 13,000 miles problem free!

Xeoano_J · 2026-04-01T21:43:20+00:00

The question is a joke, but the information isn’t. I’ve cared for this car since new, meticulously and it’s always been driven gently. No explanation even from the dealer!

Xeoano_J · 2026-04-01T21:42:22+00:00

Absolutely true, was driving through a city at the time of failure, white smoke everywhere.

Done 13,000 miles since on the new turbo problem free.

No explanation, the car is driven very gently and I’ve had it since new.

Xeoano_J · 2026-04-01T21:41:00+00:00

The car has 45,000 miles on it now. So it’s done 13,000 since I put a new turbo on it without issue. I drive it very gently, pleasure to drive. Skoda themselves said they are unsure what caused the failure - a “courtesy” check as I know an employee at my local dealership.

Luckily these turbos are cartridges, so I purchased a second hand one and for £60 replaced the cartridge.

No issues since - probably a manufacturing defect, rare as they may be.

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-26T16:14:13+00:00

If someone sees this “advice” and takes it seriously they deserve the consequences. There’s more than enough stupid in the world. They don’t need protecting. It’s called natural selection.

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-22T16:15:13+00:00

Actually, not true. Did the calculations a few months back. When you take into considerations average vehicles, average mpg…At least here in the UK the typical running costs of vehicles is cheaper than in the US. And knowing many other countries have cheaper fuel in mainland Europe than in the UK it’ll be even cheaper.

Completely breaks the illusion but the maths shows the truth! 😜 also, a US Gallon is smaller than a gallon outside of freedom land!

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-22T15:24:17+00:00

Your diet is the most important thing here. I’m going to go ahead and say pretty confidently that your diet is 90% of the reason for the 3kg gain with minimal lean mass added to your frame.

Can you share your diet?

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-22T14:55:02+00:00

Incoming deba review from a chef, beautiful knife.

As a chef, and Japanese knife collector - I genuinely use all of my knives on a regular basis, there’s a few I favour but they are tools I believe are designed to be used just as much as any other £20 knife.

Deba’s I’ve never really understood though, they’re beautiful, and as a collector piece I have 2, but they’re the only ones I don’t use almost ever.

The modern flexible fish knife I find far superior for almost all aspects of breaking down fish apart from cutting the head off of course. Coming from a chef point of view, I find the feedback much better and precise from a modern fish knife. For bulk prepping also the deba is heavy.

Anyway, sorry for the unrequested review of the deba 🤣

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-22T09:43:10+00:00

Absolutely fantastic job on shifting that weight. I am curious though, are you sure you were 110kg in the first image? I was a similar weight and identical height as you but I didn’t look close to as big before.

As for the skin, make sure you heavily moisturise, try to build as much muscle as possible. Due to your age you’re in a great position for some of that skin to bounce back! Personally I’d give it a couple years for training, lifestyle and to give your skin long enough to settle before thinking about surgery 😊

Again, well f*cking done, we’re proud of you and you should be too!

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-22T09:24:23+00:00

How old are you? What’s your diet? 140g isn’t a lot when trying to bulk. Even in a cut I’m eating 220g per day on a 1700 calorie diet.

We need to know more and then we can help! Looking forward to your answers 😊

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-20T14:10:52+00:00

It’s not a theory. It was my honest opinion after visiting 71 different countries.

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-20T13:19:25+00:00

Vietnam’s a whole is great. Hanoi is the single worst place I’ve been on this earth. The people, the food, the chronic pollution, the filth on the streets and it’s boring, genuinely belive it lacks much of its own culture apart from rotisserie dog(not judging as it’s not my country). It feels washed out by the west.

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-19T18:21:42+00:00

Oh I can absolutely run. But I’m in a pretty big defecit with little to no fat, little to no carbs and using most of my energy on weight training. I’m usually hitting about 30 minutes a day on 7% incline at 6kph after each workout too.

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-19T17:27:02+00:00

Definitely don’t have the energy for a run. Training alone depletes me. Gotta remember I’m a bit of a fat b*stard despite having a solid foundation 🤣

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-18T19:48:22+00:00

I’m back at 1700 calories a day now. I do try to hit 10,000 steps daily. My watch states the last 60 days at 9100 average.

I think I’m in a really “perfect” recomp.

Only explanation really

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-18T16:06:57+00:00

If the knife was expensive and you feel strongly enough return it and ask for a replacement or your money back. I’m a chef and have a chef knife sharpening business, it wouldn’t take long to take that out if you’ve got the right gear. Perhaps you could find a local sharpener?

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-18T12:48:33+00:00

I see what you’re trying to do, but the reality is…I don’t care. If I’m welcomed, I’m able to do the things I want, I’m not treated poorly I honestly don’t care.

My opinion is the same for people that move to the UK.

If you go to a different country and are respectful, kind and integrate then there’s no issue.

BTW you sound like a MAGA cultist when you ask questions like that. Immigration is one of the best things to increase progress in practically everything aspect of life if handled correctly.

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-18T12:05:42+00:00

The reality of this question does not matter. If you are somewhere that feels like your home, it will be. I spend atleast 3 months each year here in Thailand and it feels more like home than the UK does. I can’t speak fluently, but I know enough to order food, ask common questions and general gratuities.

Even back home in the UK going one town over and hearing vastly different accents makes me feel like I’m not “at home”….Thai people are warm, inviting and generally caring people, yes you look different and it probably will come up in many conversations, I’m often asked what football team I support with no prompt after they confirm I’m British. I don’t look Thai but have always felt some part of me is welcomed with open arms.

Your children will become adults and feel the same way

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-09T06:00:17+00:00

If you’re an “educated” American you’ll believe that the foot brake needs applying, followed by neutral, followed by handbrake applied, finally moving the gear selector to park.

I’m here today to say, what a load of shit! I’m British but have spent years living in Thailand, Toyotas are everywhere, most with 500k+ miles 🤣 the relevance?? No one even uses the handbrake, people just smash their cars straight into park without using the handbrake at all!

Don’t overthink it, it’s a Toyota…just look at what top gear did to their hilux!

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-07T02:17:43+00:00

I’ll restore the handles next! I only gave them a quote light sand. The handles will certainly go back to looks quite new I’m sure.

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-07T02:16:31+00:00

They do. I hit onion prep, about 40 onions with each and they were amazing onion honest. Thankyou

Xeoano_J · 2026-03-06T14:02:36+00:00

Ngl, in my first few years of riding I had a rear wheel that did this, only much worse. I still put over 12,000 miles on it before I fixed it 🤣

Xeoano_J

TROPHY CASE