Hi I have a question about my wifes 52 plate Fabia 1.4MPI which we bought 2 months ago. When we went to pick it up the guy had just taken it out for a clean to the car wash so the engine was hot, I didnt drive it on the test drive either as I let my wife as it was going to be her car. ANyway when I drove it from cold I noticed that even after about 5 miles the engine was still cold so I asked my wife if it was when she drove it but obviously she couldnt remember (women!)

When I checked it over I did notice that there was slight creaming on the oil filler cap but it had just had a service so the oil was fine but now I am starting to put things together! would a blown head gasket cause the thermostat to break? we have had this replaced and it doesnt overheat at all and comes upto temperature however I have noticed that when the car has been used there is a slight leak of (I assume coolant) under the passenger side front of the car, and also it is fairly sluggish at lower speeds so questions are:-

1.) Could a blown head gasket cause Thermostat to break?

2.) If they were running the car for ages without replacing the thermostat and the car wasnt getting hot enough would this cause the oil to go a bit gunky?

3.) Would a blown head gasket cause sluggishness at low speeds (its fine when above 40!, my wife did mention she went 80 the other day without noticing!)

4.) Can a blown head gasket cause a coolant leakage away from the actual engine block?

The car was extremely well looked after it was a main dealer Skoda, and surely if the oil was well and truly gunked up then this would have been mentioned on the service report (done by Nationwide auto centres) done a few days before we picked it up!

Sorry to ramble on a bit

Hi I have a question about my wifes 52 plate Fabia 1.4MPI which we bought 2 months ago. When we went to pick it up the guy had just taken it out for a clean to the car wash so the engine was hot, I didnt drive it on the test drive either as I let my wife as it was going to be her car. ANyway when I drove it from cold I noticed that even after about 5 miles the engine was still cold so I asked my wife if it was when she drove it but obviously she couldnt remember (women!)

When I checked it over I did notice that there was slight creaming on the oil filler cap but it had just had a service so the oil was fine but now I am starting to put things together! would a blown head gasket cause the thermostat to break? we have had this replaced and it doesnt overheat at all and comes upto temperature however I have noticed that when the car has been used there is a slight leak of (I assume coolant) under the passenger side front of the car, and also it is fairly sluggish at lower speeds so questions are:-

1.) Could a blown head gasket cause Thermostat to break?

2.) If they were running the car for ages without replacing the thermostat and the car wasnt getting hot enough would this cause the oil to go a bit gunky?

3.) Would a blown head gasket cause sluggishness at low speeds (its fine when above 40!, my wife did mention she went 80 the other day without noticing!)

4.) Can a blown head gasket cause a coolant leakage away from the actual engine block?

The car was extremely well looked after it was a main dealer Skoda, and surely if the oil was well and truly gunked up then this would have been mentioned on the service report (done by Nationwide auto centres) done a few days before we picked it up!

Sorry to ramble on a bit

Hello

I do think myself that you may be worrying a bit too much

Coolant leak on the passenger front could be down to the rad fan switch seal leaking

Check coolant temp sensor too for the car not getting up to temp

The gunk on the oil cap may be down to small journies too

But , can I ask is yours the 8valve or 16 valve?

Sarah

Hello

I do think myself that you may be worrying a bit too much

Coolant leak on the passenger front could be down to the rad fan switch seal leaking

Check coolant temp sensor too for the car not getting up to temp

The gunk on the oil cap may be down to small journies too

But , can I ask is yours the 8valve or 16 valve?

Sarah

Hi Sarah

We have replaced the Thermostat and temp sensor and gauge is fine now I think its the 8valve but not 100% certain

Hi Sarah

We have replaced the Thermostat and temp sensor and gauge is fine now I think its the 8valve but not 100% certain

Does it have rear brake discs or has it got drums?

Sarah

Ha ha you can tell how much I know about cars! I think they are drums in which case must be 8V?

Hi Yes

16v had rear discs , 8v drums

To be fair , the very very earlie 8v`s did have issues with the head gaskets , something to do with the bolts not being at tight as they should be

But then , that did go in to a 5th year of warranty , but that would be long long past now , and all of the ones that had issues was done all but straight away , as the bolts was loose

Then as the new gasket was put on , then that would be it , nothing else to worry about

I would think nothing really , as this was based on the 1289cc Felicia engine , as they was the old push rod engine , and they are quite a strong one

My feelings would be , it should be OK

Sarah

Thanks for your help I appreciate it

No worries

Keep an eye on it

Fingers crossed for you my dear

Sarah