nigelcm

Hi, Some time ago had a very unfortunate problem where the key jammed in the passenger side lock. Managed to get it out, but the lock literally broke. Can't lock the door with the key from that side. Have been told the parts inside can fall apart, and I guess this has happened on my elderly 14 year old Fabia. Done some research and got the parts. A spring, a few metal clips and other bits, bit of a struggle to put it together. Has anyone had this problem and fixed it themselves, can they explain how to do it, it's a faff putting the spring and other bits together, and can't seem to do it properly. Thanks.

I would like to replace my Fabia horn. It's a 2000 W Reg 1.9 SDi Classic. Does anyone know how to replace it themselves? Just hoping I do not need to take the front bumper off. I'd like a more meatier sounding horn, can I fit one from a higher model or Octavia or Superb without a problem, I think those are the two tone ones? Any ideas of the cost. Nigel

I'm interested - how do you fit air conditioning to this car? Can it be done to other cars e.g. a Mk1 Fabia? Thanks

Hi, I have an ageing Skoda Fabia 2000 W reg that was in good condition but has succumbed to a few unfortunate dents - they are quite large. One is in the rear door (driver's side) - upper part, the other is in the front wing on the passenger side, on the wheel arch bit. Any suggestions how to fix this cheaply, I've left it for so long. Heard you can get dent repair people but not sure if it can be done and the cost. Was even thinking of finding an old white wing and fitting it and a new door, think this might take ages. If anyone has used one of these dent repair places in London please let me know and give me an idea of the cost. If you have any of the above parts in white that would be good too! Might leave it otherwise - it is an old car but still looks fairly smart and has no rust ! Nigelcm

Sorry I know this post is a few weeks old, but an interesting post. I'm running B100 biodiesel I buy from an outlet and made to the necessary standards (EN14214) in my unmodified Fabia 1.9SDi. I have seen a reduction in mpg marginally, but it's very small. I've been running this for almost 40k miles now. I am interested in running on SVO. Any tips on the ratios are people running their SDi with vegetable oil and what type of oil are they using? I still really think the SDi is a great simple engine and even though it is horribly underpowered, shame it gets so much flack!, Are there any newer engines anyone has run B100 Biodiesel or SVO in from the VAG group, sounds like PD's potentially may not work with it, and newer engines have a DPF which adds to more problems.

On the note of repairs. Have ended up with two dents in my old Fabia Mk1, does anyone know of any places to get them sorted out. Know it's an old car but would like it repaired, heard there are dent repair companies, any recommendations for London?

Hi, Is a cambelt change really between £200-300. I rang up for VW/Audi Specialist and they quoted £400. The dealer also quoted $400 including the pump for my 1.9 SDi Fabia (2000 W reg) . If anyone knows a cheap place in North London, please let me know. Thanks

Hi, Try to find out if anyone knows a cheap place to get a cambelt changed on a Fabia 1.9 Sdi in North London. Can I ask is it worth changing the water pump? Thanks, Nigel

Hi, Mine's running fine on Biodiesel (1.9 Sdi), running for the last 10,000 miles now. It's on 118k. In the warmer months perhaps it might even function on a bit of vegetable oil. Wouldn't risk that now. Best advice is to try an older VAG group engined car, but always try out diluting biodiesel and increasing percentages slowly upwards. If you don't want to risk it, don't do it. It's not worth wrecking your car. Although in many cases it might just be a simple blocked filter which is cheap as chips and easy to change, on the left side of the engine bay. Nigel

Hi, I'm changing my oil in the Fabia. Any recommendations for my old Fabia. It's a 1.9 SDi (2000 Wreg) with 120k miles. Previously used some 15W40 Fuchs Titan for diesel engines. Wondering if I should go for something like 10W40? Thanks, Nigel

Hi, Thanks for this. I think it is the thought of spending over £400 on a car which is at best worth £900. I'm going to have to have a look around. My arms are aching!! Nigel

Hi, My power steering has failed on my 2000 W Reg Fabia (120k miles). Sorry as I have mentioned this in a previous post. In a bit of a dilemma. A local VW specialist has said it is the pump having done a diagnostic check on it. They claim is it £269 for a new pump (cheap in my opinion), £180 labour, £18 for the fluid. Looks like a £470 or so job. Might get it for £430 with a discount if I'm lucky. I'm thinking it could also be the steering angle sensor, although no mention was made by the VW Specialist. So have decided to take it for £45 to the Skoda Dealer to check, they have said £210 for the sensor, fitting and resetting if that is the cases (the sensor is about £110). This could save me the heart ache of wasting money on an expensive pump. Any thoughts? Both I know are weak point on the Mark 1 Fabia and Polo and Ibiza alike. Is it worth getting it checked at the dealer before I proceed to the new pump, being such an old car I don't want to fork out the earth for it. By the way no steering symbol on the dashboard, did initially have this and it went out, but had the flickering lights before this then dead steering. Will appreciate any opinions or anyone kind enough to plug it in to find out what has happened to it. Thanks.

