Hiya,

I recently bought a 1.9 Fabia 3 TDI. I've noticed that when the cars warm, when sitting in neutral there's a little extra engine noise as such. If i press in the clutch, the noise goes away, release the clutch pedal it comes back.

Also when changing gear, I can sometimes hear the clutch bite (not quite a clunk, but can hear it engage).

Is this normal? Or is something broken already :( Its only done 18k and is a 57 plate.

Hi Confused,

Relax, all is well. It's normal to hear a change in the engine note at idle when you put your foot on the clutch pedal and press it down. Normally, the engine becomes quieter as you do this. The noise you can hear at idle with your foot off the clutch is the clutch release bearing. They have a tendency to rattle lightly or be a slightly noisy as they rotate...this is normal unless it is so noisy it is very irritating to the driver. The other noise you refer to is just the transmission taking up the drive ie: the clutch disc interacting with the clutch cover assembly and the flywheel. The transmissions on the Fabia's are not the quietest but inline with most other makes and models on the market.

Thanks for the reply Put my mind at ease a bit. My mk1 vrs only had a very slight tone change when dipping the clutch at idle, is a little more pronounced on this mk2. Gear changes etc. are nice and smooth so is hopefully nothing and is just me worrying too much!

Yes, new car and new noises that sometimes we focus on because they were either not there or much less on our last vehicle. Been there and had that myself. If you are concerned you can always pop into your dealer for a quick chat about it. I haven't yet seen any fabia's with a problem though in that area. These engine and gearbox units will go 500,000 miles without too much of a problem with just standard consumable replacements etc, (and that may include a new clutch unit with that bearing). And I've seen several now with that mileage but in Octavias. I've seen a Fabia with 235,000 miles on the clock that had your engine and gearbox unit in it. Errr....no, I don't mean it actually had your engine and gearbox unit in it, it was one of the same type...if you see what I mean! Are you pleased with the car?

My Fabia (not a TDI , its an MPI) has made that noise since I bought it over 5 years ago , its never got any worse. Still on its original clutch and release bearing at 10.5 years old and 51K on the clock,

That's good to know Have booked it in for my local friendly Skoda dealer to have a quick look at while its under warranty for peace of mind.

It doesn't feel as *tight* as my VRS did in corners and the engines not quite as powerful, but its a much nicer place to be. The 'Dance' stereo is actually surprisingly punchy too, so much so i have no will to replace it (normally the first thing i do!).

Trip computer is telling me i'm averaging 65 mpg daily, not sure how accurate that is though! Cruise control freaks me out lol never used it before. Climate control is nice, although I hate having to have the fans spinning just so i can set the vent temperature!

They are very good on fuel...and the power is there too when you want it. These PD engines have quite a wallop up their jumper!! Enjoy...and let us all know how you get on at the garage regarding the clutch bearing noise if you will.

Bye for now.

Local skoda dealer did a fair few miles in it, said it was fine and the sounds were normal! Thanks guys

My mk1 vrs did this and i believed it was the dual mass flywheel rattling about unfortunately 30k later the main shaft in the gearbox goes boom

If its noticebly louder id get it checked under warranty

After 5 trips to Skoda they've told me its probably the input shaft bearing... going in for a gearbox strip down on the 28th under warranty

Glad I persisted with this after being told by several mechanics it was fine :( Been so much grief

OK well i was without my car for near enough 4 weeks while they sorted it :( They replaced all gearbox bearings and *skimmed* something in the gearbox.

Noise is still there though, but they're insisting its not as bad as it was before. I personally think it is. Taken it to another dealer and they agree there's noise, but they can't investigate because they won't get paid under warranty to do so :(

Phoned customer services, and they're trying to sort it out for me but I don't have very high hopes.

So fed up with this I just want a car that's okay :( Looking like it might not be a very happy Christmas at this rate.

Hi confused,

Bit of a saga eh! I wonder if they meant 'Shimmed' rather than 'Skimmed'. It could be either. The gearbox main shaft sometimes rattles and shimming this shaft often cures it. On the other hand they may have skimmed the gearbox face to improve alignment. Very very unusual to get something like this. Please keep letting us all know how you get on mate! Good luck.

TBH, he may of said shimmed... was a bad phone line.

Its going back to them on Monday :( So fed up with this car I may have to sell it