Hello,

I have couple of problems with my recently bought used Skoda Fabia 1.4 16v aub with Landi LPG sequent system engine.

1.I have significant oil leaks from oil separator (at least in the service shop they told me it is called so - the big boxy thing, from the back of the engine near the wipers scatle, can be seen from below the car.) Some mechanic told me that it needs replacing, and other that it can be cleaned. Either way, I'll try to clean it first, but from your experience, can it be cleaned?

1a. In the morning there is annoying smell of petrol or oil vapors even if it runs on LPG, so i must enable inner air circulation to be able to breath on my way to work.

2. Second problem is the cold start running after one minute it varies on revs.(managed to sort this on my Vauxhall Omega 2.0 by cleaning the inlet air butterfly valve).

2a. But sometimes when stopped and started after driving for couple of kilometers it runs on 200-300 rpm and doesn't speed up if i press gas pedal at all. It continues to run so low for about 20-30 secs and then accepts gas after that.

3. Third problem is fuel consumption and performance. It eats up about 13 l of LPG in the city which I think is too much, and given that it is 100hp engine on such a small car, it should be more vivid and quick on start, but on contrary it has a bit lag when going uphill. Also on highway it spends about 10l driving 120kmh in 5th gear all the time. I dont know if it is ok, because my Vauxhall Omega 2.0 Eco tec LPG sequent used to spend less on open road.

Please advise me what to do with my car, or I'll sink it in Danube.

Thanks in advance and sorry for my English and funny part names cause I'm not from UK.

Ceda

The only thing I can advise on is the 'lag' and slow pick up. It's basiclly a characteristic of the engine, meaning they have a slow-ish throttle repsonse. Also, mine seems pretty slow and lacking in power below 2-3,000 rmp, but I assume thats due to the engine design. Mine also has high fuel consumption round town, but I don't really have any figures.

If possible, try and connect to a computer, see if there are any faults stored which will help with the rpm issues.

Also, great spelling/ English too!

Hello,

I have couple of problems with my recently bought used Skoda Fabia 1.4 16v aub with Landi LPG sequent system engine.

1.I have significant oil leaks from oil separator (at least in the service shop they told me it is called so - the big boxy thing, from the back of the engine near the wipers scatle, can be seen from below the car.) Some mechanic told me that it needs replacing, and other that it can be cleaned. Either way, I'll try to clean it first, but from your experience, can it be cleaned?

You could clean it with parafin or engine cleaner, but I'd check how much a new one is.

1a. In the morning there is annoying smell of petrol or oil vapors even if it runs on LPG, so i must enable inner air circulation to be able to breath on my way to work.

Sounds like a fuel leak under the bonnet maybe, which would explain the poor fuel consumption.

2. Second problem is the cold start running after one minute it varies on revs.(managed to sort this on my Vauxhall Omega 2.0 by cleaning the inlet air butterfly valve).

2a. But sometimes when stopped and started after driving for couple of kilometers it runs on 200-300 rpm and doesn't speed up if i press gas pedal at all. It continues to run so low for about 20-30 secs and then accepts gas after that.

Sounds like you need to clean and re-align the throttle body.

3. Third problem is fuel consumption and performance. It eats up about 13 l of LPG in the city which I think is too much, and given that it is 100hp engine on such a small car, it should be more vivid and quick on start, but on contrary it has a bit lag when going uphill. Also on highway it spends about 10l driving 120kmh in 5th gear all the time. I dont know if it is ok, because my Vauxhall Omega 2.0 Eco tec LPG sequent used to spend less on open road.

No idea about LPG, but I'd expect over 30mpg (1 gallon=4.545 litres) on petrol. Our 100BHP Lupo does 36 or so MPG, but it's lighter than a Fabia.

Please advise me what to do with my car, or I'll sink it in Danube.

Thanks in advance and sorry for my English and funny part names cause I'm not from UK.

Ceda

Your English is fine. Better than some of the native English speakers I've seen.

You should, as Triggerfish says, get the car scanned by a dealer or someone with VCDS. Do you have any warning lights on?

Might be worthwhile replacing the temperature sender as these tend to fail and tell the ECU that the engine is cold all the time which will lead to the car running rich which could account for the high fuel consumption and petrol smell.

Guys thanks for a fast reply.

TriggerFlash: It doesn't show any errors on dash, and also connected it to vag com. nothing. Showed at one point some vale... threshold, but when I changed spark plugs, LPG guy reset it and is fine now( he didn't even knew how to pronounce it so I didn't understand what error). It had quite a lot oil on 2 spark plugs and also greasy butterfly valve and hose that comes from the separator, because it is the hose that leads the hot air back in engine (oil vapors yes, but it is more than vapor). Some mechanic told me that a lot of my problems can come from this. Checked about the price. 90€ is the new one. when comparing that my salary is 500€ it is quite a lot of money for me. The LPG cost me 750€ already.

