staro30

No warning lights came on when I lost a bit of power and drove on for 10 miles. Can anyone share a picture of what to do underneath the car to get the fuel pipe off and drain? Not quite sure how it will drain back up from ground level into my 1ft x 2ft tub even with a secure pipe attached? Force of the full tank? Here is a video of the engine when we attempt to start! Fixable? Likely cost? 20231114_111830 - Trim.mp4

So I started to lose power which turned out to be the timing belt slipping. Drove on for 10 miles. Then it must have slipped completely and the car stopped. It will not start. Belt is not snapped but the mechanic who recovered me has stated it needs a new engine. At 130,000 miles it looks like that is the case. Or is it? What are my chance of sorting this inc labour for about £500?! Local scrappers are offering £200 but it has a new tyre on last week and a full tank of diesel thus I've asked for 400. Likely? Quite happy to take the wheel/tyre off and put the spare but not sure if its worth it for £40 from someone on FB. Best way to get diesel out? Suck it?! Will the tube get past any anti-siphon mechanism? Drain from bottom somehow? Any other spares I could take off easily and sell quickly? In mouring (been a great car) Staro

I've charged the new battery in situ in the car and within 5 mins it goes from 'amber' to 'green' indicating its fully charged. A multimeter test also reads 13.64 Sadly despite sepulchrave's strong assertions that the loss of power steering is down to the battery it looks like my local mechanic was correct. Albeit I doubt I'm going down that route and I'll try to trade it in or scrap it. Shame really at 105k. I've had Ford an Vauxhall petrol cars go way beyond 105k!

I didn't charge it before fitting it. I have a charger so I can still try that then give it a good run next week. Good idea?

So the new battery is in and I have driven the 4 miles home and sadly the power steering is not kicking in. It remains off with a brand new battery so sadly I am close to scrapping this lovely car as spending the quoted £750/£1300 for a new steering rack/controller is not worth it on a 105k 59 plate! I will give the car one last big run next week (150 miles) and hope that somehow helps! Will let you know how I get on.

About 6 years. I've WD-40'd it a lot, let it soak but it won't budge. My socket spanner isn't the longest. Think I'm starting to round it too so will have to try the local garage again I think.

Hi Sepulchrave, I have purchased a new battery but just need to get that rusted battery bracket off! My multimeter is giving a reading of 12.37 volts on the existing battery. Should I bother to fit this new battery as you suggested? Thanks Jon

Thanks for your advice. Mechanic did state it might just be the controller and not the rack. A new controller and fitting about £350-400. Rack was the expensive bit at £600. Never had a new battery in 6-7 years so will try that. Will let you know.

Gear linkage fixed by different local mechanic. All fine now and only cost £20! Power steering issue is either the steering rack and/or the controller. Both these items new and fitted will cost £1300!!!!! The car is hardly worth much more than that! Battery and alternator have been checked. I lose power steering only when low speed such as pulling into drive or car parks. If the steering dashboard light isn't on then likely to get through MOT. Anyone had experience of this issue and what was the outcome?

Gear box oil hasn't been changed. Engine oil change has. Will search for a local VW specialist.

So it had its first oil change in 75k miles and gear linkages greased but gear stick still stiff and now won't even go into 1st! Reverse is hard. 2nd fine. Off to a different mechanic tomorrow!

Starting to lose power steering too. The light comes one and power steering has gone. Then it comes back after a few minutes. Then fails again when pulling into my drive. Its been to the garage with the advice above (gear linkage/grease, oil change, power steering fluid maybe) and its been returned as 'all done' but its still the same! Waiting for a call back. No bill yet. Anyone local to Peterborough/South Lincs who recommends an honest garage for Skoda Fabia? Not overly keen on the dealership.

Thanks. How much labour do you think that is for a local mechanic? Couple or hours or all day? Cheers

Hi, Not been using the car too much obviously but a sluggish and stiff gear change has appeared quite suddenly. Into reverse. From 2nd to 3rd. Super slick only a couple of weeks ago. Been reading - could be low on gear oil. Do I have to get under the car to locate and top this up? Could I check anything else? Could it be because just not been for a long run for months? Car has run like a dream from 29k to 105k over the last few years with no service and no need to top up oil, clutch fluid, etc! Have id'd the following oil for my Fabia Mk2 Tdi 1.4 - VW Volkswagen Audi Skoda Transmission Oil Manual SAE 75 1L G060726A2 Cheers Jon

Fuse number 32 is good too!