james

Hi Guys, Been a while since I've been here as been out of Skoda ownership. However, have my eye on a 1.6 Ambiente model from 2003. Has 99k miles but full Skoda history right through and also had timing belt changes - great condition, not towed or taxi'd. I have had an Octavia but that was over 10 years ago. Do you have any pointers of potential problems with this particular model/engine that you could help me out with? Much appreciated. James

Sorry no, I should have but I didn't!

Hi Guys, Just thought I'd share this on here. My Felicia that I just bought, mint 26k miles, 2000 X Reg, was running cool. After reading some stuff on here looked very likely to be the thermostats that I now know after reading on here have a habit of failing after a few years and staying in the "open" position. This means that engine coolant is constantly being circulated around the whole system which has the effect of keeping it far cooler than it is supposed to be. With the later MPI ECU controlled cars this can have the effect of making them run poorly as the car is never up to temperature so the ECU thinks the car needs to run rich until it warms up. Not good for your wallet or, no doubt, the cat. So with a renewed confidence and armed with information from Briskoda, I invested in a new one from My link which cost all of a little over £10. I fitted it myself and it took a little over 15 minutes to do, lost a bit of coolant which I collected and re-used. So after only £10 or so and 15 mins work, the Felicia is running like the new car virtually is. Hope this might help anyone who has the same problem, and thanks to this site I now know how to fix.

Hi Guys, I was an active member of this forum some 8 (same user name...I managed to remember my password) years ago when at the time I had in a space of a few years, 2 Fabias, a Favorit, 3 Felicia's and an Octavia. Ended up with a company car and took me out of Skoda land for a good while. However, now need a car I can trust and that I know and so back in Felicia territory having just got myself a mint 26k 2000 Classic. It's nice to be back on here and to see the site has continued to go from strength to strength. I cannot believe how many members there are now, and also how lucky i was to secure my name back then, there must be 300 JamesXXX users on here now lol. I have a question about a company i used to get loads of great Skoda stuff from, JHMButtco or Butt's of Bawtry. They don't seem to sell anything remotely Skoda now which is such a shame? Does anyone know whatt he change was and if there is another company that is now similar? Cheers and nice to be back. James

Hi guys. been ages since been on here. but partner now got new fabia. can we set ourself to autolock when set off? Cheers

Pics of my Silverline in full skoda bodykit (vRS type) which I am selling is in the For Sale section. Called. Rare Fabia Silverline for Sale. Cheers (don;t know how to post a link! :confused:

I have a 2002 '02' reg Fabia Silverline that I want to sell but I just don't know how much it's worth. I have seen similar for around

Hello All, Can anyone help please. For some time my Fabia has been creaking and squeaking from the front suspension, especially at low speeds over bumps, or when coming to a stop. Problem now is that it's sounding really loud. The best way to describe it is that it's a bit like the sound of an Austin Metro's Hydro suspension when it needs pumping up/Or for those old enough to remember, like a Silver Cross Pram ( those with the elastic band type suspension) What are the known problems so far with Furby suspension? Thanks All.

I had one as a courtesy car recently and didnt know at first. I thought the engine was gonna blow up cos it didnt sound like the normal 1.4, quite a whiny engine, kinda like the old Austin Metro but not in a bad way. It's a little slower than the 1.4 mpi, but you don't notice it cos it's got a lot more low down pull, so it's actually nippier in town than the quite sluggish 1.4 mpi. Personally, I prefer the 1.2 3 cyl to the 1.4 8v, it's more refined, doesnt shake as much and gives around 12 more MPG!! Nice on Skoda, now they are also introducting a further edition of the Silverline and a Blueline, with this engine in, I have the silverline 1.4 (albeit dressed to thril in full body kit, alloys and chrome and aluminium interior and exterior trim no less!) but I would prefer the 1.2 so when i'm due to change will seriously consider this. Ok so it's not a Briskoda, but's it's ok. :drive1:

I agree wholeheartedly, however, I think we can slag them off more now than years ago. I owned an F plate Panda, had done 100,000, I owned it for 3 years, only thing ever went was the tyres, it left me with 150,000 miles and is still going somewhere locally, and I sold it over 5 years ago !!! The rest of them are of course, sh*te.