Hi, This is long shot, but does anyone know how to use VAG.com? I have the cable and I think the software. Or do I have the basic version? Can't seem to find out much. If there's anyone charitable in the North London area, could anyone run me a quick diagnostic check on my old Fabia, think the steering sensor or pump is not working and need some idea of what has gone wrong? Thanks. Nigel

Hi, Could anyone tell me how they removed the steering angle sensor? Do you have to take the bumper and I presume the plastic undertray off? Thanks, Nigel

Can anyone help me. My 10 year old Fabia lost it's power steering, the steering light came on, a couple of hundred miles later it has gone out, still no assistance or possibly some. Is this a steering angle sensor fault? Or something more worrying? Will it pass the MOT? It's driveable, and I have driven it fine, a little heavy to do parking with ease. Thanks, Nigel

Hi, I'm running 100% Biodiesel in my Skoda Fabia 1.9SDi (2000 W Reg). Running fine the last 10000 miles or so on the stuff. I would take the advice from the skoda website mentioned above, do not run it below -10 degrees centigrade. The fuel gels and thickens, and it clogs the filter. Fuel consumption is slightly less, and you will have to change the filter more frequently. I had big problems in the cold snap, my filter froze as the temperature went below -10 degrees centigrade so I got into the big trouble and managed the limp home, the car kept cutting out and couldn't rev beyond 2000 rpm. A cheap £15 fuel filter change resolved this, and ran the car on diesel for the cold month and back to 1000% biodiesel now which apparently had cold winter additives for better running. I'm saving about 25p/litre from my supplier. So it's a reasonable saving if you do above average miles. I am planning to modify the filter and put a warmer to operate more efficiently in the colder temperatures. To be fair real savings would require a proper conversion to get straight vegetable oil and then seeing if you could find someone nice who gives you waste oil and filter it. I have to say there is something to be said about the old SDi despite being so so slow! Have to get that power steering sensor fixed though ....... !

Hi, Looks like the power steering problem seems to happen in lots of Fabia's. I'm hoping to change the sensor. If it helps regarding the battery, I managed to get a cheap Bosch S5 one from Costco, wasn't exactly the same fit, a bit lower in height, but it was 750amps No problems starting in the cold I guess again! Made no difference to my power steering though :( If anyone knows of where to get a new cheap sensor please post it on the forum or message me. Thanks.

Thanks for the helpful guide on the power steering problems. My poor Fabia (2000 W reg 1.SDi with 115k on the clock) is having power steering problems. Well it has had no power steering for the last 3000 miles. I had a power steering light that came on permanently for about 2 weeks, now it is off, but still no power steering. Got a VAG.com cable from China and it came up with a sensor fault. Need to change it, but it's quite a pricey component. On balance it sounds like this is faulty, but why has the light now gone out on the dashboard? A few other questions: 1. Anywhere can you source a cheap steering angle sensor, apart from the stealers? 2. Could I have damaged anything else? 3. Will it make it through the MOT? I have to say no power steering on a 1.9 diesel is certainly good for upper body exercise. You do need to plan your manoeurves! Was also going to say that I heard it mentioned the seal on these old sensors lets water in, in the past they are usually fully of water, would removing the seal let the water drain out and let it work? Reminds me of fiddling with my brake switch which after fiddling about worked! Eventually replaced the stupid thing. Saw a cheap LHD sensor on ebay, but the loom is apparently too short? How do you lengthen the loom or am I looking at soldering and all that business which is putting the connections at risk? Hope someone with some time can help me out with this!

Hi, Thanks for this advice. I think I'm going to change the battery and go back to regular diesel. I just changed the filter less than 1000 miles ago. I spoke to the chaps I buy the biodiesel from and they were very helpful. They think mine was the last batch of non-winterized stuff. Hence my trip up north must have turned my tank of biodiesel into a tank of lard. Great! I'm going to soldier on. I've got a spare filter so if needs be I'll change that, but hopefully, I'll managed to dilute out and finish the biodiesel, the car is still lumpy when I drive it even at a roughly 50/50 mixture. I thought you have to wait for the glow plug light to turn off before your start or am I wrong? I really don't want to change the glow plugs, and hoping I can make it through the winter. A nice new battery from Costco (Bosch S5) is looking at £70 inc VAT which isn't too bad. Might help my flickering dash and headlamps if I'm lucky. A bit worried about putting a cleaner through, because the 114kmiles of gunk in fuel lines and everything might clog up everything. Is there a cheap way to heat the filter, might be useful even for temps below +10 degrees C because I hear rapeseed oil biodiesel begins to solidify below this temperature. Once again thanks for this advice.

