We are looking at a Fabia tomorrow 52,000 miles with full history but its the 1.4 MPI engine and would like to know what these engines are like for reliability as i have heard that this engine is the only thing thats not made by vag and that it is a modified 1.3 engine that was fitted to the estelle.

Are these engines as reliable as the vag engines? also any pointers on what i should check for would be great - Thanks.

apparently they have problems with piston rings..... I don't know much more (I've just seen the posts complaining about it!) but I'm sure someone in the know will post soon

It's the earlier 1.4 16v (up to 2004ish I think - AUB engine code) that has piston issues.

Problems with the MPi (8v) is a lumpy idle (not really an issue, more a feature) and I think the head gasket can be an issue, but most have been sorted with revised parts by now. Might have the normal Fabia issues with temp sensor causing harder starting, but all Fabia's can have this - and the coolant sensor can go, causing beeping with no faults - but again, I think this is a normal Fabia thing.

They have a timing chain, not a belt, so that shouldn't be an issue, but can get rattly over time. Not meant to be that fast, and oddly, not very economical despite the lack of performance. IMO, you'd be better off with an SDi if you can live without the performance. Seemingly bullet proof engine and skyhigh MPG, just don't expect to accelerate anywhere in a hurry!

Other things to look for - leaking rear doors/wet carpets, and play in front suspension (bushes and ARB bushes).

HTH - Joe.

Hi justinbarrow

You would be better going for the 1.4 Tdi better performance and twice the fuel economy.

Radiotwo

Hi justinbarrow

You would be better going for the 1.4 Tdi better performance and twice the fuel economy.

Radiotwo

Sounds good but what are the 1.4 diesels like for acceleration. thanks again.

As good as the 1.4 16v petrol, if better as it has mid range punch!

Sounds good but what are the 1.4 diesels like for acceleration. thanks again.

Hi again

As said they are great, admitting not as quick as the VRS but quick enough !

We had one before the VRS

Radiotwo

The 1.4 Diesels do have a fair bit of poke in them, and as stated above double the fuel economy.

Drove a 1.4 tdi as a hire car a while ago... did a 40 mile trip and put £5 diesel in, I swear the fuel gauge didn't move at all before and after that trip. Compare that to the petrol golf GL i drove a little while ago that drank nearly £10's worth in the same journey

Engine was fairly decent too, although I remember having to work it pretty hard to overtake (country road, slow lorries).

ive heard headgasket and gearbox problems are known. id stay well clear imo, go for the 1.9tdi or 1.4tdi both are good

That's all well and good, but a 1.4TDI is going cost a lot more than a 1.4 petrol for all the reasons you've given.

That's all well and good, but a 1.4TDI is going cost a lot more than a 1.4 petrol for all the reasons you've given.

Hence, my 1.9 SDi suggestion as it's roughly the same cost as the 1.4 petrols (as the MPi was dropped around 2003 for the 1.2's). Whereas the 1.4 TDi would cost a fair bit more and might be out of budget.

thanks for this everyone, i was thinking of diesel but have never drove one apart from a ford transit. I suppose they are more durable and you get better mpg.

Find one and go test drive it! They definitely drive different to petrols, either love it or hate it (like babs)

I love my little MPi. Yeah, it may not be fast, yeah the fuel economy might not be great. But I SWEAR the engine is indestructible! Just be aware of the usual suspect sensors on the Fabia range going.

mechanically the 1.4 mpi engines are sound , they give very little trouble compared to the the 1.4 16v or the 1.2 engines, not very powerful but very simple to work on yourself, gearbox problems on them are few and far between (in my experiance). get one with elec windows+ central locking otherwise they are a bit basic

Don't do it unless its pre march 01 best fuel economy i can get out of mine is 40mpg, on short runs its more like 25-30 but the killer is tax £120 a year pre march 01 £96 for 6 months after that mine was born 28 of march 01 gutted. The engine has zero performance around 60BHP( I have just fitted an induction kit and cant believe the transformation though, Its like a different car). It will go up to 110 miles an hour if pushed not that you'll ever need to go more than 70 and its quite happy doing 30 in town(a lot happier now I've got after-market air filter for getting away at roundabouts and busy junctions)

loads of elecy faults with ..well vw group in general really also my front springs broke around 50k(apparently quite common), you do get white mayo on oil cap if lots of small journeys not too much to worry about it seems just condensation. check that it gets up to temp quick as the thermostat housing is prone to break about £25 to replace so no biggy. carpets in back should be dry look for water stains at very bottom of door cards otherwise you need some silicone sealant. also as preciously mentioned check for knocking noises by going over kerbs and bumps also tap the throttle while driving along to check knocking noises. Flickering head lights could be a problem to.

I know you asked about the engine but the engine has given very few problems(water pump gasket went as well as temp sensor+thermostat).

Edited 26 January, 201016 yr by The Worm