Apparently the revving 'problem' ay idle, is normal because the ecu constantly monitors emissions and consumption and makes changes to account for variances and when no pressure is applied to the throttle it will do this. This is what I was told in 2000 anyway and I do remember thinking it was the biggest load of bullsh*t even then, can't believe new owners are still having the same problem!

Hi There My other Fabia was a 16v and I had similar problems, albeit ver very very rarely, but I know I had a Lambda sensor and throttle control unit replaced, but it was in 2000 so can't remember too much. I had the revving at idle issue and also it did almost cut out a few times but then went away so never really bothered about it. Probably an ECU issue despite no fault codes, best thing rather than going back and forth to a dealer is allow it to fail properly if indeed it does continue then at least it can be sorted without wasting lots of your time. James

My only reliable and helpful Skoda dealer in the area has said that my problem with leaking rear doors is a known Fabia problem, anyone with a 2002 model year car should be vigilant in wet weather and check the rear footwell's to see if water is getting in unoticed. The water get's in, not through the door or window seals, but a backing plate behind the interior door panel that shields the interior from the outside (as kindly pointed out by Big K) ,has a seal around it, these seals can be dodgy and will let water in when it rains, as the Fabia floor coverings are dual layer, ie. carpet, then fairly thick underpadding, you may not notice the wetness, if you suspect leaking, try feeling under the carpet itself which will confirm it. A dealer will sort this out quickly if you relay the specific problem. I just thought with all the bleedin rain we have had, some of you might want to check this out so you don't get damp. :bttt:

I would gladly pay you to cure mine! 3 Skoda dealers have failed. :confused:

Thanks, Will try it.

Great thanks !! He's not really a techy so doesnt use the web that often, they're really cool, much prefer them to my standard elegance alloys. They were in excellent condition, you obviously look after them, mine are presently black and tired, willhave to get him to wonder wheels them for me

Thanks, Any idea how to remove the door cards? there doesnt seem to be any screws or fixing points? I don't want to ruin them, that would only add to the joy's of owning this car.

Probably to subsidise the Warranty purse, for all the 2002 model year Fabia's

Tell me about it. I was thinking it was just me, and everytime I forgive it's shortcomings, another one pop's up, this leaking business is just too much, I had a felicia once, only about a year old that leaked from practically every oriface sunroof, windows, boot, and even though they fixed it, it never smelt the same again! kind of like a butlins chalet if you've ever had the pleasure!. Arhggggggggggggggggggg. Cheers :cheers:

I was fairly certain you dont have to remove the black plastic thingy, because the badge actually fits over it with strong stick pads! Oh well. :p

Tis' true even the once

As well as everything else, my 2002 Fabia now has wet rear footwells and lower door panels. Has anyone experienced this problem, I seem to recall someone mentioning it, but cannot remember what the problem appeared to be, I have checked the door seals and they seem fine, the wetness coming from the lower panel suggests the water may be getting inside the door itself from outsdie, possibly the lower window seal and coming out into the car. My car now stinks, and I cannot wait to show the dealer when it goes in tomorrow for the other problems fixing such as the new Engine mount it needs!! (at 10,000 if you please!!!!!!!) ANy help would be very much appreciated

My 2002 Fabia Silverline requires a replacement engine mounting to cure excessive engine shake and knocking at low speeds. So far 2002 is proving to be a very bad build year for the Fabia, the dashboards, suspension and now engine mountings have all been suspect in my first year of owning this vehicle. Anyone considering a Fabia, go for the 2000 model year they were perfect.

MY silverline had the same stereo and I promptly ripped it out and put in a sony unit and bought the 80pence trim from skoda. stereo in the classic is so dire i can't really believe skoda put it in, for the cost of a single cd unit or better unit is negligible, besides, grundig who make them have apparently gone into administration which means skoda may have to source a new supplier, not much help to you, but there could be new stereo's on the way.