My Skoda Fabia 1.9SDi (2000 W reg) is having problems in the cold weather. Went up to the Peak District and it was probably less than -10 degree C. It didn't start. Eventually after some effort with jump start leads it turned over. Started driving and it was struggling up hills, felt like it was choking. It's running B100 Biodiesel. Luckily half the tank was empty, so promptly filled it up with regular diesel. Limped on home, but could not get up to motorway speeds. I was A roads all the way back at 40-50mph max, could not go really beyond 1500 rpm. Apparently my biodiesel may not have had enough winterizer in it. Think I'm going to go back to regular diesel now. Also think my battery is due a change, it's only 390amps (cold cranking), sort of surprised it even turned over. Has been in there the last 2 years since I bought it, and never thought to check. I'd advise everyone to see what they have under the bonnet. Apparently the AA guy who jumped started me two days before said my alternator and battery were perfect, just have the wrong battery. Could anyone help with two things: 1. What is the best battery to get? I'm looking at a Bosch S5, can't find the 780amp one so opting for a 750amp one, is that sufficient, Halfords suggest the 780amp one. Not sure if this is correct? 2. Can I run biodiesel at all in the cold weather, should I be adding anything in, I read somewhere about people adding unleaded. Is this safe under high diesel compressions? Just want my poor car to be back to normal. Have been limping on with no power steering for 2000 miles, saved me going to the gym! Thanks

Hi, Sorry to hijack the post. I have a Fabia 1.9Sdi (W reg), I am trying to put a new fuel filter (it's a diesel running on B100 Biodiesel). Found the Thermostatic T or valve which has the two pipes coming and in out of it, is jammed on possibly the O-ring. Any bright ideas house to get it out, it's jammed solid and I'm worried by levering things I might break the plastic. Thanks, Nigel

If anyone has a VRS intake so I can fit it to my SDi please contact me! I need to help my 64hp, can't afford a Tdi or Vrs at the moment, I'm skint! I should have added, I have a Skoda Fabia 1.9 Sdi 2000 W Reg. Runs fine, think the economy is suffering a bit now, only averaging 50-52 mpg including town driving. Lond runs I can get about 60-65mpg. It does run on biodiesel which I get for about 30p less a litre than diesel so it's very cheap to run the car. Probably cheaper than an LPG vehicle I'd say. A good car, solid engine, but have to say slightly underpowered, but I'd still recommend it.

Hi, I'd be interested to find out if anyone can get a cheap steering angle sensor for my old Fabia (it's a W reg!!). I bought a set of ramps to get the car up a bit and intend to change it. Oddly enough now, the steering light on the dash has gone off, and I get some occasional assist. I plugged it into VAG.com with some dodgy cable I got from Hong Kong and it says there is a sensor fault. Looks like changing it isn't too big a task, found some left hand drive one brand new for £49 on ebay but the loom is too short, not sure if I can just disconnect the old one and use it, or if it is all part of the sensor (I think it is looking at photos). Bottom line is, does anyone know of a cheap sensor I can lay my hands on?? Nigel

Thanks for that information. As I said the alternator battery and electrical system look pretty solid in the old car. I'm sort of tempted to change the battery, but it's simply another cost. I'm going to try that steering angle sensor. So any thoughts on the above from anyone on how to fix it?

I have a 2000 W reg Skoda Fabia 1.9 SDi Classic. Has been going well so far on biodiesel. Unfortunately a few days ago drove to somewhere, turned off the car. About 5 minutes later turned the car back on and the steering was unimaginably heavy. It was like a lead weight. An orange steering wheel symbol illuminated on the dashboard and stays on. I muscled with the car and managed to drive it home. I presume I have no power assistance. I called the AA. They checked the battery, alternator, fuses and the power steering fluid. I have heard the power assistance can drain up to 60 amps so thought that was wise. Before this the steering has been fine, light and easy to use. In the winter, I had to start the car twice in the cold to get the steering working, not sure if that is related. The battery, fuses alternator and power steering fluids were ok. I have heard the steering angle sensor is a common fault. I am a bit of a novice, but is this what I need to fix? What's the cost to fix this? I was thinking of attacking the job myself if it is. Just bought two axle stands. Heard I can disconnect it from the front nearside fog light blanking plate and then trace it back to the sensor which is held with two 4mm allen key type screws. If this is all going along the same line has anyone got any pictures of this, have seen a few but not that clear. Do I also have to take off the underside plastic body protection, and is this easy? Stupid question, but what is the easiest way to take off the blanking plate for the fog light, mines stuck solid a bit like my steering! Can I drive the car like this in the meantime? Sorry for my detail! Cheers!