Smooth

I have a 2012 1600 Fabia Diesel estate. It runs ok, but as soon as I reach a hill (up hill) I loose all power and have to drop to first or second gear to continue moving. The engine will not do more than 2500 rpm even with my foot to the floor. I recently took it to a Skoda garage for its 53000 mile service, cam belt, alternator belt change. Although asking them not to (though they said I did not) they carried out the Skoda engine software change. I drive ok when not on a hill, although the can does not pull away with the same vigour it used to have. I don't want to get hung up on the software upgrade but it does seem to have happened at the same time. Any ideas eg bad fuel, turbo, blocked fuel line, etc.

I have been somewhat remiss with updating this post. My local Skoda garage found out it was the compressor for the air-con which had an issue. Once they replaced it the car stopped laughing at stops and junctions.

Many thanks to everyone who has replied to me so far. I have made a recording of the sound at idle and tried to attach it. It only happens when the car is warmed up.

Many thanks and it is good to be here. The car is a 2012 reg and I bought it from a dealership in Portsmouth almost a month ago. It had 11000 miles when I bought it, but i have clocked up a further 1500 miles in my job. I do a lot of motorway driving, but with my eye on fuel economy I tend to stick at around 60mph (sorry if you get stuck behind me). I dont believe that I am or have put the car under any strain whilst I have had it as I look upon it as a long term investment. I have to say that I dont remember when i noticed the sound but it is consistently happening during idling. A friend drives a ford diesel van and says his van does not make a similar sound. He said this after he heard the Fabia making the noise. It is very much like a throaty regular heavy asthmatic laugh.

Hi I have a query about a sound my 1.6 Diesel Fabia makes when it is idling. It makes what sounds like an almost out of breath "ha ha ha" sound and the "ha's" come about one a second. The sound seems to stay constant when I pull away only to disappear under the general engine noise when I am motoring normally, though I am not sure if it does actually eventually go. I am not sure if this is a turbo or a pump. Does anyone have any idea what this may be and if it is something to be worried about, or just a general characteristic of the car. I would like to know as the car is currently under warranty and I can still get it fixed if needs be.

Hi my fellow Skodians Just bought a Skoda Fabia 1.6 diesel and am tickled pink with it. I bought it second had from a dealer in Portsmouth with just over 11000 miles on the clock. Previous to me it was owned by one careful lady driver. The wife likes it too which is double plus good. I am using it for work and have put 1500 on it already. It does not have a console on it like a eurofighter and that suites me fine. I have added a voice free Bury to it which was relatively easy to fit and now play my music from my phone where ever I go, and get my orders from the wife for grocery shopping on the way.home.