Cjb: Great response! You gave me a homework will check it and reply, but probably for the weekend because i don't have a garage and must use daylight :(

ExAudiSi: Is it the sender on the engine or one on the radiator? As i remember from some manual, there is a cold engine start sender and temperature sender. Or I mixed something up? Also when heats up, engine spins around 800 rpm. It lowers the revs from 1100 which is on start.

Thanks, I know English very well, general, daily use (I work with lot of foreigners and diplomats from Embassies in Serbia, also British finding apartments in Belgrade) but I meant the naming and describing parts. You would be surprised how it defers in direct translation from local part names.

Any suggestion on some good Vag com version? I have self assembled USB OBDII cable ordered from some German guy, and using vag v 409 t only reads errors, and work a bit funny. Will try v311 since it is recommended for 3rd party cables.

ExAudiSi: Is it the sender on the engine or one on the radiator? As i remember from some manual, there is a cold engine start sender and temperature sender. Or I mixed something up? Also when heats up, engine spins around 800 rpm. It lowers the revs from 1100 which is on start.

It's the one on the engine. However, if the engine speed is dropping as the engine warms up the one on the car maybe OK.

How quickly does the engine speed drop from 1100 to 800 rpm?

Some mechanic told me that a lot of my problems can come from this. Checked about the price. 90€ is the new one. when comparing that my salary is 500€ it is quite a lot of money for me. The LPG cost me 750€ already.

Do you mean the black, rubber pipe that goes to the airbox on top of the engine?

Personally, I can't see changing that making much difference unless your engine is using a lot of oil.

The speed is dropping about one minute or two after starting the car to 800rpm or when i press gas pedal. Then it varies a bit until is warmed up.

That rubber pipe that goes to the airbox goes from that separator that is leaking and also pushing some oil up and greasing the butterfly valve and I think all the small pipes. I will clean that thoroughly and let you know about result.

The oil seperator is part of the crankcase breather system, these engines seem to suffer if the whole system isn't very clean, incuding the pipes and the air filter housing.

Hello again!

Did some things with my car, and I'll try to post some pictures if it helps anyone else also.

1. I've dismounted the butterfly valve and cleaned thoroughly. No more variation in speed when cold.

2. Also removed the separator and sank it in petrol. My god, what came out of it. The plastic can that I've put it in was very heavy and lots of sludge on the bottom. Shake it well for 2 hours and put it back on. No more smell when starting the car. I guess it was oil vapors after all. It even got my air filter greasy so I've changed it.

3. Noticed the leakage on the oil cap. Wiped it and will monitor for leaks.

4. The picture of the oily holes on the engine block is not a spill from removing - It shows how much it leaked the oil out of the separator. Hope it will be ok now.

5. Will monitor the fuel consumption.

6. Performance didn't change :(

Any more suggestions? Thanks in advance. Ceda.

Did you also check the hose connecting the oil sperator to the air filter, and inside the air filter housing? It all needs to be clean - it's obvious from the oil stains around the seperator and filler cap that your crankcase has been pressurised. Did you re initialise the throttle body on replacement? I would still change the engine temperature sender, I think your ECU is being fooled into thinking the engine is always cold and running rich. If that cotinues then some damage could well happen as the LPG will be diluting the oil that goes to upper cylinder lubrication and you can get increased bore/piston ring wear.

I didn't reinitialize it. Didn't know that needed. I even moved the butterfly with my finger to clean thoroughly :rotz:

I have a problem with my VAG COM. Doesn't read the engine segment. Reads only central lock, abs and stuff. Used VW tool to reset the error that I had. 17961 (P1553) Maybe cause I turned the ignition on contact, tried to move the butterfly but wouldn't move without starting. I couldn't start it because the separator was soaking in petrol. Anyway removed the error and didn't happened again. It even wasn't there before the operation.

I cleanded the hose from the separator to air filter also with petrol. The one in the box, no, cause I couldn't put anything inside it (e.g. screwdriver with cloth around) cause it has something blocking few cm from the end, and the other end is curved, and I couldn't dare to pour petrol in it. If it can be done like that or with some cleaner, please let me know.

Also one more thing. I have two flip keys for my car. One is older and worn out so i took another one that I got with the car. First one starts the car and fob works, but I have additionally installed GT alarm for auto closing windows and sunroof. The other key fob starts the car but the fob doesn't work. And sometimes I just want to lock it even with windows or sunroof slightly open, but I can't. Also tried to program it in the drivers lock, but nothing happening when turning the key(door doesnt lock or unlock). I was told that this was disconnected because of the theft. Took apart the door today but couldn't remove the aluminum thing inside that holds the window. Removed all the bolts, but something kinda still holed it. Any experience about that?

Will try to buy the sender, and check the consumption after that.

How can I check if the car is running rich? With VAG?