Hello,

Just wondered if anyone is happy with their 1.4 16V and have had no issues with their engine

Or is the dreaded piston ring problem inevitable ???

Jon

I think it seems to be when, not if - but driving in the right style can pro-long it. (I think.)

Revving it is meant to help as it keeps the engine clear of build up and carbon deposites which cause the issue - or so I was told by a garage. How many miles has yours done so far? Oh, and it's only the AUB code that suffers, not the later ones (BBZ I think).

I never had a problem with mine, some do, some do not....

It also helps by using Super Unleaded/V-Power, etc. as thats what is recommended by the manufacturer

My AUB is at 8 years but only 40.5 k miles. I have had various issues with momentary power loss and fluttering tickover (and generally poor tickover control). I also feel that far more oil passes out of the breather ruining the air filter than is healthy. I still worry all the time about the inevitability, hence the low mileage as I only drive it when absolute necessary (I believe it is still on the original rings). I've had to have the throttle body/EGR cleaned and re-aligned a few times. I believe it helps to keep the breather hose cleaned regularly and I agree revving it hard once in a while helps to clear things out. I also generally use super unleaded. I wouldn't say that I was particularly impressed with the engine though - poor electronic throttle response (could be worse cf Toyota) and completely gutless below 3,500 rpm (but great thereafter). I also use a VW independent now whom uses a VW engine oil which I'd assume probably helps too. Some oil usage but not completely excessive at the moment. Fingers crossed!!!

51 plate Elegance, original rings, 124k!

Had to replace the ignition pack twice (it cracks and doesn't like the wet), all the brakes once and I've fixed annoying little things like electric window winders.

I still have a dodgy drivers heated seat that I WILL fix...

Getting rid of the rubber butterfly valve thing in the airbox breather pipe entry cured the oil usage. It uses a little bit of water every week, but nothing a little top up on a saturday doesn't cure.

I do a 400 mile a week commute and every morning I join the A90 and totally cane it to get it up to 80 before a big truck gets me. No problem with the acceleration

Of course I've probably gone and jinxed the whole thing now.....

My Fabia has 83500 miles on the clock, but sounds like a diesel, just cleaned the throttle body and EGR system, but i fear the piston rings maybe on their way out, is there a way to find out? when running on 95 RON it has a tendency of hunting for revs when idling.

It sounds like a diesel because the hydraulic valvegear is noisy, nothing to really worry about.

Do a compression test to verify ring issues.

DON'T run it on 95 octane is the obvious answer to that problem.

Also, NECROMANCY! Make a new thread please in future.

Also, NECROMANCY! Make a new thread please in future.

Don't see the problem in this case. Drives me mad when someone bumps any old random thread with their first post just because it happened to show up on Google as a result for an unrelated problem, but if there's already a thread full of information then why not reuse it? If more people did this, we wouldn't have pages full of "will these wheels fit?", "should I lower my car?", etc.

Searching and re-using old threads makes sense, Briskoda's big enough that most things have been covered already and it saves going over old ground constantly...

Don't see the problem in this case. Drives me mad when someone bumps any old random thread with their first post just because it happened to show up on Google as a result for an unrelated problem, but if there's already a thread full of information then why not reuse it? If more people did this, we wouldn't have pages full of "will these wheels fit?", "should I lower my car?", etc.

Searching and re-using old threads makes sense, Briskoda's big enough that most things have been covered already and it saves going over old ground constantly...

You make some perfectly valid points but, please understand that forum etiquette since the days of Usenet state that you should start a new thread. Some of us really have been using the internet that long. It's like washing your hands after going for a pee, anyone half intelligent would know that you should wash them beforehand since your hands are so much dirtier than any other part of you.

Edit: And I did say please, therefore your reply is not only off-topic but slightly rude as well.

Edited 18 February, 201214 yr by sepulchrave

Suit yourself, you offended me, not the other way round, I guess that makes me wrong, right?

Many of us try and contribute on these forums, your money is no less useful, however, clearly you can afford to pay for professional advice.